Honoring a hero

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz pins the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor on the uniform of French air force Maj. Guillaume Vernet July 13, 2011, at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France. Vernet was awarded the decoration for repeatedly flying into hostile territory in December 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan as an exchange officer with the 41st Rescue Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. During that mission, Vernet rescued an urgent casualty whose injury put the lives of 160 British soldiers in jeopardy. (Courtesy photo)

Honoring a hero

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz congratulates French air force Maj. Guillaume Vernet after presenting him with the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor July 13, 2011, at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France. Vernet was awarded the decoration for repeatedly flying into hostile territory in December 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan as an exchange officer with the 41st Rescue Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. During that mission, Vernet rescued an urgent casualty whose injury put the lives of 160 British soldiers in jeopardy. (Courtesy photo)

Gen. Mark A. Welsh III takes command of USAFE

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz gives Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe during a change of command ceremony, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 13, 2010. Gen. Roger A. Brady, outgoing USAFE commander, relinquished command during the change of command ceremony after providing command and control for air, space and missile defense for activities in an area of operations covering almost one-fifth of the globe which included 51 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb Pierce)

Gen. Mark A. Welsh III takes command of USAFE

U.S. Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, gives Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe during a change of command ceremony, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 13, 2010. Gen. Roger A. Brady, outgoing USAFE commander, relinquished command during the change of command ceremony after providing command and control for air, space and missile defense for activities in an area of operations covering almost one-fifth of the globe which included 51 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb Pierce)

Gen. Mark Welsh takes Command of USAFE

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and Betty Welsh pin on the forth star of Gen. Mark A. Welsh III in a brief ceremony immediately before taking command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 13, 2010. Gen. Welsh is responsible for Air Force activities, conducted through 3rd Air Force, in an area of operations covering almost one-fifth of the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Desiree Whitney Esposito)

Medal of Distinction

Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, presents a USAFE Medal of Distinction to Horst Mehlinger, a Germany security liaison who has worked closely with the command for nearly three decades, during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Dec. 8, 2010. The medal is awarded to non-U.S. citizens in recognition of extraordinary service, achievements, or support to the accomplishment of the mission of USAFE. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Kendra Alba)

COMUSAFE visits Spangdahlem, discusses CAF redux

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, speaks to approximately 1,250 Sabers about the proposed combat Air Force’s restructuring, the importance of the Air Force in today’s operations and how Spangdahlem AB fits into the USAFE mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson)

COMUSAFE visits Spangdahlem, discusses CAF redux

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – Master Sgt. Jason Hall, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron, explains to General Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, commander, the new processes they are implementing to streamline maintenance on aircraft here Jan. 8. During General Brady’s visit with the 52nd EMS he emphasized the importance of innovating and standardizing procedures throughout the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson)

USAFE vice commander receives flu shot

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Maj. Gen. Marc Rogers, U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander, receives a flu shot from Staff Sgt. Ericka Pinder, 435th Medical Special Operations Clinic. Immunization is the key to seasonal influenza epidemics that occur annually in the U.S. According to the Air Force 2008-2009 Influenza Immunization Program Guidance, estimates of influenza-related events include 95 million infections, 25 million physician visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and 36,000 deaths annually in the United States. Air Force medical staff will administer influenza vaccines either through a shot or nasal mist spray, depending on established personal health or duty requirements, to all military members, and offer vaccines to eligible beneficiaries as appropriate. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Caleb Pierce)

COMUSAFE receives flu shot

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Gen. Roger Brady, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, receives a flu shot from Staff Sgt. Ericka Pinder, 435th Medical Special Operations Clinic. Immunization is the key to seasonal influenza epidemics that occur annually in the U.S. According to the Air Force 2008-2009 Influenza Immunization Program Guidance, estimates of influenza-related events include 95 million infections, 25 million physician visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and 36,000 deaths annually in the United States. Air Force medical staff will administer influenza vaccines either through a shot or nasal mist spray, depending on established personal health or duty requirements, to all military members, and offer vaccines to eligible beneficiaries as appropriate. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Stephen Otero)

Four-star greeting

It was a warm greeting on a cold morning between Gen.-Col. Anatoliy Yakovich Toropchyn (left), Commander in Chief of the Ukrainian Air Forces, and Gen. Tom Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander, during a four-day visit focused on bilateral relations. During his visit, General Toropchyn visited Ramstein Air Base to meet with senior USAFE leadership and receive familiarization of organizational missions, air operations/planning, and enlisted/officer training and development. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Chuck Roberts)

Gen. Hobbins presents coin to TSgt. Johns

Gen. Tom Hobbins presents a coin to Tech. Sgt. Derek Johns from the 420th Munitions Squadron during the general's visit to Royal Air Force Fairford, England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Jon Nicolussi)