General Brady assumes command of USAFE

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joel Harper
  • HQ USAFE Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  General Roger A. Brady ceremonially assumed command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe Jan. 17.

General Brady, who previously worked as the deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, begins his term as USAFE commander eight years after he last left the command as its director of Plans and Programs.

"It is a great honor to serve as commander of USAFE," General Brady said. "I look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence with the men and women who partner with our friends in Europe and Africa."

General Brady shared his admiration for the contributions of USAFE Airmen and gave credit to his predecessor, Gen. William T. Hobbins, for his accomplishments.

"I've joined a great team," General Brady said. "I want to continue the tradition of excellence that's been established over decades with this command."

Facing today's challenges while developing Airmen is a priority, the general said.

"We need to be ready to fight tonight if we have to," General Brady said. "The most important weapon we have is our people. We must ensure they are ready to do the job and are appropriately trained, equipped and ready to go."

USAFE must also prepare for the challenges of tomorrow by continuing to develop Airmen and increase interoperability with NATO and other European partners, the general added.

Joining General Brady at the ceremony was Chief Master Sgt. Pamela A. Derrow, the new USAFE command chief master sergeant. Chief Derrow replaces Chief Gary Coleman, who will retire. Chief Derrow comes from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. where she served as commandant of the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

"USAFE Airmen have always risen to the challenge, no matter what the task," Chief Derrow said. "I am humbled to join this fine team, and I look forward to working with our Airmen to continue this legacy of success."

The ceremony was officiated by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Army Gen. John Craddock. Also attending the ceremony were air chiefs and representatives of several nations and senior U.S. and German government officials.

General Brady entered the Air Force in 1969 as a graduate of the University of Oklahoma ROTC program. He has commanded a support group and flying training wing, and was vice commander of an air logistics center. General Brady has also served as a director of personnel, logistics, plans and programs, and operations at three Air Force major commands.

General Brady's experience in deployed operations includes service in Vietnam, deployment of NATO forces in support of Operation Desert Storm, securing coalition support for the stand-up of expeditionary wings during Operation Allied Force, and providing Total Force and Civil Reserve Air Fleet air mobility support to operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

General Brady is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, T-1 Jayhawk, KC-135 Stratotanker, C-21 and C-5 Galaxy. 

As USAFE commander, General Brady also has 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.

Lt. Gen. Robert D. "Rod" Bishop Jr. served as interim commander since the Dec. 10 retirement ceremony of General Hobbins, who was the USAFE commander the past two years. General Bishop will continue his duties as commander of 3rd Air Force.

General Brady was promoted to the rank of general and took command of USAFE at a Jan. 9 ceremony at the Pentagon. General Brady formally assumed all of his duties, including his NATO and USEUCOM roles, upon his arrival earlier this week.

General Brady will direct air operations in a theater spanning three continents, covering more than 20 million square miles, containing 91 countries and possessing one-fourth of the world's population and about one-third of the world's Gross Domestic Product. 

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page