Philip Mark Breedlove (born September 21, 1955) is a four-star general in the United States Air Force who currently serves as the Commander, U.S. European Command as well as the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO Allied Command Operations. He previously served as the Commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe which he concurrently served as Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa, Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center. He previously served as the 36th Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from January 14, 2011 to July 27, 2012. He assumed his current assignment on July 31, 2012. On 10 May 2013, in a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, Breedlove took over the command of USEUCOM. Three days later, on 13 May 2013, he assumed co