RAMSTEIN, Germany – In a short ceremony on 13 May 2022, U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Joel L. Carey, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations (DCOS OPS) handed over to German Air Force Brigadier General Christoph Pliet
Brigadier General Carey
arrived ten months ago at Headquarters Allied Air Command, at the beginning of
Operation Allied Solace - NATO's evacuation mission for Afghan refugees. As Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, General
Carey was responsible for all operational-related matters, including Air
Policing, Ballistic Missile Defense, Article 5 and crisis response operations.
He was also responsible for ensuring Headquarters AIRCOM is prepared to
establish an Air Operations Center, if required, for an emerging Contingency
Operation.
I have been privileged to serve with an amazing team of professionals during my time with AIRCOM. It has been truly impressive seeing this talented group in action each day as they work hard to support Alliance efforts in the face of each new challenge
"Next to AIRCOM's standing
operations and missions, in difficult times and often on very short notice, you
and your team successfully managed to tackle all the tasks given to you, such
as NATO Operation Allied Solace, the Afghan evacuation mission last year, or
the current increased Allied air activities to protect NATO territory in
response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is a great honour to serve with an
Airman of your calibre and I want to say thank you for your support and
dedication to our great Alliance," General Harrigian added
U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Joel L. Carey, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations (DCOS OPS) handed over to German Air Force Brigadier General Christoph Pliet. Photo by: Arnaud Chamberlin
Brigadier General Carey is a command pilot with more
than 3,200 hours including more than 600 combat hours.
"I have been privileged to serve with an
amazing team of professionals during my time with AIRCOM. It has been truly impressive seeing this
talented group in action each day as they work hard to support Alliance efforts
in the face of each new challenge," said Brigadier General Carey.
Prior to his assignment at
AIRCOM, Brigadier General Carey served in Japan as Commander, 18th Wing.
General Carey will stay in Ramstein, Germany as Director of Operations,
Strategic Deterrence, and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters United States Air
Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.
The incoming DCOS OPS, Brigadier
General Christoph Pliet, has served in different national and NATO
Headquarters. He is a command weapon systems officer with more than 2,000
flying hours and over 70 combat hours in the Tornado. Prior to his new position
at AIRCOM, he was the Deputy Commander of the Combined Air Operations Centre in
Uedem, Germany.