The Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph welcomed its 32nd commander during a ceremony steeped in military tradition this morning.
Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh presided as Lieutenant General Darryl Roberson assumed command and General Robin Rand relinquished command. Rand says he's fond of San Antonio.
With the transfer of authority the command goes from a four-star rank to a three-star rank. It's not the first time a three-star general has been in charge, but it's been a four-star position since 1992. Incoming commander Lieutenant General Roberson says it shouldn't make a difference in terms of influence because he still has a direct line to his boss, the chief of staff, and because of the sheer size of San Antonio and the amount of missions, airmen, soldiers and Marines.
The Air Education and Training Command recruits, trains and educates all airmen -- officer and enlisted -- before they go on to employ air power. Perhaps the Air Force chief of staff said it best. “So if you don’t remember anything else today, please remember this. Air power, it’s the jalapeno in your chili.”
As Roberson takes command, Rand and his four-star rank will move to the Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
*Additional Reporting Contributed By Joey Palacios
