Air Force announces COMUSAFE retirement

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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) --  The U.S. Air Force announced the retirement of Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Tuesday. As the USAFE commander, he also holds three other titles: commander, Allied Air Component Command Ramstein; air component commander, U.S. European Command, Ramstein AB, Germany; and director, Multinational Joint Air Power Competence Center, Kalkar, Germany.

General Foglesong, who has a doctor of philosophy degree in chemical engineering from West Virginia University, took command of USAFE in August 2003. He earned his wings at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. His aviation career includes more than 4,350 flying hours in various aircraft, primarily in fighter and training assignments in the F-16, F-15, A-10 and AT/T-38. He has been a commander six times. His staff tours include duty as assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C; commander, 12th Air Force; commander, U.S. Southern Command Air Forces; deputy chief of staff for Air and Space Operations and vice chief of staff at Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

He has a number of notable achievements. During the general’s tenure, USAFE stood up the Warfighting Headquarters and educational Centers of Excellence for Expeditionary Operations, Air Dominance and Joint Fires (the application of fire power). The general also led a robust theater security cooperation effort, with more than 60 countries visited and new relationships established in USAFE’s area of operations. Since taking the USAFE flag, he instituted 15 Combat and Special Interest Programs that have significantly improved mission readiness and quality of life throughout the command.

In addition, in August he was inducted into USAFE’s Order of the Sword. Touted as “Airman among Airmen and a leader among leaders” on the proclamation, the general’s induction is the highest honor the Air Force enlisted corps can bestow upon a person. He has authored nearly 60 published articles on scientific, leadership and military subjects. He has an honorary doctorate in strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, and is a member of West Virginia University’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni and well as the Chemical Engineering Academy.

He will be succeeded by Lt. Gen. William T. Hobbins, deputy chief of staff, Warfighting Integration for Headquarters U.S. Air Force and acting chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. General Hobbins was confirmed for appointment to the grade of general and assignment as USAFE commander on Oct. 28, 2005.

General Hobbins is a 1969 Officer Training School graduate and command pilot with more than 4,275 flying hours.