Gen. Hester announces his retirement for Jan. 1, 2008

Published April 27, 2007

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) -- Gen. Paul V. Hester, Commander, Pacific Air Forces, announced his retirement today. His announcement coincides with the Department of Defense naming Lt. Gen. Carrol "Howie" Chandler as the next Pacific Air Forces commander. Gen. Chandler was also nominated for his fourth star.

Gen. Hester assumed command of PACAF in July 2004 and says that despite this retirement announcement, he does not plan to change the way he does business.

"I anticipate a change of command ceremony sometime in November," Gen. Hester said. "There's six months between now and then and that's six months to continue to do America's work in the Pacific; working plans and programs that affect our Air Force units. My focus remains on Airmen, their families and the joint fight in the Asian/Pacific Area of Operations. My focus is the same today as it was yesterday before this announcement was made."

Along with his wife Lynda, Gen. Hester plans to retire in Texas.