New leadership at Eighth Air Force

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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  Leadership of Eighth Air Force changed hands Aug. 10 when Lt. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton assumed command from Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson, becoming the 45th commander of the Mighty Eighth.

General Carlson has been assigned as the commander of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony, with Lt. Gen. C. Robert Kehler, deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command.

As you supporters, members and former members of Eighth Air Force well know, the Mighty Eighth has a storied and envied history across its life - a life of courageous, committed and innovative Airmen, General Keys said. It was those committed Airmen who began the great legend of Eighth Air Force, fought and died in World War II, grew to the Mighty Eighth that could generate 2000 bomber and 1000 fighter sorties, and birthed what is now USAFE, and Strategic Air Command.

"Today, just as we did through the Cold War, the Mighty Eighth still provides the muscle of our air breathing nuclear deterrent, he added. What you may not appreciate is that Eighth Air Force is continuing to lead all parts of our Air Forces vision of global vigilance, global reach, and global power - the ability to see first, understand first, and act first.

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

There have been a significant number of changes in Eighth Air Force over the past 39 months, he said. Weve been through three (Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotations) celebrated the 60th anniversary of Eighth Air Force earned an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award rebuilt the headquarters literally from ashes and participated in the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2004 and Blue Flag May 2001.

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

As we in Eighth Air Force look to the future we will remain committed to three things; victory today, change for sustained dominance, and readiness at all times, he said. We can ill afford to allow ourselves to be distracted from the imperatives to win todays war while preparing for the unpredictable threats that will surely arise to challenge America in the 21st century.

He added that the Mighty Eighth has the tools to cope with these challenges and sustain the Air Force Vision of global reach, global power and global vigilance.

As the commander of the Mighty Eighth, Chilton oversees the wartime readiness of approximately 240 aircraft, 43,100 active-duty military, Air National Guard, Reserve and civilian people and 11 wings. Eighth Air Force is one of three active-duty numbered air forces in Air Combat Command.

Chilton comes to Eighth Air Force from a position as acting Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Chilton is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1976. A Guggenheim Fellow, he completed a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering at Columbia University. He flew operational assignments in the RF-4C and F-15 and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.