'The Mighty Eighth' changes command

  • Published
  • By Carla Pampe
  • Eighth Air Force Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Leadership of Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) changed hands June 1 when Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter assumed command from Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., becoming the 48th commander of "The Mighty Eighth." 

Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony, with Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of U.S. Strategic Command.
Before the actual ceremony, General Corley praised the men and women of 8th Air Force. 

"For six decades, Airman have bravely have fought, stood guard, and honed their warfighting skills, and they've done it inside 'The Mighty Eighth' Air Force," he said. 

"They've defended freedom, they've defended our homeland and they've defended our great way of life and we should cherish and honor them." 

Before relinquishing command, General Elder bid farewell to his troops. 

"It's been my privilege and a great honor to serve the professional Airmen of 'The Mighty Eighth' Air Force - to serve with you. I'll continue to look with pride as you continue to do the same thing with General Carpenter. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives." 

General Elder officially retires July 1 after more than 33 years of service. 

After officially taking command of "The Mighty Eighth," General Carpenter addressed his troops for the first time. 

"I am very humbled and honored to assume command of this historic unit, whose leaders have included ... great men like Ira Eaker, Jimmy Doolittle, and of course General Harris, General Chilton, General Elder, just to name a few," he said. "Men and women of 'The Mighty Eighth,' you are truly part of an amazing fighting unit that has made legendary contributions to airpower." 

As he recalled the unit's historic past, he also called for its members to look toward the future. 

"Our nation calls on us to stay one step ahead of those who threaten our freedom. We have come through some tumultuous times in our nuclear mission of late, but we've turned that corner," he said. "We are a more capable deterrent force than we've ever been, and we'll continue to get better." 

As the commander of "the Mighty Eighth," General Carpenter oversees the wartime readiness of 41,000 active-duty military, Air National Guard, Reserve and civilian people and nine wings. Eighth Air Force is one of three active-duty Numbered Air Forces in Air Combat Command. 

General Carpenter takes over 8th Air Force from a position as the Vice Commander for the Numbered Air Force. Prior to that, he served as the Director, Airman Development and Sustainment, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Carpenter is a 1977 graduate of Texas A&M University. He holds a Master of Science degree in national security management from the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, and directed combat forces in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

General Carpenter is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours.