News United States Air Force
 Gorenc assumes command of USAFE, AFAFRICA, Allied Air CommandPublished Aug. 5, 2013
                        
                        By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
                        
                        
                        U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
                **RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --**
                Three consecutive generations of U.S. Air Forces in Europe commanders and the U.S. Africa Command deputy commander took to the stage as Gen. Frank Gorenc assumed command of USAFE, U.S. Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command during a ceremony here Aug. 2.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III voiced his confidence in the new commander, lauding his previous accomplishments.
"He earned the privilege of attending the (U.S.) Air Force Academy and was recognized at every stop as the very best at what he did," Welsh said. "He is made of 100 percent pure leadership, and there is no one better for this job."
Welsh and Gorenc worked together here a little more than a year ago when Welsh was the USAFE commander and Gorenc commanded the 3rd Air Force. 
In closing, Welsh gave Gorenc one task regarding his new Airmen.
"Frank, I only have one tasker for you," Welsh said. "Take a look around this hangar at the Airmen of USAFE and AFAFRICA ... your Airmen. I need you to lead them. I need you to inspire them. I need you to take care of them."
Gorenc's immediate predecessor, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, echoed Welsh's confidence in Gorenc.
"Frank, you are an exceptionally talented leader who will be an outstanding commander of USAFE, of Allied Air Command and of AFAFRICA," Breedlove said.
Breedlove closed his remarks by emphasizing the need to maintain and improve partnerships with our allies and improve crisis response capability around the world with smaller, more capable, quick-reaction forces.
"This command -- your command, Frank -- stands shoulder to shoulder with our allied and partner nations across Europe, ensuring our collective freedom," he said.
However, the responsibility of the new USAFE-AFAFRICA commander does not stop at the borders of Europe.
"The men and women of U.S. Air Forces Africa are an integral part of the Africa Command strategy and their contributions are a major factor in our success," said Marine Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, the U.S. Africa Command deputy to the commander for military operations.
"Our Africa partners' air forces are better today because of the training and mentoring provided by the men and women of Air Forces Africa," he said.
During the ceremony, Gorenc accepted the flags for USAFE, AFAFRICA and the Allied Air Command, symbolically assuming command. 
As the new commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA, Gorenc is responsible for a full-spectrum of Air Force war-fighting capabilities in a theater spanning three continents, containing 104 independent states possessing more than one-fifth of the world's population and more than a quarter of the world's gross domestic product.
Looking out over more than 700 service members and allied partners, Gorenc addressed the crowd for the first time as the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander.
He began by thanking his family for their support.
"In 1961, my parents emigrated from Yugoslavia with two small kids, $100, and a vision for success in America," Gorenc said. "Although they have since passed, their dreams became a reality for me and my brother."
Gorenc and his brother Stanley, a retired major general, were both born in what is now Slovenia.
"To the men and women of Air Forces in Europe, Africa and NATO, I want you to know this is a huge moment for me," Gorenc said. "From humble beginnings to four-star command, I am grateful to a country that gave me every opportunity to succeed."
Gorenc also had a few additional words to say to the Airmen working under his command. 
"Operating with integrity, prioritizing service before self, and committing to excellence, Airmen will power the Air Force to 'World's Greatest' status regardless of the challenges of the day," he said. "History validates my view because I have personally observed throughout my 34-year career that when the going gets tough, our Airmen get going."
As Gorenc took command of USAFE, AFAFRICA and Allied Air Command, he said, "To command is an honor and a privilege, but to command here is simply a dream come true."CSAF 



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Welsh Related Links
        GENERAL MARK A. WELSH III
                                June 18, 2015
                                Gen. Mark A. Welsh III is Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 660,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and
            
            FRANK GORENC
                                Sept. 30, 2005
                                Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa, Commander, NATO Allied Air Command and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre
            
            GENERAL PHILIP M. BREEDLOVE
                                Oct. 3, 2014
                                Gen. Philip M. Breedlove is Commander, Supreme Allied Command, Europe, SHAPE, Belgium and Headquarters, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.  General Breedlove was raised in Forest Park, Ga., and was commissioned in 1977 as a distinguished graduate of Georgia Tech's ROTC program. He has been