MAGAZINE
FALL 2019 who is
SACEUR
Gen . Tod Wolters , U . S . Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander , speaks during a press conference at Royal Air Force Lakenheath , England , April 19 , 2017 . The press conference was held for the visiting F-35 Lightning II ’ s at RAF Lakenheath . ( U . S . Air Force photo / Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield )
General Tod D . Wolters assumed duties as NATO ’ s 19th Supreme Allied Commander Europe ( SACEUR ) on May 3 , 2019 . As SACEUR , he is one of NATO ’ s two strategic commanders and commands Allied Command Operations ( ACO ), which is responsible for the planning and execution of all Alliance operations . He is responsible to NATO ’ s Military Committee for the conduct of all NATO military operations .
General Wolters previously served as Commander Allied Air Command ; Commander , U . S . Air Forces in Europe ; Commander , U . S . Air Forces Africa , headquartered at Ramstein Air Base , Germany , and Director , Joint Air Power Competence Centre , Kalkar , Germany .
General Wolters received his commission in 1982 as a graduate of the U . S . Air Force Academy . He has been assigned to numerous operational command and staff positions , and has completed nine overseas tours , including two tours in Afghanistan . He commanded the 19th Fighter Squadron , the 1st Operations Group , the 485th Air Expeditionary Wing , the 47th Flying Training Wing , the 325th Fighter Wing , the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan , and the 12th Air Force .
General Wolters fought in operations Desert Storm , Southern Watch , Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom . He served in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force as Legislative Liaison Director and in headquarters staff positions at U . S . Pacific Command , Headquarters U . S . Air Force and Air Force Space Command . Prior to commanding U . S . Air Forces in Europe and U . S . Air Forces Africa , General Wolters served as the Joint Staff Director for Operations . He is a combat-experienced command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours in the F-15C , F-22 , OV-10 , T-38 , and A-10 aircraft .
General Wolters earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the U . S . Air Force Academy in 1982 , a master ’ s degree in aeronautical science technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1996 , and a master ’ s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College in 2001 . Additionally , he served as a senior executive fellow at Harvard University ’ s John F . Kennedy School of Government in 2004 and a fellow with National Defense University ’ s Pinnacle Course in 2014 .
General Wolters ’ decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , the Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , the Defense Superior Service Medal , the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters , the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster , the Defense Meritorious Service Medal , the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , the Air Medal , the Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters , the Joint Service Commendation Medal , the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Combat Action Medal . LC
Source : https :// shape . nato . int / saceur-2
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