Gen Frank Gorenc, USAF (ret.)
Frank Gorenc retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of General after 37 years of active duty service. He held a variety of demanding command and staff positions culminating as the Commander of US Air Forces Europe, Commander US Air Forces Africa and Commander, NATO Allied Air Command at Ramstein Air Base, Germany and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre, Kalkar, Germany. In this role, he was responsible for Air Force activities, conducted through 3rd Air Force, in an area of operations covering more than 19 million square miles. This area included 104 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and the Arctic, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This area possesses more than a quarter of the world’s population and generates more than a quarter of the world’s gross domestic product.
General Gorenc was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He has commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group, a wing, an expeditionary wing, the Air Force District Washington, and a component Numbered Air Force. General Gorenc has served in numerous positions at Air Combat Command, the Air Staff, the Joint Staff, and at US European Command/Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Prior to his final command, he was the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff. He Is a command pilot with more than 4,800 flight hours.
His extensive experience in wartime, contingency and humanitarian relief operations include participation in Operations DESERT STORM, PROVIDE COMFORT, SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, ODYSSEY DAWN, UNIFIED PROTECTOR and INHERANT RESOLVE. In addition, he commanded three standing NATO operations: NATO Air Policing, BMD, and NATO Augmentation to Turkey missions.
His education includes Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the USAF Academy and two Masters Degrees: a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University and a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.
Additionally, as part of his Air Force professional military education, he completed the Defense Policy Seminar at George Washington University, the Cyberspace Operations Executive Course at Maxwell AFB and the Pinnacle General and Flag Officer Course at National Defense University. Finally, he completed advanced flying training at the Air Force Fighter Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis AFB and the NATO Tactical Leadership Course at Jever AB in Germany. He is a seasoned combat fighter pilot, instructor and evaluator amassing over 4,800 flying hours in multiple aircraft including full combat qualification in remotely piloted aircraft and rotary wing craft.
