Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke on Wednesday assumed command of the Continental US NORAD Region—1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) headquartered at Tyndall AFB, Fla. He became the component numbered air force’s first three-star commander. “Taking this billet is a great responsibility, but also a privilege. Defense of our homeland is a sacred trust,” said Clarke, who comes to Tyndall after being US European Command’s senior defense official in Ankara, Turkey. Army Gen. Charles Jacoby, NORAD commander, officiated the change-of-command ceremony, during which Maj. Gen. Garry Dean relinquished command to Clarke. Dean, who led CONR-1st AF since November 2009, is transferring to Naples, Italy, for his new assignment as the deputy chief of staff for operations for NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command. Immediately before the change-of-command ceremony, Clarke received his third star. (Tyndall report by Angela Pope) (See also Generals on the Move.)
Walking the flight line occupied by Blackhawk attack helicopters and American troops on rotation at the “MK” air base in Romania, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted the important strategic value of one of NATO’s newest members Oct. 20 ahead of NATO defense ministerial meetings in Brussels Oct. 21-22.…