Binger takes helm at 10th Air Force

Published Nov. 15, 2011

NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- Brig. Gen. William "Blaze" Binger assumed command of Air Force Reserve Command's 10th Air Force in a ceremony here Nov. 5. He replaces Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, who will become the Air Force deputy inspector general at the Pentagon.

Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., commander of AFRC and chief of the Air Force Reserve, presided at the ceremony.

"This is an exciting time to lead 10th Air Force," said Binger. "I'm honored to be a part of the long blue line of professional Airmen who have commanded the power and vigilance NAF," said Binger, who has more than 4,500 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including 40 combat missions over Iraq.

Binger leads 10th Air Force in the midst of mission changes and adjustments brought on by AFRC's restricting of its three numbered air forces.

"It 's true the re-missioning efforts to gain FOC (Full Operational Capability) status will have the 10th Air Force staff reduce in size and shift its focus to readiness, but this will not be done by luck or chance . . ," Binger said. "I see this change as an opportunity to make our NAF better, more focused and combat ready. It will increase our potential with new missions and a total force integration opportunity with our active-duty component partners."

Tenth Air Force responsibilities encompass all fighter, bomber, special operations, rescue, airborne warning and control, flying training, combat air operations battle staff, remotely piloted aircraft, space and cyber units in AFRC.

When mobilized, or used in a full-time or part-time capacity, these units provide reserve combat capability to Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Pacific Air Forces, Air Force Space Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency.