Armenian-American General to Lead NATO’s Allied Air Command

Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Curtis M. Scaparrotti (front left) hands command of Allied Air Command to General Jeffrey L. Harrigian (front right) during a change of command ceremony

U.S. Air Force General Jeffrey L. Harrigian assumed command of NATO’s Allied Air Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and U.S. Air Forces Africa. The proceedings transpired during a ceremony at Ramstein Air Force Base on Wednesday, May 1.

General Harrigian assumed command from U.S. Air Force General Tod D. Wolters, who has been at the helm of Allied Air Command since August 2016. In a ceremony attended by senior military and civilian personnel representing NATO, the United States, Host Nation Germany and local communities, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, conducted the handover of command.

Harrigian will be succeeding General Tod D. Wolters, who earlier this month was nominated to be the next NATO Supreme Allied Commander and commander of U.S. European Command, replacing U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti.

Having graduated from the Colorado Springs, Colorado service academy in 1985, Harrigian is a fighter pilot and U.S. Air Force Academy alumnus. He is the descendant of a survivor of the Armenian Genocide.

Harrigian has more than 4,000 hours flying the F-22, F-15C and MQ-1 Predator. He’s flown combat missions in support of operations Just Cause—the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989, Desert Storm, and Inherent Resolve.

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

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Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS