The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has officially welcomed Lieutenant General Holger Neumann as its new Chief (Inspekteur der Luftwaffe), succeeding Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who led the force for over six years — the longest tenure in the history of the Luftwaffe.
The change of command ceremony took place at Wunstorf Air Base in the presence of German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who personally selected Neumann for the role. A seasoned combat pilot, Neumann has served in the Bundeswehr since 1988 and most recently commanded the Flying Units Division at the Air Force Command in Cologne. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General during the ceremony.
Strategic Challenges Ahead
As the new Chief of the Air Force, Neumann assumes command at a pivotal moment for Germany’s defence strategy. Key priorities include the rapid deployment of the Israeli-American Arrow 3 air defence system, with the first elements expected to become operational later this year.
“The tasks remain challenging — or are becoming even more so,” said Minister Pistorius during the handover, referencing both the ongoing war in Ukraine and the urgent need to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank.
Gerhartz Moves to NATO Command
Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who has served as Chief of the Luftwaffe since May 2018, will transition to a new NATO leadership position. He is set to take command at the Allied Joint Force Command in Brunssum, Netherlands — one of NATO’s two operational headquarters in Europe.
Gerhartz remains a widely respected figure in the German Armed Forces and was praised by Pistorius for his leadership, particularly in orchestrating large-scale exercises such as Air Defender. Despite a disciplinary fine imposed last year due to an intercepted unsecured call regarding Taurus missile discussions, Pistorius stood firmly behind Gerhartz and his officers, warning against falling into Russian disinformation traps.
Continuity and Reform
Neumann inherits a modernising air force amid shifting geopolitical realities and increased defence demands. His operational experience, combined with strategic awareness, positions him to lead the Luftwaffe through a critical phase of transformation — one marked by growing allied expectations, expanding air defence capabilities, and intensified security threats across Europe.
Photo Credit: Bundeswehr/Germaine-Noelle Lavinia Nassal
By: Katerina Urbanová
