Philip M. Breedlove

Philip M. Breedlove is a retired general of the United States Air Force who served as the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) from 2013 to 2016. In this dual-hatted role, he also commanded United States European Command (USEUCOM), overseeing all U.S. military forces in the European theater. His tenure was defined by significant geopolitical challenges, including Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Breedlove is known for his forthright assessments of Russian military activities and his advocacy for a robust NATO deterrence posture.

Early life and education

Philip M. Breedlove was born on September 21, 1955, in Forrest City, Arkansas. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology, where he participated in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1977. Following his commissioning as a second lieutenant, he furthered his military education at the United States Air Force Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. He later completed a Master of Science degree in construction management from the Air Force Institute of Technology located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Military career

Breedlove's operational career included multiple flying assignments in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with postings at bases such as Kunsan Air Base in South Korea and Aviano Air Base in Italy. He commanded the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base and later served as Vice Commander of the 9th Air Force and United States Central Command Air Forces during the initial phases of the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. After promotion to major general, he commanded the Ninth Air Force and served as the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force at the Pentagon.

In 2013, following confirmation by the United States Senate, Breedlove assumed the roles of Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of United States European Command, succeeding Admiral James G. Stavridis. His command coincided with a period of heightened tension following the Euromaidan revolution in Ukraine. He was a key architect of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe, overseeing exercises like Operation Atlantic Resolve and advocating for increased defense spending among NATO members. He retired from active duty in May 2016 after nearly four decades of service.

Post-military career and activities

Since retirement, Breedlove has been a prominent voice on transatlantic security, serving as a distinguished professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., and has held advisory roles with organizations like the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He frequently provides commentary on U.S.-Russia relations and NATO strategy for media outlets including CNN, BBC, and The Washington Post, and has testified before committees of the United States Congress.

Personal life

General Breedlove is married and has two children. An accomplished pilot, he has logged over 3,500 flight hours in various aircraft, primarily the F-16 Fighting Falcon. His personal interests include outdoor activities and he maintains a connection to his alma mater, the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Awards and decorations

Breedlove's personal military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal. He is also a recipient of several NATO and international awards, including the French Republic's Legion of Honour and the Polish Armed Forces' Medal "For Merit to the National Defense". His uniform displays the Master Aircrew Badge, Command Pilot Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Category:1955 births Category:United States Air Force generals Category:Recipients of the Legion of Honour Category:Georgia Institute of Technology alumni