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Breedlove Reflects on Career, Changes in Europe

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With the Cold War ongoing and the Berlin Wall dividing the eastern and western sectors of the German city, a young Air Force officer named Philip M. Breedlove saw a much different Europe than what exists today, the now four-star general recalled.

"It's nearly 33 years since Captain Breedlove first served in Europe," the retiring general said yesterday in Mons, Belgium, where he passed command as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe to Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

Breedlove held the NATO post in a dual-hatted role as commander of U.S. European Command. Scaparrotti became the new Eucom commander in a May 3 ceremony at the command's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

Breedlove, who is retiring after 39 years of military service, said he served in eight different assignments in Europe over his career. In addition to the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, he noted many positive changes in Europe's political and security landscape over that time.

"We saw peace, and we saw our values spread. We saw former adversaries become valued allies and partners and in every stage," Breedlove said.

Current Challenges

But, he said, many challenges, including an aggressive Russia, have emerged in just the three years since he assumed the Eucom and NATO command roles.

"My career started here in a Cold War trying to keep the peace” he said in Stuttgart. “I think my career is now ending here trying to prevent a Cold War and continue to keep the peace."

In addition to Russia's behavior, other challenges for Europe that have emerged recently include terrorism and mass migration, Breedlove said. "My, how this world has changed," he added. But with each challenge, he said, Eucom and NATO have stood strong.

End of Distinguished Military Career

Breedlove was commissioned in 1977 as a distinguished graduate of Georgia Tech’s ROTC program. He is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours, primarily in the F-16. He has flown combat missions in Operation Joint Forge supporting the peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and in Operation Joint Guardian to implement the peace settlement in Kosovo.

His assignments include service as commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Air Forces Africa and NATO’s Headquarters Allied Air Command and as director of the alliance’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre.

He served as the senior military assistant to the secretary of the Air Force; as the vice director for strategic plans and policy on the Joint Staff; as the deputy chief of staff for Air Force operations, plans and requirements; and as Air Force vice chief of staff.

Saying Farewell to Europe, Military

"You are an amazing team, I've said more than once -- small, but mighty. Count me lucky for having been a part of it," he told the men and women of Eucom.

At the ceremonies in Stuttgart and Mons, the general expressed his gratitude to the host nations for their warmth and hospitality, and he cited the hard work the commands have done to promote peace and security, strengthen alliances, and build cooperation.

"As I leave Europe and end my career, I do it with great memories," he said in Mons.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)

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