The Air Force‘s top commander in Europe is President Barack Obama‘s choice to be NATO‘s next supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command.

During a news conference today with Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the president‘s intent to nominate Gen. Philip M. Breedlove to succeed Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis.