Philip M. Breedlove

Philip M. Breedlove
NATO · Public domain · source
Name	Philip M. Breedlove
Caption	General Breedlove in 2013
Birth date	July 21, 1955
Birth place	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Serviceyears	1977–2016
Rank	General
Commands	Third Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe, Supreme Allied Commander Europe

Philip M. Breedlove is a retired United States Air Force four-star General who served as the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe and as the commander of United States European Command. He previously held senior leadership positions including commander of United States Air Forces in Europe and commander of Third Air Force, and he is known for his roles in strategic planning, air operations, and alliance management during periods of heightened tension with Russia and operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. Breedlove’s career spans service under multiple Presidents of the United States and cooperation with key NATO and European institutions.

Early life and education

Breedlove was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in the southeastern United States, where he completed secondary education before attending the United States Air Force Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1977. He later attended professional military education schools including the Air War College and earned a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Tennessee. His academic and professional development included coursework and fellowships associated with National War College curricula and interagency seminars that engaged officials from the Department of Defense, Department of State, and allied military academies.

Military career

Breedlove commissioned as a second lieutenant following graduation from the United States Air Force Academy and completed pilot training at bases aligned with the Air Training Command and tactical fighter wings. He served as an operational pilot in aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and participated in assignments at installations including RAF Lakenheath, Nellis Air Force Base, and Eielson Air Force Base. Throughout his career he assumed staff roles in major commands such as Tactical Air Command and Air Combat Command, and worked on operational plans tied to theaters involving the United States Central Command and United States European Command. Breedlove’s staff assignments included positions that coordinated with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and NATO military authorities, contributing to contingency planning and capability development.

NATO and International Roles

Breedlove’s NATO roles encompassed service within Allied command structures and frequent engagement with senior leaders from member states including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey, and the Baltic states. As commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, he coordinated exercises such as Operation Atlantic Resolve, interoperability initiatives with European Defense Agency counterparts, and multinational training tied to the NATO Response Force. His tenure intersected with strategic events involving Russia and responses to geopolitical crises including the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and tensions in Eastern Europe. He worked alongside NATO Secretaries General including Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Jens Stoltenberg and liaised with military representatives from Canada, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium.

Leadership and major operations

As a senior commander, Breedlove oversaw planning and execution of air operations and exercises that supported missions in Afghanistan under International Security Assistance Force frameworks and operations connected to the campaign against ISIS/Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in cooperation with coalition partners such as Australia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. He directed readiness improvements and posture adjustments in Europe including the deployment of rotational forces to eastern NATO members and coordination of air policing missions in the Baltic Air Policing rotation. Breedlove emphasized modernization programs that involved collaboration with defense industry partners including manufacturers of the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and NATO-compatible airlift and tanker platforms, while working with acquisition stakeholders in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Awards and decorations

Breedlove’s decorations reflect a career of operational command and joint service. His awards include high-level United States decorations often presented to senior officers such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and campaign and service medals associated with deployments to Southwest Asia and other theaters. He also received foreign honors from allied governments and NATO recognitions presented by heads of state and defence ministers from countries including Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Romania for contributions to collective defence and multinational cooperation.

Post-retirement activities

After retiring from active duty in 2016, Breedlove engaged in roles with defense-related organizations, think tanks, and advisory boards, collaborating with entities such as the Atlantic Council, private-sector aerospace and defense firms, and educational institutions. He has participated in public discussions and panels alongside former military and diplomatic leaders from United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway on topics including European security, transatlantic cooperation, and deterrence policy. Breedlove has contributed to op-eds and interviews featured in media outlets that focus on international affairs and has provided testimony to legislative bodies including committees of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives on security cooperation and defence posture.

Category:United States Air Force generals Category:Supreme Allied Commanders Europe