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lieutenant general

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).

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

Entries 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.

List of U.S. Air Force lieutenant generals from 2010 to 2019
# 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  
  • Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, J8, 2010–2012.
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  
  • Commander, NATO Special Operations Headquarters (CDRNSHQ), 2010–2013.
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  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Air Staff (DCS A1), 2010–2013.
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  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Air Staff (DCS A4/7), 2011–2015.
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–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 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  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Air Staff (DCS A4/7), 2015–2018.
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  
  • Director for Defense Intelligence (Warfighter Support) (DDIWS), 2015–2017.
  • Director for Defense Intelligence (Warfighter Support)/Director, Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team (Project Maven) (DDIWS/DIRAWCFT), 2017–2018.
  • Director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (DIRJAIC), 2018–2020.
5 1984 ( AFROTC) 31 (1962–        )
61 David J. Buck 14 Aug 2015   2 1986 ( OTS) 29
62 Gina M. Grosso 15 Oct 2015  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Air Staff (DCS A1), 2015–2018.
3 1986 ( AFROTC) 29 (1964–        ) U.S. Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness, 2021–present. [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  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Air Staff (DCS A5/8), 2017–2018.
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Air Staff (DCS A8), 2018–2019.
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  
  • Chief, Information Dominance/Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF/CIO A6), 2017–2018.
  • Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber and Chief Information Officer, Joint Staff, J6, 2018–2020.
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  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Air Staff (DCS A4), 2018–2022.
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  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Air Staff (DCS A1), 2018–2022.
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.
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

2010–2019

For lieutenant generals who are dual-hatted as both numbered air force (NAF) commanders and commander [ab] or deputy commander [ac] of a joint force, the service-specific command is to be prioritized.

James Hecker Mary F. O'Brien Timothy D. Haugh Scott Kindsvater Michael Minihan Glen D. VanHerck David S. Nahom Eric Fick Duke Richardson Marc H. Sasseville Steven L. Basham Kevin Schneider Sami D. Said David W. Allvin Michael T. Plehn Thomas Sharpy Timothy G. Fay Richard W. Scobee Jon T. Thomas Brian T. Kelly Joseph T. Guastella Thomas A. Bussiere Christopher P. Weggeman Warren D. Berry Donald Kirkland James C. Slife Dorothy A. Hogg Jeffrey A. Rockwell David D. Thompson Anthony J. Cotton Jacqueline Van Ovost Jay B. Silveria Scott A. Howell James C. Vechery Bradford Shwedo Giovanni K. Tuck Robert McMurry Jerry D. Harris Steven M. Shepro VeraLinn Jamieson Richard M. Clark Jerry P. Martinez Mark D. Kelly Stayce Harris Kenneth S. Wilsbach Jeffrey L. Harrigian Maryanne Miller Thomas W. Bergeson R. Scott Williams L. Scott Rice John D. Bansemer Jack Weinstein (general) Gina Grosso David J. Buck John N.T. Shanahan Timothy Ray Charles Q. Brown Jr. Arnold W. Bunch Jr. Jeffrey G. Lofgren Lee K. Levy II Mark A. Ediger John L. Dolan John B. Cooper Mark Nowland Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy Steven L. Kwast John F. Thompson (general) William J. Bender Marshall B. Webb James K. McLaughlin Anthony J. Rock Carlton D. Everhart II Samuel Greaves Thomas J. Trask Darryl Roberson Christopher F. Burne Wendy M. Masiello John W. Raymond Samuel D. Cox Stephen W. Wilson Douglas J. Robb Tod D. Wolters Mark O. Schissler Michelle D. Johnson Russell J. Handy James M. Holmes Robert P. Otto Lori Robinson William H. Etter Gregory A. Biscone Christopher C. Bogdan Joseph L. Lengyel Michael Dubie Darren W. McDew Noel T. Jones James F. Jackson Andrew E. Busch Salvatore A. Angelella Thomas W. Travis Bruce A. Litchfield John E. Hyten Craig A. Franklin Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. Jan-Marc Jouas Judith Fedder Robin Rand John W. Hesterman III Steven L. Hoog C. D. Moore Mark F. Ramsay Brooks L. Bash Charles R. Davis Stanley E. Clarke III David S. Fadok David L. Goldfein Bradley Heithold Ellen M. Pawlikowski Michael J. Basla Susan Helms James Kowalski Darrell D. Jones Stanley T. Kresge Kurt A. Cichowski Burton M. Field Michael R. Moeller Douglas H. Owens Stephen P. Mueller Frank J. Kisner Eric E. Fiel Larry O. Spencer Richard C. Harding Iraq War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

History

The 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)

Delos C. Emmons

The 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. [17]

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. [18]

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. [19]

1947–1960 (U.S. Air Force)

Otto P. Weyland

The 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. [20]

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. [21]

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. [22] 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. [23]

Modern use

Lt Gen L. Scott Rice, incoming director of the Air National Guard, is pinned with his new rank by his wife Nancy and Gen. Frank J. Grass on 10 May 2016.

Lieutenant generals in the Air Force typically serve in high-level command and staff positions, [24] including as commanders of major commands (MAJCOMs), [25] commanders of numbered air forces (NAF) [25] [26] 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) [27] under the authority of the chief and vice chief of staff of the Air Force, as well as the inspector general [28] who answers directly to the service secretary. High-level specialty positions such as the surgeon general, [29] judge advocate general, [30] and chief of Air Force Reserve [31] 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.

Lt Gen Anthony J. Cotton assumes command from Lt Gen Steven L. Kwast as the 15th commander of Air University on 15 February 2018.

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. [32] All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, as is the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau [33] and directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIRDIA). [34] 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. [35]

Statutory limits, elevations and reductions

Lt Gen James "JJ" Jackson is presented with the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal by CSAF Mark Welsh at his promotion ceremony on 16 August 2012.

The 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. [36] However, the President [36] 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. [37] 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.

Lt Gen Stanley E. Clarke III assumes command of First Air Force from Maj Gen Garry C. Dean on 31 August 2011.

Senate confirmations

Lt Gen Gina M. Grosso is pinned with her new rank by family members at the Pentagon on 16 November 2015.
Lt Gen Lori J. Robinson is presented with her new three-star flag by Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage III on 17 May 2013.

Military 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. [56] [57] Helms subsequently submitted a request for retirement, effective 1 April 2014. [58] [59]
  • 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 [60] after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer. [61] As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018. [61] [62] [63]

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 [64] and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016 [65] died by suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command. [66] 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. [67]

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. [68] [69] [36]

Legislative history

The 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.

List of legislation on appointments of lieutenant generals from 2010 to 2019
Legislation Citation Summary
Act of January 7, 2011

[Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011]

 124  Stat.  4137
  • Authorized officers frocked to grade of lieutenant general or general to wear the insignia of that grade for up to 14 days before assuming position for which that grade is authorized.
  • Repealed 30-day waiting period following congressional notification before officers below grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral may wear insignia of the next higher grade.
Act of December 31, 2011

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012]

 125  Stat.  1298
  • Reestablished position of vice chief of the National Guard Bureau [ak] and assigned officeholder statutory grade of lieutenant general ( Joseph L. Lengyel).
  • Excluded the chief and vice chief of the National Guard Bureau from general and flag officer distribution limits.
Act of December 23, 2016

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017]

 130  Stat.  2000
  • Repealed authorization for the Chief of Staff to the President, if a general or flag officer of the United States Armed Forces, to be designated a position of importance and responsibility with grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. [74]
  • Removed statutory requirement for the director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center, if a commissioned officer, to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral.
  • Repealed statutory requirement for the director of the Missile Defense Agency, if a commissioned officer, to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. [75]
  • Repealed statutory requirement for senior members of the United Nations Military Staff Committee to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. [76]
  • Repealed statutory requirement for the directors of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard to hold grade of lieutenant general ( L. Scott Rice). [77]
  • Repealed statutory requirement for the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition to hold grade of lieutenant general ( Arnold W. Bunch Jr.).
  • Repealed statutory requirement for the judge advocate general of the Air Force to hold grade of lieutenant general ( Christopher F. Burne).
  • Repealed statutory requirement for the chief of Air Force Reserve to hold grade of lieutenant general ( Maryanne Miller).
Act of December 12, 2019

[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020]

 133  Stat.  1346
  • Required advice and consent of the Senate on any proposal by the secretary of defense to increase the retired grade of any military officer through the reopening of the determination or certification of said officer's retired grade.

See also

References

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  36. ^ a b c 10 U.S.C.  § 525 – Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades.
  37. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 526 – Authorized strength: general and flag officers on active duty.
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Notes

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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).
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general.
  8. ^ a b c d e Served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF).
  9. ^ Commissioned into Air Force as second lieutenant, 1980–1990; on active duty under NASA, 1990–2002; on active duty with Air Force, 2002–2014.
  10. ^ Nomination as Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command withdrawn, 2013. [1]
  11. ^ a b c Served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF).
  12. ^ First nomination as commander, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) returned to the President, 2010.
  13. ^ Resigned, Apr 2014, and retired as major general.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Served as a combatant commander (CCDR).
  15. ^ Served as Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VJCS).
  16. ^ Commissioned as armor officer, 1981; transferred from Army National Guard, 1982.
  17. ^ Served as Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB).
  18. ^ a b c Served as Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (CDRNORAD).
  19. ^ Served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
  20. ^ Transferred to U.S. Space Force, 20 Dec 2019.
  21. ^ Served as Chief of Space Operations (CSO).
  22. ^ On active duty as major general, 2018–2019; retired as major general, Nov 2019. [6]
  23. ^ Served as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS).
  24. ^ Transferred to U.S. Space Force, 30 Mar 2020.
  25. ^ Served as Vice Chief of Space Operations (VCSO).
  26. ^ Directly commissioned via the JAG Corps Direct Appointment Program.
  27. ^ Enlisted in 1983 as avionics technician, commissioned as second lieutenant in 1989. [15]
  28. ^ as in the case of the Commander, Eleventh Air Force, dual-hatted as Commander, Alaskan Command and Alaskan NORAD Region.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 601 refers to positions held by four-star and three-star officers as "positions of importance and responsibility".
  33. ^ 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. [40]
  34. ^ as Air Training Command, before consolidating with Air University [45]
  35. ^ Congressional approval would be required to bypass the authorized limit of nine four-star commands.
  36. ^ Legislative history compiled from the U.S. Congress official website and U.S. Government Publishing Office official website.
  37. ^ redesignated director of the Joint Staff of the National Guard Bureau by NDAA 2005

External links