LANGLEY AFB - The Air Combat Command, headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, has a new leader.
Lt. Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III assumed command from Gen. William M. Fraser III.
Gen. Hostage served as the commander of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command from August 2009 to August 2011. He developed contingency plans and conducted air operations in a 20-nation area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.
Hostage pinned on his fourth star and was awarded the rank of general before the change of command ceremony.
Gen. Fraser will assume command of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott AFB, Ill. He's served as commander of ACC since September 2009.
The Air Combat Command ordered a stand-down of F-22 Raptor jets in May because of a possibly deadly problem with the plane's oxygen generation system. The planes were allowed to leave during Hurricane Irene but have otherwise been grounded.
On Tuesday, for the first time, the Air Force permitted a top leader to speak on-camera to media about the issue.
General Hostage said progress is being made on the F-22s.
'We are working our way through it. We think we've got the plan to move ahead and it's just a matter of getting it socialized with the leadership to ensure that everybody is comfortable with moving out,' stated Hostage.
The general did not give specifics on what is being done to the planes or a timetable on when the repairs would be made.
