ACC, PACAF commanders confirmed

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Herbert Carlisle will be the next commander of Air Combat Command and ACC Vice Commander Lt. Gen. Lori Robinson will be the next commander of Pacific Air Forces, according to a Senate confirmation vote July 23.

Headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, ACC leads America’s Combat Air Forces, with approximately 83,000 active-duty and civilian personnel operating, maintaining, and supporting approximately 1,300 aircraft at more than 50 locations worldwide.

Carlisle has commanded PACAF since 2012. As the commander of PACAF, Carlisle’s primary mission is to provide U.S. Pacific Command integrated expeditionary Air Force capabilities to defend the homeland, promote stability, dissuade/deter aggression and swiftly defeat enemies.

PACAF's area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, covering more than 100 million square miles. The area is home to 50 percent of the world's population in 36 nations and more than one-third of the global economic output. The unique location of the Strategic Triangle (Hawaii-Guam-Alaska) gives the United States persistent presence and options to project the country’s airpower from sovereign territory.

Before being the PACAF commander, Carlisle was the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, Air Force Headquarters Washington, D.C. He also served as the legislative liaison deputy director and director at the office of the secretary of the Air Force. Throughout his career, Carlisle has served in various operational and staff assignments throughout the Air Force and commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group, two wings and a numbered air force.

The general is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours in the AT-38, YF-110 (original designation of the F-4C Phantom II), YF-113 (also known as Mikoyan-Gurevich “MiG-23”), T-38 Talon, F-15 Eagle A/B/C/D, and C-17A Globemaster III.

“My greatest privilege is to continue working for our nation’s Air Force as commander of ACC,” Carlisle said. “I will miss the PACAF family but am truly humbled at the opportunity to continue to lead Airmen through this challenging fiscal time. I am fully confident in Lori’s leadership abilities and welcome her to PACAF. Our Airmen are the cornerstone of the world’s greatest Air Force, and I am eager to continue serving them in this new position.”

Robinson, who has served as ACC’s vice commander since May 2013 will receive her fourth star and become the Air Component commander for U.S. Pacific Command and executive director, Pacific Air Combat operations staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Prior to her position as ACC vice commander, Robinson served as deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command in Southwest Asia. She has also commanded an operations group, a training wing, an air control wing and has deployed as vice commander of the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing, leading more than 2,000 Airmen flying B-1 Lancer, KC-135 Stratotanker and E-3 Sentry in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. She is a senior air battle manager with more than 900 flight hours in the E-3 Sentry and E-8C Joint STARS.

“I'm honored by the faith our leadership have placed in me with this confirmation,” Robinson said. “I also deeply appreciate and value the trust my fellow Airmen have placed in me every day of my service. It has been my privilege to serve the Air Combat Command team and I look forward to doing the same at PACAF. Returning to command is an honor – there is absolutely no greater job in our Air Force than leading Airmen and their families.”

PACAF's primary mission is to provide U.S. Pacific Command integrated expeditionary Air Force capabilities to defend the homeland, promote stability, dissuade/deter aggression and swiftly defeat enemies. The command’s area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, covering more than 100 million square miles. The area is home to 50 percent of the world's population in 36 nations and more than one-third of the global economic output. The unique location of the Strategic Triangle (Hawaii-Guam-Alaska) gives the United States persistent presence and options to project the country’s airpower from sovereign territory.

“Hawk and Lori are impressive leaders whose track records of operational and leadership excellence make them the perfect choice for these critically important missions," said Gen. Mike Hostage, the current commander of Air Combat Command.

Hostage, a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours including 600 combat hours in multiple aircraft, is scheduled to retire after 37 years of commissioned service. He has led ACC since September 2011.

“I am excited for them and the Airmen they'll serve," Hostage said. “There is no doubt the Airmen and missions of Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces will be in great hands.”