List of United States Air Force three-star generals since 2010
This is a list of three-star generals in the United States Air Force since 2010. 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 specific number of authorized positions for it set by statute. It ranks above major general (two-star general) and below general (four-star general).
There have been 154 three-star generals in the U.S. Air Force since 1 January 2010, 27 of whom were elevated to four-star general. Of these, 154 achieved that rank while on active duty, zero were promoted after retirement, and zero were promoted posthumously. Lieutenant generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 72 were commissioned via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 52 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 16 via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), seven via AFROTC at a senior military college, six via direct commission (direct), and one via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university.
List of generals[]
Entries in the following list of three-star 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,[1] active-duty positions held while serving at three-star rank,[2] number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank (Yrs),[3] year commissioned and source of commission,[4] number of years in commission when promoted to three-star rank (YC),[5] and other biographical notes (years of birth and death are shown in parentheses in the Notes column).[6] 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 [1] | Position [2] | Yrs [3] | Commission [4] | YC [5] | Notes [6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Richard C. Harding | 02 Feb 2010 |
|
4 | 1980 (direct) | 30 | Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general. | |
* | Larry O. Spencer | 03 Apr 2010 |
|
2 | 1980 (OTS) | 30 | (1954– ) Promoted to general, 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 | - | |
3 | 26 Jul 2010 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | - | ||
4 | 06 Sep 2010 |
|
4 | 1979 (USAFA) | 31 | - | ||
5 | 09 Sep 2010 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | - | ||
6 | 07 Oct 2010 |
|
4 | 1980 (USAFA) | 34 | - | ||
7 | Burton M. Field | 25 Oct 2010 |
|
4 | 1979 (USAFA) | 31 | Retired, 2015. | |
8 | 16 Nov 2010 |
|
3 | 1977 (USAFA) | 33 | Retired, 2014. | ||
9 | 10 Dec 2010 |
|
4 | 1980 (USAFA) | 30 | - | ||
10 | 14 Dec 2010 |
|
3 | 1979 (AFROTC) | 31 | Retired, 2014. | ||
11 | James M. Kowalski | 06 Jan 2011 |
|
4 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1957– ) | |
12 | Susan J. Helms | 21 Jan 2011 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 31 | (1958– ) Former NASA astronaut who resided aboard the International Space Station in 2001. | |
13 | 02 Mar 2011 |
|
3 | 1979 (OTS) | 32 | - | ||
* | Ellen M. Pawlikowski | 03 Jun 2011 |
|
4 | 1978 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1956– ) Promoted to general, 2015. | |
14 | Bradley A. Heithold | 19 Jul 2011 |
|
7 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1956– ) Served in the enlisted ranks from 1974 to 1977 before being commissioned in 1981. | |
* | David L. Goldfein | 03 Aug 2011 |
|
4 | 1983 (USAFA) | 28 | (1959– ) Promoted to general, 2015. | |
15 | 12 Aug 2011 |
|
3 | 1982 (USAFA) | 29 | Retired, 2015. | ||
16 | Stanley E. Clarke III | 31 Aug 2011 |
|
4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 30 | Retired, 2016. | |
17 | 01 Sep 2011 |
|
3 | 1979 (USAFA) | 32 | - | ||
18 | 09 Sep 2011 |
|
4 | 1981 (USAFA) | 30 | - | ||
19 | Mark F. Ramsay | 23 Sep 2011 |
|
4 | 1982 (OTS) | 29 | (c. 1958– ) | |
20 | C.D. Moore II | 03 Oct 2011 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 31 | (1958– ) | |
21 | 07 Nov 2011 |
|
4 | 1979 (USAFA) | 32 | - | ||
22 | 17 Nov 2011 |
|
5 | 1983 (USAFA) | 28 | Relieved for sexual misconduct, 2016.[7] | ||
* | Robin Rand | 01 Dec 2011 |
|
2 | 1979 (USAFA) | 32 | (c. 1956– ) Promoted to general, 2013. | |
23 | Judith A. Fedder | 05 Dec 2011 |
|
4 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1958– ) | |
24 | Jan-Marc Jouas | 06 Jan 2012 |
|
2 | 1979 (USAFA) | 33 | Retired, 2015. | |
25 | 11 Jan 2012 |
|
3 | 1977 (AFROTC) | 35 | - | ||
26 | Craig A. Franklin | 30 Mar 2012 |
|
2 | 1981 (USAFA) | 31 | Retired as major general, 2014.[8] | |
* | John E. Hyten | 18 May 2012 |
|
2 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1959– ) Promoted to general, 2014. | |
27 | 10 Jul 2012 |
|
3 | 1981 (Norwich) | 31 | - | ||
28 | Thomas W. Travis | 13 Jul 2012 |
|
3 | 1976 (Virginia Tech) | 36 | Senior Vice President, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 2015–present. | |
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 | 03 Aug 2012 |
|
3 | 1989 (USAFA) | 23 | - | ||
* | Darren W. McDew | 06 Aug 2012 |
|
2 | 1982 (VMI) | 30 | (1960– ) Promoted to general, 2014. First African-American to command USTRANSCOM. | |
33 | Michael D. Dubie | 14 Aug 2012 |
|
3 | 1981 (ROTC) | 31 | (1960– ) Served 2 years in the enlisted ranks before being commissioned in 1981; transferred to Air National Guard, 1982. | |
* | Joseph L. Lengyel | 18 Aug 2012 |
|
4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1959– ) Promoted to general, 2016. | |
34 | Christopher C. Bogdan | 06 Dec 2012 |
|
5 | 1983 (USAFA) | 29 | - | |
35 | Gregory A. Biscone | 12 Jan 2013 |
|
3 | 1981 (USAFA) | 32 | - | |
36 | William H. Etter | 07 Mar 2013 |
|
3 | 1979 (AFROTC) | 34 | (c. 1957– ) | |
* | Lori J. Robinson | 20 May 2013 |
|
1 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 32 | (c. 1959– ) Promoted to general, 2014. First woman to command a unified combatant command. | |
37 | 24 Jun 2013 |
|
3 | 1982 (USAFA) | 31 | - | ||
* | James M. Holmes | 02 Aug 2013 |
|
4 | 1981 (OTS) | 32 | (1957– ) Promoted to general, 2017. | |
38 | 09 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. Force Academy as well as a Department of Defense service academy.[9] | |
40 | 30 Aug 2013 |
|
3 | 1981 (OTS) | 32 | Retired, 2017. | ||
* | Tod D. Wolters | 24 Sep 2013 |
|
3 | 1982 (USAFA) | 31 | (1960– ) Promoted to general, 2016. | |
41 | Douglas J. Robb | 01 Oct 2013 |
|
2 | 1979 (USAFA) | 34 | - | |
* | Stephen W. Wilson | 23 Oct 2013 |
|
3 | 1981 (Texas A&M) | 32 | (c. 1959– ) Promoted to general, 2016. | |
42 | Samuel D. Cox | 03 Dec 2013 |
|
4 | 1984 (USAFA) | 29 | (1961– ) | |
* | John W. Raymond | 31 Jan 2014 |
|
2 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 2016. Transferred to U.S. Space Force, 2019. | |
43 | Wendy M. Masiello | 08 May 2014 |
|
3 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 34 | (1958– ) | |
44 | Christopher F. Burne | 23 May 2014 |
|
4 | 1983 (direct) | 31 | Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general. | |
45 | 30 May 2014 |
|
3 | 1983 (USAFA) | 31 | (1960– ) | ||
46 | 16 Jun 2014 |
|
3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 30 | - | ||
47 | Samuel A. Greaves | 19 Jun 2014 |
|
5 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 37 | - | |
* | Carlton D. Everhart II | 20 Jun 2014 |
|
1 | 1983 (Virginia Tech) | 31 | (1961– ) Promoted to general, 2015. | |
48 | Anthony J. Rock | 17 Jul 2014 |
|
3 | 1982 (OTS) | 32 | (1959– ) | |
49 | 04 Aug 2014 |
|
3 | 1983 (USAFA) | 31 | - | ||
50 | Marshall B. Webb | 28 Aug 2014 |
|
7 | 1984 (USAFA) | 30 | (1961– ) | |
51 | 19 Sep 2014 |
|
3 | 1983 (AFROTC) | 31 | - | ||
52 | John F. Thompson | 02 Oct 2014 |
|
7 | 1984 (USAFA) | 30 | Longest-serving commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center. | |
53 | Steven L. Kwast | 10 Nov 2014 |
|
5 | 1986 (USAFA) | 28 | - | |
54 | Mark C. Nowland | 19 Dec 2014 |
|
4 | 1985 (USAFA) | 29 | (1958– ) | |
* | Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy | 19 Dec 2014 |
|
2 | 1986 (USAFA) | 28 | (c. 1964– ) Promoted to general, 2016. | |
55 | John B. Cooper | 22 May 2015 |
|
3 | 1983 (Citadel) | 32 | - | |
56 | John L. Dolan | 05 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 29 | (c. 1964– ) Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general. | |
57 | Mark A. Ediger | 05 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (direct) | 30 | - | |
58 | 05 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 30 | Retired as major general, 2019.[10][11] | ||
59 | 19 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1984 (USAFA) | 31 | - | ||
* | Arnold W. Bunch Jr. | 24 Jun 2015 |
|
4 | 1984 (USAFA) | 31 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 2019. | |
* | Charles Q. Brown Jr. | 29 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 2018. | |
* | Timothy M. Ray | 02 Jul 2015 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 30 | (1963– ) Promoted to general, 2018. | |
60 | John N.T. Shanahan | 11 Aug 2015 |
|
5 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 31 | - | |
61 | David J. Buck | 14 Aug 2015 |
|
2 | 1986 (OTS) | 29 | Retired, 2018. | |
62 | 15 Oct 2015 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 29 | First female personnel chief in Air Force history. | ||
63 | Jack Weinstein | 20 Nov 2015 |
|
3 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 33 | - | |
64 | 07 Jan 2016 |
|
3 | 1987 (OTS) | 29 | - | ||
65 | L. Scott Rice | 04 May 2016 |
|
4 | 1980 (AFROTC) | 36 | (1958– ) | |
66 | R. Scott Williams | 06 Jul 2016 |
|
3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 32 | - | |
67 | Thomas W. Bergeson | 08 Jul 2016 |
|
4 | 1985 (USAFA) | 31 | (1962– ) | |
* | Maryanne Miller | 15 Jul 2016 |
|
2 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 35 | (1961– ) Promoted to general, 2018. First Air Force Reserve officer to achieve the rank of general. | |
* | Jeffrey L. Harrigian | 22 Jul 2016 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1962– ) Promoted to general, 2019. | |
* | Kenneth S. Wilsbach | 16 Aug 2016 |
|
4 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 35 | (c. 1963– ) Promoted to general, 2020. | |
68 | Stayce D. Harris | 19 Aug 2016 |
|
3 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 35 | (1959– ) First female African-American lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force.[12] | |
* | Mark D. Kelly | 03 Oct 2016 |
|
4 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 30 | (c. 1962– ) Promoted to general, 2020. | |
69 | Jerry P. Martinez | 06 Oct 2016 |
|
3 | 1986 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1964– ) | |
70 | Richard M. Clark | 21 Oct 2016 |
|
5 | 1986 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1964– ) First African-American superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, 2010–2012. | |
71 | VeraLinn Jamieson | 02 Nov 2016 | 3 | 1982 (AFROTC) | 34 | (1960– ) Retired, 2020. | ||
72 | Steven M. Shepro | 03 Nov 2016 |
|
3 | 1984 (USAFA) | 32 | - | |
73 | Jerry D. Harris Jr. | 22 Feb 2017 | 2 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 32 | - | ||
74 | Robert D. McMurry Jr. | 02 May 2017 |
|
3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 33 | - | |
75 | Giovanni K. Tuck | 01 Jun 2017 |
|
3 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 30 | - | |
76 | Bradford J. Shwedo | 09 Jun 2017 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 30 | Retired, 2021. | |
77 | Scott A. Howell | 02 Aug 2017 |
|
4 | 1987 (USAFA) | 30 | (1965– ) | |
78 | James C. Vechery | 02 Aug 2017 |
|
3 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1966– ) | |
79 | Jay B. Silveria | 11 Aug 2017 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 32 | (c. 1963– ) | |
* | Jacqueline D. Van Ovost | 08 Nov 2017 |
|
3 | 1988 (USAFA) | 29 | (1965– ) Promoted to general, 2020. | |
* | Anthony J. Cotton | 15 Feb 2018 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 32 | Promoted to general, 2021. | |
* | David D. Thompson | 04 Apr 2018 |
|
2 | 1985 (USAFA) | 33 | (c. 1963– ) Transferred to U.S. Space Force and promoted to general, 2020. | |
80 | Jeffrey A. Rockwell | 18 May 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (direct) | 34 | - | |
81 | Dorothy A. Hogg | 04 Jun 2018 |
|
3 | 1984 (direct) | 34 | First woman and first nurse to serve as Air Force surgeon general.[13] | |
82 | James C. Slife | 29 Jun 2018 |
|
3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1967– ) | |
83 | Donald E. Kirkland | 07 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1988 (OTS) | 30 | - | |
84 | Warren D. Berry | 17 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 31 | - | |
85 | Christopher P. Weggeman | 21 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1965– ) | |
86 | Thomas A. Bussiere | 24 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1985 (Norwich) | 33 | (1963– ) | |
87 | Joseph T. Guastella Jr. | 30 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 31 | (1965– ) | |
88 | Brian T. Kelly | 04 Sep 2018 |
|
3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 29 | - | |
89 | Jon T. Thomas | 04 Sep 2018 |
|
3 | 1989 (USAFA) | 29 | (1967– ) | |
90 | Richard W. Scobee | 07 Sep 2018 |
|
3 | 1986 (USAFA) | 32 | (1964– ) Son of NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle Challenger commander Dick Scobee. | |
91 | Timothy G. Fay | 01 Oct 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
92 | Thomas J. Sharpy | 12 Oct 2018 |
|
3 | 1987 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
93 | Michael T. Plehn | 22 Oct 2018 |
|
3 | 1988 (USAFA) | 30 | (1965– ) | |
* | David W. Allvin | 31 Jan 2019 |
|
1 | 1986 (USAFA) | 33 | (c. 1963– ) Promoted to general, 2020. | |
94 | Sami D. Said | 31 Jan 2019 |
|
2 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1964– ) | |
95 | Kevin B. Schneider | 05 Feb 2019 |
|
2 | 1988 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
96 | Steven L. Basham | 01 May 2019 |
|
2 | 1989 (OTS) | 30 | (1965– ) | |
97 | Marc H. Sasseville | 18 Jun 2019 |
|
2 | 1985 (USAFA) | 34 | (1963– ) First Hispanic American to command the 113th Wing. | |
98 | Duke Z. Richardson | 20 Jun 2019 |
|
2 | 1983 (OTS) | 36 | - | |
99 | Eric T. Fick | 11 Jul 2019 |
|
2 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 29 | - | |
100 | David S. Nahom | 04 Sep 2019 |
|
2 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1966– ) | |
101 | Scott A. Kindsvater | 27 Sep 2019 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 30 | - | |
* | Michael A. Minihan | 27 Sep 2019 |
|
2 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1967– ) Promoted to general, 2021. | |
* | Glen D. VanHerck | 27 Sep 2019 |
|
1 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 2020. | |
102 | Timothy D. Haugh | 11 Oct 2019 |
|
2 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 28 | Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general. | |
103 | Mary F. O'Brien | 08 Nov 2019 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 30 | - | |
104 | James B. Hecker | 22 Nov 2019 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 30 | - | |
105 | David A. Krumm | 20 Apr 2020 |
|
1 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1967– ) | |
106 | Scott L. Pleus | 12 Jun 2020 |
|
1 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 31 | - | |
107 | S. Clinton Hinote | 15 Jun 2020 |
|
1 | 1992 (USAFA) | 28 | - | |
108 | Gregory M. Guillot | 16 Jul 2020 |
|
1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
109 | Carl E. Schaefer | 21 Jul 2020 |
|
1 | 1990 (USAFA) | 30 | - | |
110 | Michael A. Loh | 22 Jul 2020 |
|
1 | 1984 (USAFA) | 36 | (1962– ) Son of retired Air Force four-star general John M. Loh. | |
111 | Kirk S. Pierce | 29 Jul 2020 |
|
1 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 32 | - | |
112 | Tony D. Bauernfeind | 31 Jul 2020 |
|
1 | 1991 (USAFA) | 29 | - | |
113 | Kirk W. Smith | 04 Aug 2020 |
|
1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
114 | Brian S. Robinson | 14 Aug 2020 |
|
1 | 1987 (OTS) | 33 | - | |
115 | Jeffrey A. Kruse | 16 Aug 2020 |
|
1 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 30 | - | |
116 | Charles L. Moore Jr. | 03 Sep 2020 |
|
1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
117 | Shaun Q. Morris | 03 Sep 2020 |
|
1 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | - | |
118 | Sam C. Barrett | 04 Sep 2020 |
|
1 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | - | |
119 | James C. Dawkins Jr. | 01 Oct 2020 |
|
1 | 1989 (OTS) | 31 | - | |
120 | Andrew A. Croft | 28 Dec 2020 |
|
1 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1965– ) | |
121 | Robert J. Skinner | 25 Feb 2021 |
|
0 | 1989 (OTS) | 32 | - | |
122 | Robert I. Miller | 04 Jun 2021 |
|
0 | 1985 (direct) | 36 | - | |
123 | Russell L. Mack | 16 Aug 2021 |
|
0 | 1988 (OTS) | 33 | - | |
124 | Tom D. Miller | 17 Aug 2021 |
|
0 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 31 | - | |
125 | James A. Jacobson | 20 Aug 2021 |
|
0 | 1990 (USAFA) | 31 | - | |
126 | Mark E. Weatherington | 23 Aug 2021 |
|
0 | 1990 (USAFA) | 31 | (1967– ) | |
127 | Ricky N. Rupp | 27 Aug 2021 |
|
0 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 33 | - |
Timeline[]
There are 29 three-star billets in the United States Air Force.[14] Three-star generals in the Air Force typically serve in high-level command and staff positions throughout the service,[15] including as commanders of major commands (MAJCOMs),[16] commanders of numbered air forces (NAF)[16][17] that are concurrently designated as service component commands under a four-star unified combatant commander and deputy commanders of Air Force four-star commands, such as the deputy commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. Staff-level positions include the director of staff and deputy chiefs of staff (limited to 8 by statute)[18] under the authority of the chief and vice chief of staff of the Air Force, as well as the inspector general of the department of the Air Force[19] who answers directly to the service secretary. High-level specialty positions such as the surgeon general,[20] judge advocate general,[21] and chief of Air Force Reserve[22] 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[23] 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 three-star 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.[24] All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, as is the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau[25] and directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA).[26] 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.
Statutory limits, elevations and reductions[]
The U.S. Code states that no more than 30 officers 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.[27] However, the President[27] 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.[28] 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[29] 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 entirely during this era.
- The vice chief of the National Guard Bureau (renamed director of the joint staff of the National Guard Bureau from 2005 to 2012) became a three-star office for the first time in 2012 with the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, achieving parity with the three-star directors of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard. Joseph L. Lengyel became the tenth and first three-star vice chief of the National Guard Bureau on August 18, 2012.[30][31] This marked a fourth three-star billet allocated to the National Guard, the others being the directors of the National Guard service branches and the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command.[32]
- Bradley Heithold became the first vice commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command in 2011, a deputy to the combatant commander who is traditionally an Air Force three-star general.
- The position of Air Force chief information officer was elevated to a civilian office in 2018, following similar restructuring by the Navy.[33] Bradford J. Shwedo became the last commissioned officer to hold the CIO position, ceding control to his deputy, Bill Marion[34] until his successor, under secretary of the Air Force Matthew P. Donovan assumed office.[35]
- Air Education and Training Command (AETC), which had been a four-star major command since 1975[36] was downgraded to three-star level to compensate for the elevation of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to a four-star command.[37][38][39] The accompanying re-organization of forces also resulted in the elevation of the office of the assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration to a deputy chief of staff with three-star rank.[40] Accordingly, AETC commander Robin Rand was promoted to four-star general to assume command of AFGSC, with Third Air Force commander Darryl Roberson relieving Rand in the former post and Jack Weinstein being promoted to lieutenant general as the first DCS A10.
- Several numbered air forces became or were established as three-star commands, or reduced to two-star status during this era:
- First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) became a three-star command in August 2011, with Stanley E. Clarke III assuming command from Garry C. Dean on August 31, 2011.[41]
- Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) became a two-star command in August 2018, with Andrew A. Croft assuming command from Mark D. Kelly on August 3, 2018.[42]
- 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. 14 AF's last two commanders, Stephen N. Whiting and John E. Shaw were both promoted to lieutenant general in the Space Force.[43]
- Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) was reactivated as a three-star command in October 2019 with the merger of the Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Fifth Air Forces, with Timothy D. Haugh, formerly the 25 AF commander, as its inaugural commander effective October 11, 2019.[44]
- Eighteenth Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) was reduced to a two-star command in July 2018, with Sam C. Barrett assuming command from Giovanni K. Tuck on July 31, 2018.[45]
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 24 as opposed to 29 available three-star positions.[46][47][27]
- 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 established after the Space Operations Command (SpOC). The last Air Force general to command SMC, John F. Thompson retired in August 2021[48] to make way for Michael A. Guetlein, who assumed command of Space Systems Command on August 13, 2021.[49][50][51]
Three-star positions (2010 onwards)[]
Three-star generals (2010 onwards)[]
See also[]
- 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 United States Army three-star generals since 2010
- List of United States Marine Corps three-star generals since 2010
- List of United States Navy three-star admirals since 2010
- List of United States Space Force three-star generals
- List of United States military leaders by rank
- Staff (military)
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: 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.
- ^ Jump up to: 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.
- ^ Jump up to: 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. For those presently in their position, values are as of 2020. Time spent between active-duty three-star assignments is not counted, nor is time spent on special duty as an unassigned general of the Air Force.
- ^ Jump up to: 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); Officer Candidate School (OCS); the aviation cadet program (cadet); the Army National Guard (ARNG); the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF); and direct commission (direct).
- ^ Jump up to: 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.
- ^ Jump up to: 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.
- ^ Lamothe, Dan (17 March 2016). "'Sexually suggestive' relationship ends career of Air Force general who ran air war". The Washington Post.
- ^ Franklin's reduction in rank was because he had failed to meet the three-years' time-in-grade for retirement at three-star rank. He only served 22 months in a three-star position as commander of Third Air Force before submitting an early request for retirement. Nancy Montgomery (9 January 2014). "Franklin will retire as a two-star, officials say".
- ^ The first woman to command a U.S. service academy in general was Coast Guard admiral Sandra L. Stosz, who was Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 2011 to 2015.
- ^ Demotion caused for allegations of mistreating subordinates. Losey, Stephen (26 November 2019). "'Oink, oink.' Lieutenant general belittled staff, mocked female airman's weight, IG found. It cost him a star". Air Force Times.
- ^ Served as a special assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 2018 to his retirement in 2019.
- ^ Also first three-star Air Force reservist not to be Commander, Air Force Reserve Command.
- ^ Staff Sgt. Jeremy L. Mosier (11 May 2020). "A passion for helping and leading: Nurse leads Air Force Medical Service". Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.
- ^ Not including Air Force commands dual-hatted as joint duty assignments including the commanders of Fifth Air Force, Seventh Air Force and Eleventh Air Force.
- ^ "United States Air Force - O-9 Lieutenant General". Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b 10 U.S.C. § 9065 - Commands: territorial organization
- ^ "Numbered Air Forces - Air Force Historical Research Agency". U.S. Air Force.
- ^ 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.
- ^ There exists several three-star superintendents since the academy's founding, but there have been no Senate-confirmed officeholders below the rank of lieutenant general since Winfield W. Scott Jr. assumed office in June 1983.
- ^ 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. February 2007.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c 10 U.S.C. § 525 - Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades.
- ^ 10 U.S.C. § 601 refers to positions held by four-star and three-star officers as "positions of importance and responsibility".
- ^ Greenhill, Jim (19 June 2012). "Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Lengyel nominated as vice chief, National Guard Bureau". DVIDS.
- ^ Greenhill, Jim (26 July 2012). "Chief, vice chief of National Guard Bureau confirmed". DVIDS.
- ^ Per the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, at least one deputy commander of USNORTHCOM must be a National Guard or Reserve general or flag officer unless the commander is already such an officer. See [1] Pub.L. 110-181: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, and [2] Pub.L. 110-181: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 full text
- ^ Miller, Jason (9 November 2018). "Air Force restructures CIO to bring business, IT and data closer together". Federal News Network.
- ^ Pomerlau, Mark (18 July 2018). "Air Force has new acting CIO". C4ISRNET.
- ^ "MATTHEW P. DONOVAN". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ as Air Training Command, before consolidating with the Air University
- ^ Congressional approval would be required to bypass the authorized limit of nine four-star commands.
- ^ Christenson, Sig (28 February 2015). "Training Command loses a star". Express News.
- ^ Everstine, Brian (25 April 2015). "3-star nominated to head Air Education and Training Command". Air Force Times.
- ^ "Air Force recommends four-star position for Global Strike Command". U.S. Air Force. 28 May 2014.
- ^ "First Air Force changes command, receives first three-star commander". Tyndall Air Force Base. 31 August 2011.
- ^ "12th Air Force (AFSOUTH) Change of Command [Image 4 of 5]". DVIDS. 3 August 2018.
- ^ Chiles, Cody (27 December 2019). "14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command". Space Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ Bultman, Lori. "Air Force integrates missions, strengthens information warfare capabilities". U.S. Air Force. Sixteenth Air Force Public Affairs.
- ^ "Barrett takes command of 18th AF". U.S. Air Force.
- ^ "Congress creating Space Force with limited headroom". Defense News. 10 December 2019.
- ^ Pub.L. 116–92 (text) (pdf) - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
- ^ "Lt. General John F. Thompson Retires From U.S.A.F. Active Service At The Space & Missile Systems Center, L.A.F.B." Sat News. 3 August 2021.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ "PN823 — Maj. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein — Space Force". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Pons, Chip (13 August 2021). "SSC stands up, Guetlein takes command". DVIDS. Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs.
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- Three-star officers