List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals from 2010 to 2019
This is a list of lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force from 2010 to 2019. The rank of lieutenant general (or three-star general) is the second-highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Air Force, and the first to have a specified number of appointments set by statute. It ranks above major general (two-star general) and below general (four-star general).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Flag_of_a_United_States_Air_Force_lieutenant_general.svg/170px-Flag_of_a_United_States_Air_Force_lieutenant_general.svg.png)
lieutenant general
There have been 131 lieutenant generals in the U.S. Air Force from 2010 to 2019, 33 of whom were elevated to four-star general. All 131 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Lieutenant generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 61 were commissioned via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 44 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 13 via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), seven via AFROTC at a senior military college, five via direct commission (direct), and one via direct commission inter-service transfer from the Army National Guard (ARNG).
List of generals
editEntries in the following list of lieutenant generals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force or was promoted to four-star rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank,[a] active-duty positions held while serving at three-star rank,[b] number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank (Yrs),[c] year commissioned and source of commission,[d] number of years in commission when promoted to three-star rank (YC),[e] and other biographical notes (years of birth and death are shown in parentheses in the Notes column).[f] Officers transferred to the U.S. Space Force in the grade of lieutenant general are included while having previously held that rank in the Air Force previously are included, while Air Force officers first promoted to lieutenant general in the U.S. Space Force are excluded.
# | Name | Photo | Date of rank[a] | Position[b] | Yrs[c] | Commission[d] | YC[e] | Notes[f] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Richard C. Harding | 2 Feb 2010 |
|
4 | 1980 (direct) | 30 | (1947– )[g] | |
* | Larry O. Spencer | 3 Apr 2010 |
|
2 | 1980 (OTS) | 30 | (1954– )[h] Promoted to general, 27 Jul 2012. Served 9 years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1980. | |
2 | Eric E. Fiel | 11 Jun 2010 |
|
4 | 1981 (OTS) | 29 | (1958– ) | |
3 | Frank J. Kisner | 26 Jul 2010 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
4 | Stephen P. Mueller | 6 Sep 2010 |
|
4 | 1979 (USAFA) | 31 | (1960– ) | |
5 | Douglas H. Owens | 9 Sep 2010 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
6 | Michael R. Moeller | 7 Oct 2010 |
|
4 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
7 | Burton M. Field | 25 Oct 2010 |
|
4 | 1979 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1957– ) | |
8 | Kurt A. Cichowski | 16 Nov 2010 |
|
3 | 1977 (USAFA) | 33 | (1955– ) | |
9 | Stanley T. Kresge | 10 Dec 2010 |
|
4 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
10 | Darrell D. Jones | 14 Dec 2010 |
|
3 | 1979 (AFROTC) | 31 | ||
11 | James M. Kowalski | 6 Jan 2011 |
|
4 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1957– ) | |
12 | Susan J. Helms | 21 Jan 2011 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 31 | (1958– )[i][j] | |
13 | Michael J. Basla | 2 Mar 2011 |
|
3 | 1979 (OTS) | 32 | (1952– ) | |
* | Ellen M. Pawlikowski | 3 Jun 2011 |
|
4 | 1978 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1956– ) Promoted to general, 8 Jun 2015. | |
14 | Bradley A. Heithold | 19 Jul 2011 |
|
7 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1956– ) Served 7 years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1981. | |
* | David L. Goldfein | 3 Aug 2011 |
|
4 | 1983 (USAFA) | 28 | (1959– )[h][k] Promoted to general, 17 Aug 2015. Brother of Air Force major general Stephen M. Goldfein. | |
15 | David S. Fadok | 12 Aug 2011 |
|
3 | 1982 (USAFA) | 29 | ||
16 | Stanley E. Clarke III | 31 Aug 2011 |
|
4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 30 | ||
17 | Charles R. Davis | 1 Sep 2011 |
|
3 | 1979 (USAFA) | 32 | ||
18 | Brooks L. Bash | 9 Sep 2011 |
|
4 | 1981 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
19 | Mark F. Ramsay | 23 Sep 2011 |
|
4 | 1982 (OTS) | 29 | (c. 1958– ) | |
20 | C. D. Moore II | 3 Oct 2011 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 31 | (1958– ) | |
21 | Stephen L. Hoog | 7 Nov 2011 |
|
4 | 1979 (USAFA) | 32 | ||
22 | John W. Hesterman III | 17 Nov 2011 |
|
5 | 1983 (USAFA) | 28 | (c. 1964– ) Relieved, 2016.[2] | |
* | Robin Rand | 1 Dec 2011 |
|
2 | 1979 (USAFA) | 32 | (1957– )[l] Promoted to general, 10 Oct 2013. | |
23 | Judith A. Fedder | 5 Dec 2011 |
|
4 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1958– ) | |
24 | Jan-Marc Jouas | 6 Jan 2012 |
|
2 | 1979 (USAFA) | 33 | ||
25 | Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. | 11 Jan 2012 |
|
3 | 1977 (AFROTC) | 35 | (1955– ) President, Angelo State University, 2020–present.[3] | |
26 | Craig A. Franklin | 30 Mar 2012 |
|
2 | 1981 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1961– )[m] Resigned, 2014.[4] | |
* | John E. Hyten | 18 May 2012 |
|
2 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1959– )[n][o] Promoted to general, 15 Aug 2014. | |
27 | Bruce A. Litchfield | 10 Jul 2012 |
|
3 | 1981 (Norwich) | 31 | ||
28 | Thomas W. Travis | 13 Jul 2012 |
|
3 | 1976 (Virginia Tech) | 36 | (1953– ) Senior Vice President, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 2016–2021. | |
29 | Salvatore A. Angelella | 20 Jul 2012 |
|
3 | 1981 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1959– ) | |
30 | Andrew E. Busch | 20 Jul 2012 |
|
5 | 1979 (USAFA) | 33 | ||
31 | James F. Jackson | 30 Jul 2012 |
|
4 | 1978 (USAFA) | 34 | (1948– ) | |
32 | Noel T. Jones | 3 Aug 2012 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 32 | ||
* | Darren W. McDew | 6 Aug 2012 |
|
2 | 1982 (VMI) | 30 | (1960– )[n] Promoted to general, 5 May 2014. | |
33 | Michael D. Dubie | 14 Aug 2012 |
|
3 | 1982 (ARNG)[p] | 30 | (1960– ) | |
* | Joseph L. Lengyel | 18 Aug 2012 |
|
4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1959– )[q] Promoted to general, 3 Aug 2016. | |
34 | Christopher C. Bogdan | 6 Dec 2012 |
|
5 | 1983 (USAFA) | 29 | ||
35 | Gregory A. Biscone | 12 Jan 2013 |
|
3 | 1981 (USAFA) | 32 | ||
36 | William H. Etter | 7 Mar 2013 |
|
3 | 1979 (AFROTC) | 34 | (c. 1957– ) | |
* | Lori J. Robinson | 20 May 2013 |
|
1 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 32 | (c. 1959– )[r] Promoted to general, 16 Oct 2014. | |
37 | Robert P. Otto | 24 Jun 2013 |
|
3 | 1982 (USAFA) | 31 | ||
* | James M. Holmes | 2 Aug 2013 |
|
4 | 1981 (OTS) | 32 | (1957– ) Promoted to general, 10 Mar 2017. | |
38 | Russell J. Handy | 9 Aug 2013 |
|
3 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 31 | ||
39 | Michelle D. Johnson | 12 Aug 2013 |
|
4 | 1981 (USAFA) | 32 | (c. 1959– ) First woman to command the U.S. Air Force Academy.[5] | |
40 | Mark O. Schissler | 30 Aug 2013 |
|
3 | 1981 (OTS) | 32 | ||
* | Tod D. Wolters | 24 Sep 2013 |
|
3 | 1982 (USAFA) | 31 | (1960– )[s] Promoted to general, 11 Aug 2016. Son of Air Force brigadier general Thomas E. Wolters. | |
41 | Douglas J. Robb | 1 Oct 2013 |
|
2 | 1979 (USAFA) | 34 | ||
* | Stephen W. Wilson | 23 Oct 2013 |
|
3 | 1981 (Texas A&M) | 32 | (c. 1959– )[h] Promoted to general, 22 Jul 2016. | |
42 | Samuel D. Cox | 3 Dec 2013 |
|
4 | 1984 (USAFA) | 29 | (1961– ) | |
* | John W. Raymond | 31 Jan 2014 |
|
2 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1962– )[n][t][u] Promoted to general, 25 Oct 2016. Great-great-grandson of Army brigadier general Charles W. Raymond. | |
43 | Wendy M. Masiello | 8 May 2014 |
|
3 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 34 | (1958– ) Wife of Air Force major general Thomas J. Masiello. | |
44 | Christopher F. Burne | 23 May 2014 |
|
4 | 1983 (direct) | 31 | (c. 1962– )[g] | |
45 | Darryl L. Roberson | 30 May 2014 |
|
3 | 1983 (USAFA) | 31 | (1960– ) | |
46 | Thomas J. Trask | 16 Jun 2014 |
|
3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1961– ) | |
47 | Samuel A. Greaves | 19 Jun 2014 |
|
5 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 32 | ||
* | Carlton D. Everhart II | 20 Jun 2014 |
|
1 | 1983 (Virginia Tech) | 31 | (1961– ) Promoted to general, 11 Aug 2015. | |
48 | Anthony J. Rock | 17 Jun 2014 |
|
3 | 1982 (OTS) | 32 | (1959– ) | |
49 | James K. McLaughlin | 14 Aug 2014 |
|
3 | 1983 (USAFA) | 31 | ||
50 | Marshall B. Webb | 28 Aug 2014 |
|
8 | 1984 (USAFA) | 30 | (1961– ) | |
51 | William J. Bender | 19 Sep 2014 |
|
3 | 1983 (AFROTC) | 31 | ||
52 | John F. Thompson | 2 Oct 2014 |
|
7 | 1984 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
53 | Steven L. Kwast | 10 Nov 2014 |
|
5 | 1986 (USAFA) | 28 | ||
* | Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy | 19 Dec 2014 |
|
2 | 1986 (USAFA) | 28 | (c. 1964– )[r] Promoted to general, 12 Jul 2016. | |
54 | Mark C. Nowland | 19 Dec 2014 |
|
4 | 1985 (USAFA) | 29 | (1958– ) | |
55 | John B. Cooper | 22 May 2015 |
|
3 | 1983 (Citadel) | 32 | ||
56 | John L. Dolan | 5 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 29 | (c. 1964– ) | |
57 | Mark A. Ediger | 5 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1986 (direct) | 29 | ||
58 | Lee K. Levy II | 5 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 30 | (c. 1964– )[v] | |
59 | Jeffrey G. Lofgren | 19 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1984 (USAFA) | 31 | ||
* | Arnold W. Bunch Jr. | 24 Jun 2015 |
|
4 | 1984 (USAFA) | 31 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 31 May 2019. | |
* | Charles Q. Brown Jr. | 29 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1962– )[k][w] Promoted to general, 26 Jul 2018. | |
* | Timothy M. Ray | 2 Jul 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 30 | (1963– ) Promoted to general, 21 Aug 2018. | |
60 | John N.T. Shanahan | 11 Aug 2015 |
|
5 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1962– ) | |
61 | David J. Buck | 14 Aug 2015 |
|
2 | 1986 (OTS) | 29 | ||
62 | Gina M. Grosso | 15 Oct 2015 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1964– ) U.S. Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness, 2021–2023.[7] | |
63 | Jack Weinstein | 20 Nov 2015 |
|
3 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 33 | ||
64 | John D. Bansemer | 7 Jan 2016 |
|
3 | 1987 (OTS) | 29 | ||
65 | L. Scott Rice | 4 May 2016 |
|
4 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 36 | (1958– ) | |
66 | R. Scott Williams | 6 Jul 2016 |
|
3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 32 | ||
67 | Thomas W. Bergeson | 8 Jul 2016 |
|
4 | 1985 (USAFA) | 31 | (1962– ) | |
* | Maryanne Miller | 15 Jul 2016 |
|
2 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 35 | (1961– ) Promoted to general, 7 Sep 2018. | |
* | Jeffrey L. Harrigian | 22 Jul 2016 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 31 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 1 May 2019. | |
* | Kenneth S. Wilsbach | 16 Aug 2016 |
|
4 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1963– ) Promoted to general, 8 Jul 2020. | |
68 | Stayce D. Harris | 19 Aug 2016 |
|
3 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 34 | (1959– ) First female African-American lieutenant general in the Air Force.[9] | |
* | Mark D. Kelly | 3 Oct 2016 |
|
4 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 30 | (c. 1962– ) Promoted to general, 28 Aug 2020. | |
69 | Jerry P. Martinez | 6 Oct 2016 |
|
3 | 1986 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1964– ) | |
70 | Richard M. Clark | 21 Oct 2016 |
|
8 | 1986 (USAFA) | 30 | (1964– ) First African-American superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy.[10] | |
71 | VeraLinn Jamieson | 2 Nov 2016 | 3 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 34 | (1960– ) | ||
72 | Steven M. Shepro | 3 Nov 2016 |
|
3 | 1984 (USAFA) | 32 | (c. 1962– ) | |
73 | Jerry D. Harris Jr. | 22 Feb 2017 | 2 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 32 | |||
74 | Robert D. McMurry Jr. | 2 May 2017 |
|
3 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 32 | ||
75 | Giovanni K. Tuck | 1 Jun 2017 |
|
3 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 30 | ||
76 | Bradford J. Shwedo | 9 Jun 2017 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1969– ) Director, Institute for Future Conflict, 2021–present.[11] | |
77 | James C. Vechery | 2 Aug 2017 |
|
3 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1966– ) | |
78 | Scott A. Howell | 2 Aug 2017 |
|
4 | 1987 (USAFA) | 30 | (1965– ) | |
79 | Jay B. Silveria | 11 Aug 2017 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 32 | (1963– ) Executive Director, Bush School of Government and Public Service, 2020–present.[12] | |
* | Jacqueline D. Van Ovost | 8 Nov 2017 |
|
3 | 1988 (USAFA) | 29 | (1965– )[n] Promoted to general, 20 Aug 2020. | |
* | Anthony J. Cotton | 15 Feb 2018 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 32 | (c. 1963– )[n] Promoted to general, 27 Aug 2021. | |
* | David D. Thompson | 4 Apr 2018 |
|
2 | 1985 (USAFA) | 33 | (1963– )[x][y] Promoted to general, 1 Oct 2020. | |
80 | Jeffrey A. Rockwell | 18 May 2018 |
|
4 | 1987 (direct)[z] | 34 | ||
81 | Dorothy A. Hogg | 4 Jun 2018 |
|
3 | 1983 (direct) | 35 | (1959– ) First woman to serve as Surgeon General of the United States Air Force.[13] | |
* | James C. Slife | 29 Jun 2018 |
|
5 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1967– )[h] Promoted to general, 19 Dec 2023. | |
82 | Donald E. Kirkland | 7 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1988 (OTS) | 30 | ||
83 | Warren D. Berry | 17 Aug 2018 |
|
4 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 31 | ||
84 | Christopher P. Weggeman | 21 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1965– ) | |
* | Thomas A. Bussiere | 24 Aug 2018 |
|
4 | 1985 (Norwich) | 33 | (1963– ) Promoted to general, 7 Dec 2022. | |
85 | Joseph T. Guastella Jr. | 30 Aug 2018 |
|
4 | 1987 (USAFA) | 31 | (1965– ) | |
86 | Brian T. Kelly | 4 Sep 2018 |
|
4 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 30 | ||
87 | Jon T. Thomas | 4 Sep 2018 |
|
3 | 1989 (USAFA) | 29 | (1967– ) | |
88 | Richard W. Scobee | 7 Sep 2018 |
|
4 | 1986 (USAFA) | 32 | (1964– ) Son of astronaut and Space Shuttle Challenger commander Francis R. Scobee.[14] | |
89 | Timothy G. Fay | 1 Oct 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 31 | ||
90 | Thomas J. Sharpy | 12 Oct 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 31 | ||
91 | Michael T. Plehn | 22 Oct 2018 |
|
6 | 1988 (USAFA) | 30 | (1965– ) | |
* | David W. Allvin | 31 Jan 2019 |
|
1 | 1986 (USAFA) | 33 | (c. 1963– )[h][k] Promoted to general, 12 Nov 2020. | |
92 | Sami D. Said | 31 Jan 2019 |
|
3 | 1991 (OTS) | 28 | (1964– ) | |
* | Kevin B. Schneider | 5 Feb 2019 |
|
5 | 1988 (USAFA) | 31 | Promoted to general, 9 Feb 2024. | |
93 | Steven L. Basham | 1 May 2019 |
|
5 | 1989 (OTS) | 30 | (1965– ) | |
94 | Marc H. Sasseville | 18 Jun 2019 |
|
5 | 1985 (USAFA) | 34 | (1963– ) | |
* | Duke Z. Richardson | 20 Jun 2019 |
|
3 | 1989 (OTS)[aa] | 30 | (c. 1964– ) Promoted to general, 13 Jun 2022. | |
95 | Eric T. Fick | 11 Jul 2019 |
|
3 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 29 | ||
96 | David S. Nahom | 4 Sep 2019 |
|
5 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1966– ) | |
* | Glen D. VanHerck | 27 Sep 2019 |
|
1 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1962– )[r] Promoted to general, 20 Aug 2020. | |
* | Michael A. Minihan | 27 Sep 2019 |
|
2 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1967– ) Promoted to general, 5 Oct 2021. Son of Air Force lieutenant general Kenneth Minihan.[16] | |
97 | Scott A. Kindsvater | 27 Sep 2019 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
* | Timothy D. Haugh | 11 Oct 2019 |
|
5 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 28 | (1969– )[n] Promoted to general, 2 Feb 2024. | |
99 | Mary F. O'Brien | 8 Nov 2019 |
|
4 | 1989 (USAFA) | 30 | ||
* | James B. Hecker | 22 Nov 2019 |
|
3 | 1989 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1969– ) Promoted to general, 27 Jun 2022. |
Timeline
edit2010–2019
edit
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/ixfh96t8x5o0pn88rs20rifeucksok1.png)
History
editThe United States Air Force originated as the Air Corps of the Regular Army. During World War II the Regular Army was augmented with a larger temporary force of reservists, volunteers, and conscripts to form the Army of the United States. Air personnel in the combined force belonged to the Army Air Forces. After the war, all Air Corps and Army Air Forces personnel split off from the Army to form the independent Air Force.
1939–1947 (U.S. Army Air Forces)
editThe first United States airman to become a lieutenant general was Delos C. Emmons, commanding general of General Headquarters Air Force, who was appointed to that grade under a 1940 law authorizing the President to appoint Regular Army officers to temporary higher grades in the Army of the United States. The first airman to become a lieutenant general in the Regular Army was Frank M. Andrews, who was automatically elevated to that grade upon assuming command of the Panama Canal Department in 1941. The Regular Army grade of lieutenant general had been abolished at the end of World War I, but was revived in 1939 when Congress authorized the officers commanding certain important Army formations to be temporarily appointed to the grade while detailed to those positions; these commands included the four field armies and the Panama Canal and Hawaiian Departments.[18]
Numerous airmen were promoted to lieutenant general during World War II. Lieutenant generals typically commanded one of the numbered field armies or air forces; served as deputy theater commanders; or headed major headquarters staffs, administrative commands, or support organizations. Most World War II lieutenant generals were appointed to that grade in the Army of the United States, even if detailed to a position that already carried the Regular Army grade; unlike the ex officio Regular Army grade, which was lost if an officer was reassigned, the Army of the United States grade was personal to each individual, making it easier to transfer officers without inadvertently demoting them.[19]
Although most air lieutenant generals belonged to the Regular Army Air Corps, anyone could be appointed lieutenant general in the Army of the United States, including reservists and civilians; James H. Doolittle was promoted to lieutenant general as an Air Corps Reserve officer and William S. Knudsen was commissioned lieutenant general directly from civilian life.[20]
1947–1960 (U.S. Air Force)
editThe National Security Act of 1947 transferred all personnel in the Army Air Forces, Air Corps, and General Headquarters Air Force to the newly created United States Air Force. Lieutenant generals in the new service typically headed divisions of the Air Staff in Washington, D.C.; the unified command in Alaska; the theater air forces in Europe or the Far East; or the Air Force's top-level strategic, tactical, air defense, materiel, or transportation commands. Many early three-star commands were subsequently upgraded to four stars, and their vice commanders were elevated to three stars along with the commanders of the larger numbered air forces.[21]
All three- and four-star ranks were made ex officio by the Officer Personnel Act of 1947, meaning that a lieutenant general had to be reconfirmed in that grade every time he changed jobs. During the Korean War the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) vice commander for operations, Major General Otto P. Weyland, was slated for a three-star job in the United States but Air Force Chief of Staff Hoyt S. Vandenberg wanted Weyland to be promoted to lieutenant general while still in the war zone, so Vandenberg created the new three-star position of deputy commanding general of FEAF just for Weyland. Once promoted, Weyland immediately returned stateside but remained technically assigned to FEAF in order to keep his new grade while waiting for the Senate to confirm him in his permanent three-star assignment as commanding general of Tactical Air Command.[22]
It was rare but not unheard of for a lieutenant general to be demoted by accepting a transfer to a lower ranking job. Air Force Inspector General Truman H. Landon and Fifth Air Force commanding generals Frank F. Everest and Glenn O. Barcus all reverted to major general for their next assignments but regained their third stars in subsequent postings.[23] Conversely, Major General Muir S. Fairchild skipped three-star rank entirely when he was appointed to the four-star office of vice chief of staff of the Air Force.[24]
Modern use
editLieutenant generals in the Air Force typically serve in high-level command and staff positions,[25] including as commanders of major commands (MAJCOMs),[26] commanders of numbered air forces (NAF)[26][27] that are concurrently designated as service component commands under a four-star unified combatant commander and deputy commanders of four-star major commands. Under the Air Staff, this includes the director of staff and deputy chiefs of staff (limited to 8 by statute)[28] under the authority of the chief and vice chief of staff of the Air Force, as well as the inspector general[29] who answers directly to the service secretary. High-level specialty positions such as the surgeon general,[30] judge advocate general,[31] and chief of Air Force Reserve[32] may also hold three-star rank, though not by statute. The superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy and director of the Air National Guard have been three-star positions since 1983[ad] and 2002 respectively.
About 20 to 30 joint service three-star billets exist at any given time that can be occupied by an Air Force lieutenant general, among the most prestigious being the Director of the Joint Staff (DJS), principal staff advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and historically considered a stepping stone to four-star rank.[33] All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, as is the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau[34] and directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA).[35] Internationally based three-star positions include the deputy chair of the NATO Military Committee (DCMC), the United States military representative to the NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), and the security coordinator for the Palestinian National Authority in Israel. All nominees for three-star rank must be confirmed via majority by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank.[36]
Statutory limits, elevations and reductions
editThe U.S. Code states that no more than 35 officers[ae] in the U.S. Air Force may be promoted beyond the rank of major general and below the rank of general on the active duty list, with the exception of those on joint duty assignments.[37] However, the President[37] may designate up to 15 additional three-star appointments, with the condition that for every service branch allotted such additional three-star appointments, an equivalent number must be reduced from other service branches. Other exceptions exist for non-active duty or reserve appointments, as well as other circumstances.[38] As such, three-star positions can be elevated to four-star status or reduced to two-star status where deemed necessary, either to highlight their increasing importance[af] to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions. Several three-star positions have been created, consolidated, or even eliminated during this era.
- The rank of the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau was raised to lieutenant general in 2012 with the passage of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, achieving parity with the directors of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. Major General Joseph L. Lengyel was subsequently promoted and assumed the role of vice chief on 18 August 2012.[39][40] This was the fourth three-star billet allocated to the National Guard, the others being the aforementioned ARNG/ANG directors and the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command.[ag]
- The Air Force chief information officer became a civilian office in 2018, following similar restructuring by the Navy.[42] Lieutenant General Bradford J. Shwedo was the last commissioned officer to hold the CIO position, ceding control to his deputy, William E. Marion II[43] until his successor, under secretary of the Air Force Matthew P. Donovan assumed office.[44] Shwedo's military responsibilities were transferred to the then-DCS A2, Lieutenant General VeraLinn Jamieson as the new DCS A2/6 in 2019.[45]
- Air Education and Training Command (AETC), which had been a four-star major command since 1975[ah] was downgraded to three-star level to compensate for the elevation of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to a four-star command.[ai][47][48] Accordingly, the office of the assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration was raised to deputy chief of staff level with the rank of lieutenant general.[49] Lieutenant General Robin Rand was promoted to full general to assume command of AFGSC,[50] with Third Air Force commander, Lieutenant General Darryl Roberson relieving Rand at AETC and Major General Jack Weinstein being promoted to lieutenant general as the first DCS A10.[51]
- Five numbered air forces faced rank transitions between 2010 and 2019:
- First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) became a three-star command in August 2011, with Lieutenant General Stanley E. Clarke III assuming command from Major General Garry C. Dean on 31 August 2011.[52]
- Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) became a two-star command in August 2018, with Major General Andrew A. Croft assuming command from Lieutenant General Mark D. Kelly on 3 August 2018.[53]
- Fourteenth Air Force, the NAF attached to the Air Force Space Command was redesignated as Space Operations Command from December 2019 to October 2020 with the establishment of the U.S. Space Force. When SpOC was made into a separate field command, the former was redesignated back to Fourteenth Air Force and deactivated. The NAF's last two commanders, Major Generals Stephen N. Whiting and John E. Shaw became lieutenant generals in the Space Force.[54]
- Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) in 2019 was reactivated as a three-star command from the merger of the Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Fifth Air Forces, with Lieutenant General Timothy D. Haugh as its inaugural commander effective 11 October 2019.[55]
- Eighteenth Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) was reduced to a two-star command in July 2018, with Major General Sam C. Barrett assuming command from Lieutenant General Giovanni K. Tuck on 31 July 2018.[56]
Senate confirmations
editMilitary nominations are considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session.
- For example, the nomination of Lieutenant General Susan J. Helms for reappointment to rank to become vice commander of Air Force Space Command was withdrawn in November 2013,[1] after an eight-month-long hold by Senator Claire McCaskill due to concerns about her overturning the ruling in a sexual assault case under her command.[57][58] Helms subsequently submitted a request for retirement, effective 1 April 2014.[59][60]
- The nomination of Major General Ryan F. Gonsalves for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe was withdrawn in November 2017[61] after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer.[62] As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018.[62][63][64]
Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office.
- For example, Major General John G. Rossi, who had been confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general[65] and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016[66] died by suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command.[67] As a result, the then incumbent commander of USASMDC, Lieutenant General David L. Mann, remained in command beyond customary term limits until another nominee, Major General James H. Dickinson was confirmed by the Senate.[68]
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act explicitly prohibits adding new general officer billets to the Space Force beyond the sole four-star billet of the chief of space operations. This necessitated that five Air Force three-star appointments be transferred to the Space Force, leaving them with 30 as opposed to 35 available three-star positions.[69][70][37]
- For example, the position of commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) was transferred to the Space Force as the center transitioned into the Space Systems Command (SSC), the second Space Force field command to be established. The last Air Force general to command SMC, Lieutenant General John F. Thompson retired in August 2021[71] to make way for Lieutenant General Michael A. Guetlein, who assumed command of Space Systems Command on 13 August 2021.[72][73][74]
Legislative history
editThe following list of Congressional legislation includes all acts of Congress pertaining to appointments to the grade of lieutenant general in the United States Air Force from 2010 to 2019.[aj]
Each entry lists an act of Congress, its citation in the United States Statutes at Large or Public Law number, and a summary of the act's relevance, with officers affected by the act bracketed where applicable. Positions listed without reference to rank are assumed to be eligible for officers of three-star grade or higher.
Legislation | Citation | Summary |
---|---|---|
Act of January 7, 2011
[Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011] |
124 Stat. 4137 |
|
Act of December 31, 2011
[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012] |
125 Stat. 1298 |
|
Act of December 23, 2016
[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017] |
130 Stat. 2000 |
|
Act of December 12, 2019
[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020] |
133 Stat. 1346 |
|
See also
edit- Lieutenant general (United States)
- General officers in the United States
- List of active duty United States four-star officers
- List of active duty United States three-star officers
- List of United States Air Force four-star generals
- List of lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force before 1960
- List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals from 2000 to 2009
- List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals since 2020
- List of United States Space Force lieutenant generals
- List of United States military leaders by rank
References
edit- ^ a b "PN207 – Lt. Gen. Susan J. Helms – Air Force, 113th Congress (2013–2014)". U.S. Congress. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ Lamothe, Dan (17 March 2016). "'Sexually suggestive' relationship ends career of Air Force general who ran air war". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ^ "Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. Officially Appointed Angelo State University President". Texas Tech University System. 17 August 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ Samuelsohn, Darren (8 January 2014). "General out over sex-case decisions". Politico. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ Shinkman, Paul (12 August 2013). "First Female Air Force Academy Superintendent Takes Command". U.S. News. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ Roza, David (3 December 2019). "'If he was on the battlefield, he probably would've been shot in the back' — Inside the toxic command of Air Force Lt. Gen. Lee Levy". Task & Purpose. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ Heckman, Jory (14 February 2024). "VA sexual harassment investigation recommends firing, recouping bonuses from supervisors". Federal News Network. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Song, Sang-ho (30 July 2018). "Canadian three-star general takes office as deputy UNC chief". Yonhap News Agency. Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Pawlyk, Oriana (10 October 2016). "History-Making Air Force General Isn't About 'Firsts'". Military.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "General becomes 1st Black head of U.S. Air Force Academy". Colorado Sun. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Associated Press. 24 September 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "USAFA Superintendent names Institute for Future Conflict Director". U.S. Air Force Academy. Colorado: U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Meet the Executive Director - Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jay B. Silveria". Bush School of Government and Public Service. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ Mosier, Jeremy (11 May 2020). "A passion for helping and leading: Nurse leads Air Force Medical Service". Air University. Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Son of space shuttle Challenger commander remembers tragedy 33 years ago". WTKR. 27 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Lieutenant General Duke Z. Richardson". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "AMC enlisted force honors Minihan with Order of the Sword". Air Mobility Command. MacDill Air Force Base, Florida: Air Mobility Command Public Affairs. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Press statement by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chair of the NATO Military Committee following the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence session". NATO. NATO. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Army Register; ; Acts of July 31, 1940, and September 9, 1940.
- ^ Army Register; "Krueger Is In Line For New Command; President Prepares to Give Third Army Chief New Task by Confirming His Rank", The New York Times, p. 5, 9 February 1943; "63 Army Officers Move Up In Rank; 3 Named Lieutenant General, Eight Major General and 52 Brigadier General", The New York Times, p. 11, 5 May 1943.
- ^ DuPre, p. 59; "Knudsen the Only Civilian To Enter Army at His Rank", The New York Times, p. 9, 17 January 1942.
- ^ 2011 Air Force Almanac; Air Force Register.
- ^ Y'Blood, pp. 425, 442, 444–445, 477.
- ^ Air Force Register.
- ^ Puryear, p. 129.
- ^ "United States Air Force – O-9 Lieutenant General". FederalPay. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ a b 10 U.S.C. § 9065 – Commands: territorial organization
- ^ "Numbered Air Forces – Air Force Historical Research Agency". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 9035 – Deputy Chiefs of Staff and Assistant Chiefs of Staff.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 9020 – Inspector General.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 9036 – Surgeon General: appointment; duties.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 9037 – Judge Advocate General, Deputy Judge Advocate General: appointment; duties.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 9038 – Office of Air Force Reserve: appointment of Chief.
- ^ Woodward, Bob (2006). State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III. Simon and Schuster. pp. 22, 40. ISBN 978-0-7432-7223-0.
scott fry joint staff.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 10505 – Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
- ^ "On Raising the Rank of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau" (PDF). Library of Congress. Library of Congress. February 2007.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 601 – Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals.
- ^ a b c 10 U.S.C. § 525 – Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades.
- ^ Greenhill, Jim (19 June 2012). "Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Lengyel nominated as vice chief, National Guard Bureau". DVIDS. Arlington, Virginia: National Guard Bureau. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Greenhill, Jim (26 July 2012). "Chief, vice chief of National Guard Bureau confirmed". DVIDS. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Pub. L. 110–181: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (text) (PDF)
- ^ Miller, Jason (9 November 2018). "Air Force restructures CIO to bring business, IT and data closer together". Federal News Network. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Pomerlau, Mark (18 July 2018). "Air Force has new acting CIO". C4ISRNET. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Matthew P. Donovan". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Air Force merging intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance staffs with cyber operations staffs to forge more nimble, effective team". U.S. Air Force. Arlington, Virginia: Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "AFHRA Air Training Command Lineage & History". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
- ^ Christenson, Sig (28 February 2015). "Training Command loses a star". Express News. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Everstine, Brian (25 April 2015). "3-star nominated to head Air Education and Training Command". Air Force Times. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Air Force recommends four-star position for Global Strike Command". U.S. Air Force. Washington, D.C.: Air Force News Service. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
- ^ Everstine, Brian (31 March 2015). "Rand confirmed as first 4-star to lead Global Strike Command". Defense News. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Headquarters Nuclear post elevated to 3-stars, new leader assumes duties". U.S. Air Force. Washington, D. C.: Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. 25 November 2015. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Pope, Angela (31 August 2011). "First Air Force changes command, receives first three-star commander". Tyndall Air Force Base. AFNORTH Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Rangel, Danny (3 August 2018). "12th Air Force (AFSOUTH) Change of Command [Image 4 of 5]". DVIDS. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona: 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Chiles, Cody (27 December 2019). "14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command". U.S. Space Force. Vandenberg Air Force Base, California: Space Operations Command Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ Bultman, Lori (11 October 2019). "Air Force integrates missions, strengthens information warfare capabilities". U.S. Air Force. Joint Base San Antonio, Texas: 16th Air Force Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ Andriacco, Mike (31 July 2018). "Barrett takes command of 18th AF". U.S. Air Force. Scott Air Force Base, Illinois: 18th Air Force Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Senator puts hold on Air Force officer's promotion". Fox News. Associated Press. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ "Helms Nomination Withdrawn". Air Force Magazine. 18 November 2013. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ Carroll, Chris (8 November 2011). "Helms nomination for Space Command withdrawn". Stars and Stripes. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ ""H" - Air Force Biographies, Page 9". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ "PN762 — Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves — Army, 115th Congress (2017-2018)". U.S. Congress. 13 July 2017. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ a b Myers, Meghann (6 January 2018). "Army 2-star loses promotion after calling congressional staffer 'sweetheart'". Army Times. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Bryant, Kevin (10 January 2018). "Army general now 'special assistant' after 'sweetheart' comment to female staffer". KDH News. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ Vandiver, John (3 May 2018). "General retires 6 months after IG chastised his behavior toward congressional staffer". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "PN1329 — Maj. Gen. John G. Rossi — Army, 114th Congress (2015-2016)". U.S. Congress. 14 April 2016. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Rossi confirmed for appointment to SMDC". U.S. Army. Redstone Arsenal, Alabama: USASMDC/ARSTRAT Public Affairs. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ "Army: Two-star general died by suicide on Alabama military base". CBS News. Washington, D. C.: Associated Press. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "PN1823 — Maj. Gen. James H. Dickinson — Army, 114th Congress (2015-2016)". U.S. Congress. 15 November 2016. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ Gould, Joe; Insinna, Valerie (10 December 2019). "Congress creating Space Force with limited headroom". Defense News. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Pub. L. 116–92 (text) (PDF) – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
- ^ Mahshie, Abraham (3 August 2021). "Space and Missile Systems Center Commander Retires Ahead of Changeover to Space Force". Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 15 July 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "PN823 – Maj. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein – Space Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. 13 July 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Pons, Chip (13 August 2021). "SSC stands up, Guetlein takes command". DVIDS. Los Angeles Air Force Base, California: Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs (now Space Systems Command Public Affairs). Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "10 USC 720: Chief of Staff to President: appointment". www.uscode.house.gov. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "§203. Director of Missile Defense Agency". www.uscode.house.gov. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "§711. Senior members of Military Staff Committee of United Nations: appointment". www.uscode.house.gov. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
- ^ "§10506. Other senior National Guard Bureau officers". www.uscode.house.gov. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
Notes
edit- ^ a b Dates of rank are taken, where available, from the U.S. Air Force register of active and retired commissioned officers, or from the officer's official Air Force biography. The date listed is that of the officer's first promotion to lieutenant general. If such a date cannot be found, the next date substituted should be that of the officer's assumption of his/her first three-star appointment. Failing which, the officer's first Senate confirmation date to lieutenant general should be substituted.
- ^ a b Positions listed are those held by the officer when promoted to lieutenant general. Dates listed are for the officer's full tenure, which may predate promotion to three-star rank or postdate retirement from active duty. Positions held in an acting capacity are italicized.
- ^ a b The number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Date of rank" column from the last year in the "Position" column. Time spent between active-duty three-star assignments is not counted.
- ^ a b Sources of commission are listed in parentheses after the year of commission and include: the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA); the United States Military Academy (USMA); the United States Naval Academy (USNA); Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university; Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university; ROTC or AFROTC at a senior military college such as Texas A&M University (Texas A&M), the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI); Air Force Officer Training School (OTS); and direct commission (direct).
- ^ a b The number of years in commission before being promoted to three-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Commission" column from the year in the "Date of rank" column.
- ^ a b Notes include years of birth and death; awards of the Medal of Honor, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, or honors of similar significance; major government appointments; university presidencies or equivalents; familial relationships with other significant military officers or significant government officials such as U.S. Presidents, cabinet secretaries, U.S. Senators, or state governors; and unusual career events such as premature relief or death in office. Officers who served as enlisted airmen for 7 years or more prior to commissioning are also noted.
- ^ a b Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general.
- ^ a b c d e Served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF).
- ^ Commissioned into Air Force as second lieutenant, 1980–1990; on active duty under NASA, 1990–2002; on active duty with Air Force, 2002–2014.
- ^ Nomination as Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command withdrawn, 2013.[1]
- ^ a b c Served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF).
- ^ First nomination as commander, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) returned to the President, 2010.
- ^ Resigned, Apr 2014, and retired as major general.
- ^ a b c d e f Served as a combatant commander (CCDR).
- ^ Served as Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VJCS).
- ^ Commissioned as armor officer, 1981; transferred from Army National Guard, 1982.
- ^ Served as Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB).
- ^ a b c Served as Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (CDRNORAD).
- ^ Served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
- ^ Transferred to U.S. Space Force, 20 Dec 2019.
- ^ Served as Chief of Space Operations (CSO).
- ^ On active duty as major general, 2018–2019; retired as major general, Nov 2019.[6]
- ^ Served as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS).
- ^ Transferred to U.S. Space Force, 30 Mar 2020.
- ^ Served as Vice Chief of Space Operations (VCSO).
- ^ Directly commissioned via the JAG Corps Direct Appointment Program.
- ^ Enlisted in 1983 as avionics technician, commissioned as second lieutenant in 1989.[15]
- ^ as in the case of the Commander, Eleventh Air Force, dual-hatted as Commander, Alaskan Command and Alaskan NORAD Region.
- ^ as in the case of the Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, dual-hatted as Commander, Seventh Air Force, and Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, who is dual-hatted as Commander, Fifth Air Force.
- ^ While several lieutenant generals have served as superintendent since the academy's founding, there have been no Senate-confirmed officeholders below that rank since Robert E. Kelley, who was superintendent from 1981 to 1983.
- ^ The number of active duty lieutenant generals (for non-joint duty billets) authorized for the Air Force after subtracting nine officers holding the grade of general is 35.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 601 refers to positions held by four-star and three-star officers as "positions of importance and responsibility".
- ^ Per the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, at least one deputy commander of USNORTHCOM must be a National Guard officer unless the commander is already such an officer.[41]
- ^ as Air Training Command, before consolidating with Air University[46]
- ^ Congressional approval would be required to bypass the authorized limit of nine four-star commands.
- ^ Legislative history compiled from the U.S. Congress official website and U.S. Government Publishing Office official website.
- ^ redesignated director of the Joint Staff of the National Guard Bureau by NDAA 2005