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Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force commander, returns a salute to Lt. Col. Mike Mench, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa band commander, during the 3rd Air Force assumption of command ceremony June 11.
Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson assumed command of 3rd Air Force during a ceremony June 11 on Ramstein.
Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, presided over the ceremony and expressed appreciation for the hard work and dedication the Airmen of 3rd Air Force displayed over the past two years.
Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, speaks about the new 3rd Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, and his accomplishments during the 3rd Air Force assumption of command ceremony June 11 on Ramstein.
“They have enabled over 24,000 combat hours, which has allowed the command to project airpower for six combatant commands over 104 countries, proving that we are forward, we are ready and we are ready now,” Gorenc said.
Gorenc went on to welcome Roberson and his family to the command position.
“We turn the page on yet another chapter in the history of this outstanding unit,” Gorenc said. “The Air Force has another fantastic leader in the bullpen, and we are excited to have General Roberson as the commander. I am completely confident you and Cheryl will lead 3rd Air Force to new heights.”
Roberson comes to 3rd Air Force from his previous assignment as the vice director of operations on the joint staff in Washington, D.C. However, this is not his first time in Europe.
Roberson was previously the 52nd Fighter Wing commander at Spangdahlem Air Base from 2006 to 2008. But his first experience in Europe was in 1985 when he was assigned to Ramstein flying F-4 Phantoms in the 526th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He then flew the same plane at Spangdahlem in the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
“It is a great honor and pleasure to take command of 3rd Air Force,” Roberson said. “Our mission is clear: to be ready now, to answer the call for airpower.”
The general said the 3rd AF needs to be ready to direct assigned air forces and build partnership capacity with coalition partners. He also spoke of the challenges the Air Force is facing in the current austere fiscal environment.
“Together with our allies and partners, our friends, there is no challenge that is going to be presented to 3rd Air Force that we won’t overcome,” he said.
Roberson ended his remarks by expressing his gratitude to the men and women of 3rd AF.
“It is truly my honor to be your commander,” he said. “Together we will confront many challenges, but it will be your talents, capabilities and your innovation that is going to make us successful. Remember our priorities: mission, Airmen, innovation.”
