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Air Force announces leadership change in 'The Mighty Eighth'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. M. Erick Reynolds
  • 8th Air Force Public Affairs
The Department of the Air Force announced this afternoon that Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., commander Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), is planning to retire.

Gen. Elder has been leading "The Mighty Eighth" for three years this June.

"It has been a privilege to serve the nation in uniform for 33 years alongside incredible Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, Gen. Elder said.

"It has been an honor to command 'The Mighty Eighth' Air Force for the past three years. The Airmen of this great organization are proud of their legacy forged in World War II and see an even more important role as we look into the future," he continued.

The general also thanked the Bossier City and Shreveport communities for their support during his command.

"The support from the communities where we've lived has been truly remarkable. Bess and I feel like we have lived here our entire lives. We look forward to continuing this relationship for years to come."

"The Mighty Eighth" serves as the air component headquarters to United States Strategic Command for strategic deterrence and global strike, and operates USSTRATCOM's Joint Air and Space Operations Center. The Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike plans and executes strategic deterrence and global strike operations for USSTRATCOM. General Elder also commanded Task Force 204, which was activated in November 2007 to oversee Air Force nuclear bomber and reconnaissance activities in support of USSTRATCOM.

With headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, La., 8th Air Force is one of four active-duty numbered air forces in Air Combat Command. It serves as the only information operations and bomber war-fighting headquarters, employing decisive global air power for U.S. Joint Forces Command and U.S. Strategic Command and combatant commanders.

Eighth Air Force Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter has been selected to assume command of "The Mighty Eighth" in a ceremony scheduled for June 1.