Senior U.S. military officer in U.K. passes torch

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • 3rd AF-UK Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, United Kingdom --  The senior United States military officer in the United Kingdom, Maj. Gen. Jack B. Egginton, handed over the reins to Maj. Gen. Mark R. Zamzow here today.

General Egginton has served as the 3rd Air Force vice commander, which is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, since October 2007. In addition, as U.S. European Command's senior military representative to the British government, he represents all U.S. military forces based in the United Kingdom.

"It was great for my wife and I to make our way back to the United Kingdom. This assignment has been one of the highlights of my career," General Egginton said. "We've seen many changes and developments which I'm proud to have been a part of."

As the component numbered air force for USEUCOM, 3rd Air Force is responsible for supporting the command at the operational and tactical levels. The NAF also supports the USEUCOM commander with directing all U.S. Air Forces in Europe engaged in contingency and wartime operations within the area of responsibility.

The dual-hatted vice commander and senior military liaison said this is a one-of-a-kind job providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"There's no equal job stateside that I'm aware of. All NAF vice commanders are co-located with his or her commander; they strictly work NAF issues," General Egginton explained. "The third air force vice commander job is very nontraditional due solely to our very special relationship with the British."

The two generals have shared time together recently to allow the new vice to get accustomed to the unique job here.

"I anticipate a very busy assignment since there are responsibilities in the U.K. as well as in Germany," General Zamzow said. "But I'm certainly looking forward to getting immersed in my new position."

General Egginton said his departure from the United Kingdom will come with sadness, but he's confident he's leaving the U.S. forces in good hands.

"He's proven himself as a terrific commander; but more importantly, he's a terrific guy," General Egginton said. "You can't buy the experience he brings to the table."

General Zamzow is no stranger to busy assignments. Prior to this, his first USAFE assignment, he spent 13 months in Baghdad as the deputy director of the Strategic Effects Directorate for Multi-National Force-Iraq.

"My deployment to Baghdad was clearly the busiest and most challenging assignment I've ever had. Yet from a professional and personal perspective, it was also the most satisfying - we're making a tremendously positive impact in Iraq," General Zamzow said. 

The 31-year veteran also had two assignments in Japan, spanned the continental United States, and has deployed several times. He's served as commander of an airlift squadron, operations group, airlift wing and air mobility wing. Beyond his recent deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, General Zamzow also deployed as the Director of Mobility Forces for Operation Joint Guard in 1997, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and Joint Task Force-Katrina in 2005.

Both two-star generals are rated as command pilots, having begun their military careers in the cockpit. General Egginton earned his wings in fighter aircraft, where his successor took to the skies flying airlift and tanker aircraft.

"U.S. Air Force aircraft in the United Kingdom represent a wide assortment of the military's flying inventory. Both the fighter- and mobility-pilot perspectives are one important aspect of managing the U.S. forces in an overseas environment such as this," General Egginton said.

The new vice commander said his flying experience has helped shape the person he is today; although, as his predecessor states, it's only one facet of his success. To be effective, he explained, a good leader will rely on an overall breadth of experience, including command and staff positions.

"There is no one specific thing that makes a leader successful," General Zamzow said. "It's instead how each Airman integrates the myriad leadership tools and techniques he's learned over the years. At the end of the day, it's all about your people and how well you empower, motivate and inspire them."

Third Air Force units include the headquarters staff at both Ramstein and Mildenhall, the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center, nine wings and three stand-alone groups throughout Europe.

General Egginton will be taking on the role as USAFE's director of air and space operations, Ramstein AB, at the end of the month.


For questions or interview considerations, please call the 3rd Air Force Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Kelley Jeter at 01638-54-3610 or e-mail 3af-uk.pa@mildenhall.af.mil .