F-16 Fighting Falcon News

June 25, 2006 (by Joachim Jacob) - According to "Stars and Stripes", Col. Darryl Roberson officially assumed command of the 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, from Col. David L. Goldfein during a change-of-command ceremony in the morning hours on June 23.
Roberson, an honors graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, comes to Spangdahlem AB from the Pentagon, where he was assistant deputy director for anti-terrorism and homeland defense in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directorate for operations.

Goldfein was the fighter wing’s commander since July 2004. The news article includes no details about his further career.

Lt. Gen. Robert Bishop, vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, wished Goldfein and Roberson the best of luck. "We're confident that the 52nd's outstanding tradition of mission accomplishment and excellence will continue," he said.

The 52nd FW is the only U.S. Air Force fighter wing in Germany. Assigned are the 22nd and 23rd Fighter Squadrons with F-16CJs, and the 81st Fighter Squadron with A/OA-10AsThunderbolt II ("Warthog").

Spangdahlem AB, located in the so-called Eifel region, is home to about 5,000 servicemembers and about 10,000 Americans. Spangdahlem itself has only about 900 residents and is located some miles east from the town of Bitburg (known for a very good German beer). Spangdahlem is part of the German "Bundesland Rheinland-Pfalz" which is located in the mid-western area of Germany, near the Belgian border.