Philip Breedlove

Philip Breedlove is a retired United States Air Force General who served as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from 2013 to 2016. During his tenure, he worked closely with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Secretary General of NATO, and Jens Stoltenberg, his successor. Breedlove's leadership played a crucial role in shaping the alliance's response to the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the War in Donbas. He also collaborated with European Union leaders, including Herman Van Rompuy and Jean-Claude Juncker, to address regional security concerns.

● Early Life and Education

Philip Breedlove was born on January 21, 1955, in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in Forest Park, Georgia. He graduated from Forest Park High School and later attended Georgia Tech, where he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering and was a member of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. Breedlove also attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base and later earned a master's degree from National Defense University's Eisenhower School. His education and training were influenced by notable figures such as Jimmy Carter, a fellow Georgia Tech alumnus, and Caspar Weinberger, a former United States Secretary of Defense.

● Military Career

Breedlove's military career spanned over four decades, during which he served in various roles, including as a fighter pilot, commander, and staff officer. He was a member of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and flew the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Breedlove's career was marked by significant events, including the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), where he worked alongside General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and General David Petraeus. He also served under the command of General Colin Powell and General Richard Myers, who played important roles in shaping the United States Armed Forces during the Cold War and the War on Terror.

● Commands and Operations

Breedlove held several key commands, including the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base and the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base. He also served as the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and as the Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein at Ramstein Air Base. Breedlove played a crucial role in several operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he worked with General Tommy Franks and General John Abizaid. He also participated in Operation Unified Protector and Operation Odyssey Dawn, which involved cooperation with NATO allies, including France, United Kingdom, and Canada, under the leadership of Nicolas Sarkozy, David Cameron, and Stephen Harper.

● Awards and Decorations

Throughout his career, Breedlove received numerous awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal (United States), and the Legion of Merit. He was also awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal. Breedlove's awards reflect his dedication to the United States Air Force and his contributions to international security, particularly in the context of NATO operations, where he worked closely with Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

● Later Life and Retirement

After retiring from the United States Air Force in 2016, Breedlove went on to become a distinguished professor at Georgia Tech's Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. He has also served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Atlantic Council and the NATO Association of Canada. Breedlove continues to be involved in international security discussions, often providing commentary on issues related to Russia, Ukraine, and NATO expansion, and has worked with notable figures such as John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Nikki Haley. His expertise has been sought by institutions such as the Brookings Institution, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Category:United States Air Force generals