Jennifer H. Svan

Jennifer reports on the U.S. military from Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she writes about the Air Force, Army and DODEA schools. She’s had previous assignments for Stars and Stripes in Japan, reporting from Yokota and Misawa air bases. Before Stripes, she worked for daily newspapers in Wyoming and Colorado. She’s a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

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Gen. James B. Hecker, the new U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa commander, speaks during a change of command ceremony on June 27, 2022, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Hecker assumed command of both USAFE-AFAFRICA and NATO Allied Air Command, headquartered at Ramstein, while also taking on the role as director of the Joint Air Power Competence Center at Kalkar, Germany.

New commander gets fourth star, takes charge of airmen in Europe and Africa

Gen. James Hecker became commander Monday of more than 30,000 airmen and an air operations network spread across three continents, taking the reins in a ceremony that saw five four-star leaders on one stage.

Chief Master Sgt. Jeremiah Grisham, the command chief of the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 14, 2022. Grisham hopes his experience of serving in the Air Force for more than 24 years as a gay airmen can lend hope and inspiration to others in the LGBTQ+ community.

Openly gay Air Force command chief at Ramstein lends voice of personal experience for Pride Month

U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa commander Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian passes the 3rd Air Force guidon to the unit’s new commander Maj. Gen. Derek France, at an assumption-of-command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 22, 2022. At center is Command Chief Master Sergeant Heriberto Diaz.

3rd Air Force welcomes new fighter pilot boss with experience in Europe, downrange

Two German air force Tornados take off for a demonstration flight at Buechel Air Base, Germany, May 7, 2022. About 20 U.S. nuclear warheads are believed to be stored at Buechel, a German air force base near the city of Cochem, about 43 miles from Spangdahlem Air Base.

German public changes mind on presence of US nukes, with 52% now in favor, poll reveals

A bird eye’s view of the hills and valley below Lichtenberg Castle – also known as Kusel Castle – can be seen from the top of a watch tower on the castle grounds. The castle ruins, which dates back more than 800 years, is one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. It’s located about 30 minutes from Ramstein Air Base in the village of Thallichtenberg in Kusel county, Germany.

Photogenic German castle delivers standout portrait pics along with places galore to explore

It’s officially named Lichtenberg Castle, but Americans call it Kusel Castle. One of the largest castle complexes in Germany, the sprawling grounds date back more than 800 years and are mostly ruins.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jared Graham, a member of the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and wife Laura pose with sons Dino and Tyson in their new all-terrain wheelchairs in 2021. The Grahams received a special needs grant offered by the Air Force Aid Society to purchase the adventurous wheels for their sons, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors as a family.

Ramstein among 9 bases where Air Force Aid Society’s new process is being tested

The change should make it more convenient for airmen and their families to request emergency financial assistance as well as speed up the payment process.

As health authorities in Europe and elsewhere roll out vaccines and drugs to stamp out the biggest monkeypox outbreak beyond Africa, in 2022, some doctors are acknowledging an ugly reality: The resources to slow the disease’s spread have long been available, just not to the Africans who have dealt with it for decades.

US service member in Germany infected with monkeypox

The case in Stuttgart is believed to be the first such diagnosis in the U.S. military.

The Pentagon announced June 9, 2020 that Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley has been appointed to the rank of general, with an assignment as the next leader of U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

Nominee to lead AFRICOM on track to be Marine Corps’ first ever Black four-star general

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Langley is President Joe Biden’s pick to be the next commander of U.S. Africa Command, the Pentagon said.

Moviegoers at select US military bases can watch free screenings of new Elvis flick

A new film that captures the life and career of Elvis Presley, including his brief stint in the Army, will have free screenings at more than 20 base theaters.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin has nominated Lt. Gen. James B. Hecker for his fourth star, and an assignment as the next commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Air Forces Africa; Allied Air Command and director of Joint Air Power Competence Centre, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

New commander named to leadership post for airmen in Europe, Africa

If his nomination is approved, Lt. Gen. James B. Hecker would succeed Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, who’s been in charge of USAFE-AFAFRICA for more than three years.

Graduates in Kaiserslautern High School’s Class of 2022 toss their graduation caps in the air at the end of the school’s commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Raider Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany. A total of 165 graduates received their diplomas. Most DODEA-Europe schools are holding their graduation ceremonies this week.

DODEA seniors’ last checklist: caps, gowns and diplomas

Some have already graduated from the military system’s high schools in Europe, with most others scheduled to receive diplomas this weekend.

A formation of C-130J Super Hercules of the 37th Airlift Squadron fly over Ramstein Air Base, Germany, before landing at the base. The unit celebrated its 80th anniversary with a large formation mission and a parachute jump onto the base. Today's squadron was founded as the 37th Transport Squadron in 1942 at Patterson Field, Ohio..

Air Force squadron throws itself birthday bash in German skies

It was a sight rarely seen over Ramstein: Nine C-130J Super Hercules airplanes flying in formation and dropping 90 paratroopers onto a grassy landing zone between two runways.

Kaiserslautern’s Larry Haynes won the boys 100-meter dash in 11.14 seconds. Brussels’ William Pierce, left, finished third, while Stuttgart’s Josiah Doughty was fourth. Haynes also took gold in the 200-meter race.

Stars shine as Raiders, Warriors win team titles

Kaiserslautern takes boys Division I track and field crown, while Wiesbaden runs away with girls championship.

Wiesbaden’s Elijah Smith celebrates his win in the boys 3200-meter race at the DODEA-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Smith set a new DODEA-Europe record, winning the race in 9 minutes 44.64 seconds, breaking the record of 9:49.21 set in 2019.

Opening day of track starts with surprises, predictable wins

One record falls in DODEA-Europe’s first return to in-person championships since 2019.

The goal in softball is to keep playing until Saturday

Teams open double-elimination tournament, playing for European titles for the first time since 2019.

Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, pins the Distinguished Service Medal on Maj. Gen. Randall Reed at Reed’s relinquishment of command ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

3rd Air Force in Europe says farewell to Reed

Maj. Gen. Randall Reed is headed to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where he’ll serve under Lt. Gen. Mike Minihan as the deputy commander of Air Mobility Command.

Capt. Taylor Bye poses with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr. at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., May 11, 2022. Bye was awarded the 2020 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy to recognize her outstanding airmanship when her A-10C attack aircraft suffered a catastrophic gun malfunction. She performed a belly landing with the loss of the landing gear and canopy.

Female A-10 pilot who averted catastrophe in landing disabled plane makes history with award

Capt. Taylor Bye was presented with the 2020 Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy at a Pentagon ceremony, becoming the first female recipient of the award since its creation in 1957.

Tine Kirby, Kiefer Jones, center, and the couples friend, Kaleb Cross, ride the ski lift at Ischgl ski resort in Austrias eastern Alps on Jan. 14, 2022. It was one of the last photos the couple took before Jones suffered a traumatic brain injury on the slopes while snowboarding.

‘Today is a beautiful day’: Former airman credits military community in his recovery from horrific snowboarding crash

A 30-year-old contractor at Aviano Air Base suffered a severe traumatic brain injury on vacation after smashing into a steel pole. Here’s how the military community stepped up to help.

An A-10C Thunderbolt II with Maryland Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Squadron flies behind a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker on Oct. 13, 2021. The A-10s will be prowling the skies of Europe in May after deploying to support the Armys Swift Response exercise in Europe.

‘Warthogs’ return to Europe for large military drills

Four of the A-10s will head from Iceland to Norway on Friday while the other six are due to fly to North Macedonia on Saturday to support exercise operations, USAFE-AFAFRICA said.

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Jennifer H. Svan

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