Maj. Gen. Henry C. Morrow, (above) commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Command Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), will serve as the United States Defense Representative, U.S. Liaison Office, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean will assume command Nov. 12. (Courtesy photo)

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Air Force announces new commander for CONR-1st AF

Published Oct. 16, 2009

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Force officials announced today that the commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Command Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) will be reassigned to United States Central Command.

Maj. Gen. Henry C. Morrow will serve as the United States Defense Representative, U.S. Liaison Office, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Taking Morrow's place will be Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, who is currently assigned to the Pentagon as the Deputy Inspector General of the Air Force in Washington, D.C.

"Hank has been one of the most effective and forward-thinking commanders I've had the pleasure of working with throughout NORAD and U.S. Northern Command," said Gen. Gene Renuart, NORAD-USNORTHCOM commander. "While I'm sorry to see him depart, change is the nature of our business and I wish him only the best. We look forward to having General Dean on board."

The mission of CONR-1AF (AFNORTH) is air sovereignty and air defense of the continental United States. It's a mission Morrow said he will miss.

"The importance of the mission here cannot be understated, and it's one that gave me great pride to support," said Morrow, who assumed command here in November 2006. "I was able to work with some of the best and brightest, and there's no greater highlight in an assignment than working with the most professional men and women in the Air Force and throughout the Department of Defense."

The official change of command ceremony is scheduled to take place Nov. 12.