Jacqueline Desiree Van Ovost (born September 29, 1965)[1] is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the 14th commander of United States Transportation Command from 2021 to 2024. She was nominated to that post by President Biden on March 5, 2021.[2] Van Ovost had previously served as the commander of Air Mobility Command from 2020 to 2021. In early 2021, she was the only active-duty female four-star general officer in the United States.[3]
Jacqueline Van Ovost | |
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| Born | September 29, 1965 Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S. |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1988–2024 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | |
| Alma mater | United States Air Force Academy (BS) California State University, Fresno (MS) Air University (MMAS, MS) |
Education
editVan Ovost received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. After commissioning into the US Air Force, she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (1989) followed by U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (1994).[4] Van Ovost holds master's degrees from California State University, Fresno in mechanical engineering (1996), from Air Command and Staff College in military arts and sciences (1999), and from Air War College in strategic studies (2004).[4]
Military career
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Early career
editVan Ovost was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. She attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base (now the Reese Technology Center) and graduated in 1989. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and is a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours in more than 30 aircraft, including the C-32A, C-17A, C-141B, and KC-135R. Even further, Van Ovost was an Instructor Pilot for the Test Pilot School.[4] Van Ovost's notable military assignments include Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center (2012–13), Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe, NATO, Russia) in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) of the Joint Staff (2013–15), Vice Director for the Joint Staff (2015-17), Director of Staff at Headquarters Air Force (2017-2020), and Deputy Commander of Air Mobility Command (April 2020-August 2020).[4]
Air Mobility Command
editOn July 20, 2020, the Senate confirmed Van Ovost as commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC), a major command (MAJCOM) of the Air Force; Van Ovost also gained her fourth-star.[5] She replaced retiring AMC commanding Gen. Maryanne Miller, under whom she served as AMC's deputy commander, on August 20, 2020.[6] Van Ovost served as AMC Commander until she relinquished command on October 5, 2021.[2] In preparation for her expected confirmation as TRANSCOM head, President Biden nominated United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) deputy commander Lt. Gen. Michael Minihan to replace Van Ovost as AMC commander.[7]
Transportation Command nomination
editOn March 6, 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that President Biden had nominated Van Ovost to become commander of United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM).[8] Her nomination was sent to the Senate on March 5, 2021.[9] Her nomination was originally recommended by then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, but Esper later delayed it until after the 2020 United States presidential election due to his concerns of the Trump administration's possible reaction against nominating women to such high leadership positions.[10][11] Van Ovost's nomination hearings to head TRANSCOM were held before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 23, 2021.[12][13][14] She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on October 1, 2021 and assumed command on October 15, 2021, becoming the second woman to lead a unified combatant command after General Lori Robinson.[15][16]
Awards and decorations
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U.S. Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
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Headquarters Air Force Badge |
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United States Transportation Command Badge |
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Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
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Effective dates of promotion
edit| Insignia | Rank | Date |
|---|---|---|
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General | Aug. 20, 2020 |
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Lieutenant general | Nov. 8, 2017 |
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Major general | May 22, 2015 |
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Brigadier general | Aug. 2, 2012 |
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Colonel | Dec. 1, 2006 |
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Lieutenant colonel | May 1, 2001 |
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Major | Aug. 1, 1998 |
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Captain | June 1, 1992 |
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First lieutenant | June 1, 1990 |
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Second lieutenant | June 1, 1988 |
References
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This article incorporates public domain material from Jacqueline Van Ovost. United States Air Force. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "Brig Gen Jacqueline D. Van Ovost". Military Hall of Honor. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ a b Everstine, Brian W. (March 8, 2021). "Van Ovost Tapped to Lead TRANSCOM, New Bosses Named for SOUTHCOM and INDOPACOM". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Van Ovost Sworn in as AMC Boss, Becoming Military's Only Female Four Star". airforcemag.com.
- ^ a b c d e "General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost". Biographies. United States Air Force. February 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ Everstine, Brian W. (July 24, 2020). "Senate Confirms New Bosses of AMC, ACC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ Losey, Stephen (August 21, 2020). "Gen. Van Ovost takes the reins at Air Mobility Command". Air Force Times. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ Cohen, Rachel (July 15, 2021). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Air Force Times. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "General Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "PN237 — Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost — Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene (February 17, 2021). "Promotions for Female Generals Were Delayed Over Fears of Trump's Reaction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ Everstine, Brian W. (February 17, 2021). "Report: AMC Boss Expected to be Nominated to Lead TRANSCOM". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "PN237 - 1 nominee for Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. March 5, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ McCullough, Amy (July 14, 2021). "Biden Nominates First Commander for Space Systems Command, New Boss at AMC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ "Nomination - Van Ovost". U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Cohen, Rachel S. (July 16, 2021). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Defense News. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ "Webcast: TRANSCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Vorhees, Brien (October 4, 2024). "USTRANSCOM Change of Command [Image 9 of 16]". DVIDS. U.S. Transportation Command. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
External links
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Media related to Jacqueline D. Van Ovost at Wikimedia Commons
