James M. Kowalski (born October 30, 1957) is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command from 2013 to 2015.
James Kowalski | |
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| Born | October 30, 1957 Columbus, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1980–2015 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Air Force Global Strike Command 28th Bomb Squadron 2d Operations Group 28th Bomb Wing 552nd Air Control Wing |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal |
Military career edit
Kowalski entered active duty in 1980 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing and an air control wing over his 35-year career. Kowalski retired from active duty on 1 September 2015.
Kowalski's contingency and wartime experience include command of the 2nd Operations Group when the unit deployed B-52s for combat during operations Noble Anvil and Allied Force, and command of the 28th Bomb Wing when it deployed B-1Bs for Operation Iraqi Freedom. From January 2003 to May 2003, Kowalski commanded the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia where he led a combined wing of B-1Bs, E-3s and KC-135s to provide strike, battle management, and air refueling for operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. His previous staff assignments include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served as Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command until October 2013, when he became Deputy Commander of U.S. Strategic Command. He retired on September 1, 2015.[1]
Awards and decorations edit
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US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
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Basic Parachutist Badge |
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Master Missile Operations Badge |
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Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
Dates of promotion edit
| Insignia | Rank | Date |
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Lieutenant general | Jan. 6, 2011 |
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Major general | May 7, 2009 |
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Brigadier general | Nov. 1, 2005 |
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Colonel | May 1, 1999 |
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Lieutenant colonel | Mar. 1, 1994 |
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Major | Jan. 1, 1990 |
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Captain | Mar. 14, 1983 |
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First lieutenant | Mar. 14, 1981 |
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Second lieutenant | Jun. 9, 1979 |
References edit
This article incorporates public domain material from Lieutenant General James Kowalski Biography. United States Air Force.
- ^ a b "Lieutenant General James M. Kowalski". United States Air Force. July 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2021.