Lieutenant General Kresge assumes command of 'Jungle Air Force'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle relinquished command of 13th Air Force to Lt. Gen. Ted Kresge during a ceremony presided over by Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, here Dec. 10.

During the ceremony, General Kresge echoed the thoughts of other senior leaders about the 13th Air Force "Jungle Warriors."

"I'm thrilled to be joining the superb Airmen of 13th Air Force," said Lt. Gen. Kresge, commander 13th Air Force. "You've built an impressive reputation. Before I arrived, various Air Force senior mentors told me that 13th Air Force truly knows its business. That was echoed by senior officers across your MAJCOM staff, and from my brief interaction with you, it's clear I'm joining the A-Team."

General Kresge assumed command of the "Jungle Air Force" after serving as the commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, where he was responsible for shaping the way the Air Force fights through operational training, tactics development and advanced training in air, space and cyberspace at the operational and tactical levels.

"I've only just begun to realize 13th Air Force's critical role in conducting widely diverse air operations across half the globe to ensure stability and security in the Pacific region. I look forward to being part of it, and continuing the strong partnership with PACAF headquarters, our other numbered Air Forces, and the soldiers, sailors and marines that comprised the unbeatable Pacific Command."

The general is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the, T-37 Tweet, AT-38 and T-38 Talon, and the F-15 Eagle. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in political science at the U.S. Air force Academy in 1980, and later a master's degree in human resource management at Troy State University in Montgomery, Ala.

As the 13th Air Force commander, General Kresge is responsible for the command, control and execution of air, space and information operations capabilities across the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations, excluding the Korean theater. He serves as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander and, when designated, as the Commander of Air Force Forces during operations or contingency. The general also provides oversight and direction to the 15th Airlift Wing here; the 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam; the 1st Air Support Operations Group, Fort Lewis, Wash.; and 12 additional units in Japan, Alaska and California.

Gen. Carlisle thanked the members of 13th Air Force for a job well done.

"This day has come way too fast for me," Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle said during the ceremony. "I count myself tremendously fortunate to have had this command opportunity."

"To the incredible Airmen and their families of 13th Air Force, you have accomplished the impossible and have made a tremendous impact throughout this command and beyond," he said. "To our Airmen, Sailor, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, it has been my distinct honor to serve beside you here in the Pacific and I have no doubt you will continue to stand guard for our nation and meet all the challenges we face now and in the future."

General Carlisle will return to the Pentagon, where he will serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.