Stewart takes command of the 19th Air Force continuing the focus of accelerating change Published Aug. 19, 2022 By Aryn Lockhart 19th Air Force JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart took command of 19th Air Force from Maj. Gen. Craig Wills during a change of command ceremony at Hangar 41 at Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas, Aug. 19, 2022. Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, presided over the ceremony. He thanked the men and women of the 19th Air Force and described the significant impact they have on the AETC mission. He outlined the vast footprint of the 19th Air Force, command home for 32,000 Airmen spanning over 17 wings and executing about 500,000 flying hours annually. “First and foremost, to the men and women of the 19th Air Force, we cannot say enough to thank you for your incredible contributions to AETC’s mission, the Air Force and our great nation," said Robinson. "In terms of the fleet alone, by all accounts, 19th Air Force would be equal to the fifth largest air force by fleet size in the world; that is significant and you make it look easy, but it is not." Robinson spoke in detail about Wills’ contributions, to include implementing the first major changes in pilot training in three decades, that proved to be an enterprise-ready solution, all while fighting through the pandemic. He also spoke of Wills’ efforts to improve rated diversity, championing change in policy. Transitioning to Stewart, Robinson shared the vast leadership roles that Stewart commanded throughout his career. A long legacy of service, Stewart is the fifth generation to serve within his family. Robinson shared how General Tod Wolters, U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, described Stewart as the most innovative general officer that he’d seen in his entire career. “We need that as we continue to accelerate and change at AETC," said Robinson. "Your innovative spirit and experience will be crucial to the ongoing evolution of the 19th Air Force. It will cultivate our greatest strength and deliver airpower." During his remarks, Stewart shared how he became the aide-de-camp for the 19th Air Force commander from 1999 – 2000. He said, as a young captain, he was asked by his commander to apply for the aide-de-camp position. He wasn’t interested and agreed to meet, but had a list of reasons why he did not want the job. Upon meeting with the general, he was immediately told he was hired. “The point of that is, left to my own devices and my own decisions, I would just be retired Lt. Col. Phil Stewart, with a long career in flying," said Stewart. "But it’s mentors who help make Airmen. It’s people much wiser, much smarter who took time out of their day to look at a young kid and say, hey maybe one day you might be here. “I recognize job one in this command is growing Airmen. Growing great men and women who will one day stand on this stage, who will one day be sitting in that chair on stage. There’s no better command than AETC for that,” said Stewart. Prior to taking command, Stewart was the deputy chief of staff for strategic employment at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium. In this capacity, he managed all operations, missions and activities for Allied Command Operations. Stewart was commissioned in 1992 through ROTC after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He earned three master’s degrees: military studies, operational planning, and strategic studies. He is a command pilot with more than 2,600 hours of flying time. Traditionally a final salute is rendered to the outgoing commander, however, Wills offered a symbol of his gratitude and respect and rendered a final salute to members of the 19th Air Force. Wills retires in December 2022 and plans to stay in the San Antonio area.