Breaking News

Lindsey Graham retires from Air Force ahead of expected White House run

By Eric Bradner, CNN

Updated 1:07 PM ET, Thu May 28, 2015

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Click through to see highlights from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's political career:
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Click through to see highlights from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's political career:
Hide Caption
1 of 14
Graham; Sir Elton John, center; and filmmaker and John's husband, David Furnish, pose after testimony at a U.S. Senate hearing on the global fight against AIDS on May 6, 2015. Graham and Democratic Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont hosted John as part of their bipartisan effort to combat HIV infection.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham; Sir Elton John, center; and filmmaker and John's husband, David Furnish, pose after testimony at a U.S. Senate hearing on the global fight against AIDS on May 6, 2015. Graham and Democratic Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont hosted John as part of their bipartisan effort to combat HIV infection.
Hide Caption
2 of 14
Graham rushes to the Senate chamber to vote on an attempt to override U.S. President Barack Obama's veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline legislation March 4, 2015. Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2014.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham rushes to the Senate chamber to vote on an attempt to override U.S. President Barack Obama's veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline legislation March 4, 2015. Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2014.
Hide Caption
3 of 14
Graham listens to testimony during a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting on national security strategy on January 27, 2015. According to his <a href="http://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutSenatorGraham.Biography" target="_blank">website</a>, Graham continues to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a senior individual mobilization augmentee to the judge advocate general.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham listens to testimony during a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting on national security strategy on January 27, 2015. According to his website, Graham continues to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a senior individual mobilization augmentee to the judge advocate general.
Hide Caption
4 of 14
Graham arrives for a closed briefing of the Armed Services Committee on July 30, 2014. Before serving in the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham arrives for a closed briefing of the Armed Services Committee on July 30, 2014. Before serving in the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.
Hide Caption
5 of 14
Graham talks to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, before a news conference on Capitol Hill on July 24, 2014.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham talks to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, before a news conference on Capitol Hill on July 24, 2014.
Hide Caption
6 of 14
Graham and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, listen as President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address on January 28, 2014. Graham was in the U.S. Air Force and logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, listen as President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address on January 28, 2014. Graham was in the U.S. Air Force and logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer.
Hide Caption
7 of 14
Graham holds a news conference on Benghazi, Libya, at the U.S. Capitol on October 30, 2013. From left, he is flanked by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona; Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah; and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Graham has been an outspoken critic of how the Obama administration has handled the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic, in which four U.S. citizens died.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham holds a news conference on Benghazi, Libya, at the U.S. Capitol on October 30, 2013. From left, he is flanked by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona; Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah; and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Graham has been an outspoken critic of how the Obama administration has handled the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic, in which four U.S. citizens died.
Hide Caption
8 of 14
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and Graham on June 30, 2013, in Jerusalem.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and Graham on June 30, 2013, in Jerusalem.
Hide Caption
9 of 14
McCain, left, and Graham speak during a news conference about Benghazi on February 14, 2013, on Capitol Hill.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
McCain, left, and Graham speak during a news conference about Benghazi on February 14, 2013, on Capitol Hill.
Hide Caption
10 of 14
Graham talks with reporters before heading into the Senate Republican Caucus policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol May 8, 2012.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham talks with reporters before heading into the Senate Republican Caucus policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol May 8, 2012.
Hide Caption
11 of 14
Graham speaks to reporters after a news conference about his Social Security reform plan at the U.S. Capitol on April 13, 2011.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham speaks to reporters after a news conference about his Social Security reform plan at the U.S. Capitol on April 13, 2011.
Hide Caption
12 of 14
Graham, left, and McCain call on participants during a health care town hall meeting on September 14, 2009 at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. According to his website, Graham is a native South Carolinian and grew up in a blue collar family in the small town of Central, where his parents ran a restaurant and pool hall.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
Graham, left, and McCain call on participants during a health care town hall meeting on September 14, 2009 at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. According to his website, Graham is a native South Carolinian and grew up in a blue collar family in the small town of Central, where his parents ran a restaurant and pool hall.
Hide Caption
13 of 14
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, stands with Graham on the steps of Air Force One at the airport in Greenville, South Carolina, in March 2002.
Photos: Lindsey Graham's political career
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, stands with Graham on the steps of Air Force One at the airport in Greenville, South Carolina, in March 2002.
Hide Caption
14 of 14
Lindsey Graham gallery 17lindsey graham 18Lindsey Graham gallery 15lindsey graham gallery 14lindsey graham gallery 13lindsey graham gallery 12Lindsey Graham 16Lindsey Graham gallery 11lindsey graham gallery 10lindsey graham gallery 9lindsey graham gallery 6Lindsey Graham gallery 5Lindsey Graham gallery 3Lindsey Graham gallery 2

Washington (CNN)Lindsey Graham is leaving the Air Force Reserves -- even though he "wouldn't leave if they weren't making me," he says.

The South Carolina senator and likely Republican presidential candidate said Thursday that he's retiring after more than three decades of Air Force service -- including brief work in Afghanistan over the Memorial Day holiday -- because he's reaching the mandatory retirement age when he turns 60 on July 9.
"The Air Force has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me," Graham said in a statement. "It identified and developed my talent, and helped me become useful to my country. It offered me adventure and showed me the world. It gave me a purpose bigger than myself. It put me in the company of patriots. It's been almost like family to me."
Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said his decision to run for the Republican nomination will be based on two things: his family and whether he can lift America's spirit. His father and brother are former Presidents.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said his decision to run for the Republican nomination will be based on two things: his family and whether he can lift America's spirit. His father and brother are former Presidents.
Hide Caption
1 of 19
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has created a political committee that will help him travel and raise money while he considers a 2016 bid. Additionally, billionaire businessman David Koch said in a private gathering in Manhattan this month that he wants Walker to be the next president, but he doesn't plan to back anyone in the primaries.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has created a political committee that will help him travel and raise money while he considers a 2016 bid. Additionally, billionaire businessman David Koch said in a private gathering in Manhattan this month that he wants Walker to be the next president, but he doesn't plan to back anyone in the primaries.
Hide Caption
2 of 19
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is establishing a committee to formally explore a White House bid. "If I run, my candidacy will be based on the idea that the American people are ready to try a dramatically different direction," he said in a news release <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/18/politics/bobby-jindal-forms-exploratory-committee/index.html">provided to CNN on Monday, May 18</a>.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is establishing a committee to formally explore a White House bid. "If I run, my candidacy will be based on the idea that the American people are ready to try a dramatically different direction," he said in a news release provided to CNN on Monday, May 18.
Hide Caption
3 of 19
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/politics/bernie-sanders-2016-election-announcement/index.html">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans looking to take back control of the government from billionaires. He first announced the run in an email to supporters early on the morning of Thursday, April 30.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans looking to take back control of the government from billionaires. He first announced the run in an email to supporters early on the morning of Thursday, April 30.
Hide Caption
4 of 19
On March 2, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced the launch of an exploratory committee. The move will allow him to raise money that could eventually be transferred to an official presidential campaign and indicates he is on track with stated plans to formally announce a bid in May.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
On March 2, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced the launch of an exploratory committee. The move will allow him to raise money that could eventually be transferred to an official presidential campaign and indicates he is on track with stated plans to formally announce a bid in May.
Hide Caption
5 of 19
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has said he'll make a decision about a presidential run sometime soon. A potential bid could focus on Graham's foreign policy stance.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has said he'll make a decision about a presidential run sometime soon. A potential bid could focus on Graham's foreign policy stance.
Hide Caption
6 of 19
Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid Sunday, April 12, through a video message on social media. She continues to be considered the overwhelming front-runner among possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidates.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid Sunday, April 12, through a video message on social media. She continues to be considered the overwhelming front-runner among possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidates.
Hide Caption
7 of 19
Sen. Marco Rubio announced his bid for the 2016 presidency on Monday, April 13, a day after Hillary Clinton, with a rally in Florida. He's a Republican rising star from Florida who swept into office in 2010 on the back of tea party fervor. But his support of comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the Senate but has stalled in the House, has led some in his party to sour on his prospects.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Sen. Marco Rubio announced his bid for the 2016 presidency on Monday, April 13, a day after Hillary Clinton, with a rally in Florida. He's a Republican rising star from Florida who swept into office in 2010 on the back of tea party fervor. But his support of comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the Senate but has stalled in the House, has led some in his party to sour on his prospects.
Hide Caption
8 of 19
Lincoln Chafee, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat former governor and senator of Rhode Island, said he's running for president on Thursday, April 16, as a Democrat, but his spokeswoman said the campaign is still in the presidential exploratory committee stages.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Lincoln Chafee, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat former governor and senator of Rhode Island, said he's running for president on Thursday, April 16, as a Democrat, but his spokeswoman said the campaign is still in the presidential exploratory committee stages.
Hide Caption
9 of 19
Jim Webb, the former Democratic senator from Virginia, is entertaining a 2016 presidential run. In January, he told NPR that his party has not focused on white, working-class voters in past elections.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Jim Webb, the former Democratic senator from Virginia, is entertaining a 2016 presidential run. In January, he told NPR that his party has not focused on white, working-class voters in past elections.
Hide Caption
10 of 19
Vice President Joe Biden has twice before made unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office -- in 1988 and 2008. A former senator known for his foreign policy and national security expertise, Biden made the rounds on the morning shows recently and said he thinks he'd "make a good President."
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Vice President Joe Biden has twice before made unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office -- in 1988 and 2008. A former senator known for his foreign policy and national security expertise, Biden made the rounds on the morning shows recently and said he thinks he'd "make a good President."
Hide Caption
11 of 19
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has started a series of town halls in New Hampshire to test the presidential waters, becoming more comfortable talking about national issues and staking out positions on hot topic debates.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has started a series of town halls in New Hampshire to test the presidential waters, becoming more comfortable talking about national issues and staking out positions on hot topic debates.
Hide Caption
12 of 19
Rep. Paul Ryan, a former 2012 vice presidential candidate and fiscally conservative budget hawk, says he's keeping his "options open" for a possible presidential run but is not focused on it.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Rep. Paul Ryan, a former 2012 vice presidential candidate and fiscally conservative budget hawk, says he's keeping his "options open" for a possible presidential run but is not focused on it.
Hide Caption
13 of 19
Sen. Rand Paul officially announced his presidential bid on Tuesday, April 7, at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky. The tea party favorite probably will have to address previous controversies that include comments on civil rights, a plagiarism allegation and his assertion that the top NSA official lied to Congress about surveillance.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Sen. Rand Paul officially announced his presidential bid on Tuesday, April 7, at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky. The tea party favorite probably will have to address previous controversies that include comments on civil rights, a plagiarism allegation and his assertion that the top NSA official lied to Congress about surveillance.
Hide Caption
14 of 19
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz announced his 2016 presidential bid on Monday, March 23, in a speech at Liberty University. The first-term Republican and tea party darling is considered a gifted orator and smart politician. He is best known in the Senate for his marathon filibuster over defunding Obamacare.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz announced his 2016 presidential bid on Monday, March 23, in a speech at Liberty University. The first-term Republican and tea party darling is considered a gifted orator and smart politician. He is best known in the Senate for his marathon filibuster over defunding Obamacare.
Hide Caption
15 of 19
Democrat Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, released a "buzzy" political video in November 2013 in tandem with visits to New Hampshire. He also headlined a Democratic Party event in South Carolina, which holds the first Southern primary.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Democrat Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, released a "buzzy" political video in November 2013 in tandem with visits to New Hampshire. He also headlined a Democratic Party event in South Carolina, which holds the first Southern primary.
Hide Caption
16 of 19
Republican Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, announced in 2013 that he would not be seeking re-election, leading to speculation that he might mount a second White House bid.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Republican Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, announced in 2013 that he would not be seeking re-election, leading to speculation that he might mount a second White House bid.
Hide Caption
17 of 19
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a social conservative, gave Mitt Romney his toughest challenge in the nomination fight last time out and has made trips recently to early voting states, including Iowa and South Carolina.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a social conservative, gave Mitt Romney his toughest challenge in the nomination fight last time out and has made trips recently to early voting states, including Iowa and South Carolina.
Hide Caption
18 of 19
Political observers expect New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to yield to Hillary Clinton's run in 2016, fearing there wouldn't be room in the race for two Democrats from the Empire State.
Photos: Potential 2016 presidential candidates
Political observers expect New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to yield to Hillary Clinton's run in 2016, fearing there wouldn't be room in the race for two Democrats from the Empire State.
Hide Caption
19 of 19
14 Jeb Bush 101713 Scott Walker 101710 Bobby Jindal 101701 Bernie Sanders 011501 ben carson 0304lindsey graham 030701 Hillary Clinton 201604 Marco Rubio 1017Lincoln Chafee01 Jim Webb 0115 RESTRICTED03 Joe Biden 101702 chris christie05 Paul Ryan 101706 Rand Paul 101707 Ted Cruz 101708 Martin O'Malley 101709 Rick Perry 101711 Rick Santorum 101712 Andrew Cuomo 1017
He added: "I'm going to miss it an awful lot, and I wouldn't leave if they weren't making me."
    Graham is a leading hawk in the Republican Party and has lambasted President Barack Obama for what he's called a too-passive approach to problems like ISIS in Iraq and Syria. He's called for the United States to do more to support revolutionary forces in the Middle East.
    Read More
    Graham was on active duty with the Air Force for six years, from 1982 to 1988, which included four years in Germany. He also served in the South Carolina Air National Guard from 1989 to 1995 before joining the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1995.
    As a judge advocate in the 1980s, he exposed the mishandling of urine test samples that had led to false positive tests and dismissals of Air Force service members.
    Graham retires with the rank of colonel.