From Ljubljana to the Top of the U.S. Air Force

Slovenia Revealed

28. september 2018 ob 7.04 • Ljubljana - MMC RTV SLO

Frank Gorenc’s accomplishments serve as a reminder of what Slovenians have achieved around the world – in the military and many other fields of human endeavor. Foto: EPA

As a nation without its own army for most of its history, Slovenia boasts relatively few military figures. Some army men made a mark in Austro-Hungarian times, while others distinguished themselves with their bravery during the Spanish Civil War and World War II, but public squares in Slovenian towns are far more likely to feature statues of writers and poets than military heroes. But a handful of Slovenians have left a mark with their impressive military careers in recent times; among them was Frank Gorenc, who became a major figure in the U.S. Armed Forces and ultimately one of the top commanders of NATO in Europe.

Gorenc fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ultimately became the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Africa, and the Commander of the NATO Allied Air Command. Foto: EPA

Frank Gorenc’s accomplishments serve as a reminder of what Slovenians have achieved around the world – in the military and many other fields of human endeavor. Foto: EPA

Gorenc was born in Ljubljana in 1957. When he was only four, his family immigrated to the United States. He grew up in modest surroundings; his father worked as a tailor, while his mother was a factory worker. “We didn’t know the language,” Gorenc remembers that time. “We didn’t know the culture, and we came to learn [that] the United States is truly a land of opportunity.”

When Gorenc’s brother, four years his senior, decided to join the Air Force, Frank Gorenc decided to follow in his footsteps. Since his family didn’t have much money, the scholarship opportunities offered by the Air Force were also an important reason for his decision. He eventually graduated with great distinction from the U.S. Air Force Academy and went to serve in various Air Force positions.

Gorenc fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ultimately became the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Africa, and the Commander of the NATO Allied Air Command. For many of those years, he was stationed at the Rammstein Air Force Base in Germany, the hub of U.S. operations in Europe. And in 2013, he was promoted to the rank of general, a culmination of a truly distinguished military career.

Still, Gorenc has retained strong bonds with Slovenia. He still understands his native language and has visited his country of birth in his role as a NATO Commander. He also made visits to the Trebelno area, where he was reunited with a cousin he last saw decades ago.

Frank Gorenc’s accomplishments serve as a reminder of what Slovenians have achieved around the world – in the military and many other fields of human endeavor.