Former Cannon operations commander promoted to Air Force vice chief of staff

A lieutenant general who served as operations commander of Cannon Air Force Base in the late 1990s is being promoted to vice chief of staff of the Air Force.

Lt. Gen. Philip M. Breedlove will assume the position in March, replacing Gen. Howie Chandler, who is slated to retire, according to an article in Air Force Times.

Breedlove has commanded Air Force operations, plans and requirements since August 2009.

A fighter pilot, Breedlove is expected to receive a fourth star with the promotion.

Breedlove served as commander of the 27th Operations Group at Cannon from 1997 to 1999 when the base was a fighter wing, according to Air Force biography information.