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lieutenant general

This is a list of lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force since 2020. 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 53 lieutenant generals in the U.S. Air Force since 1 January 2020, one of whom was elevated to four-star general. All 53 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Lieutenant generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 22 were commissioned via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 20 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, seven via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), one via AFROTC at a senior military college, one via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), one via direct commission (direct), and one via direct medical officer commission at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU).

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 since 2020
# Name Photo Date of rank [a] Position [b] Yrs [c] Commission [d] YC [e] Notes [f]
1 David A. Krumm 20 Apr 2020   2 1989 ( AFROTC) 31 (1967–        )
2 Scott L. Pleus 12 Jun 2020   4 1989 ( AFROTC) 31
3 S. Clinton Hinote 15 Jun 2020  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Air Staff (DCS A5), 2020–2022.
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures, Air Staff (DCS A5/7), 2022–2023.
3 1992 ( USAFA) 28
4 Carl E. Schaefer 21 Jun 2020   3 1990 ( USAFA) 30
* Gregory M. Guillot 16 Jul 2020   4 1989 ( USAFA) 31 ( c. 1961        ) [g] Promoted to general, 5 Feb 2024.
5 Michael A. Loh 22 Jul 2020   4 1984 ( USAFA) 36 (1962–        ) Son of Air Force four-star general John M. Loh.
6 Kirk S. Pierce 29 Jul 2020   3 1988 ( AFROTC) 32 (1966–        )
7 Tony D. Bauernfeind 31 Jul 2020   4 1991 ( USAFA) 29
8 Kirk W. Smith 4 Aug 2020   4 1989 ( USAFA) 31 (1967–        )
9 Brian S. Robinson 14 Aug 2020   4 1987 ( OTS) 33 (1965–        )
10 Jeffrey A. Kruse 16 Aug 2020   4 1990 ( AFROTC) 30 (1968–        )
11 Charles L. Moore Jr. 3 Sep 2020   3 1989 ( USAFA) 31 (1966–        )
12 Shaun Q. Morris 3 Sep 2020   3 1988 ( USAFA) 32
13 Sam C. Barrett 4 Sep 2020   2 1988 ( USAFA) 32
14 James C. Dawkins Jr. 1 Oct 2020   3 1989 ( OTS) 31 (1966–        )
15 Andrew A. Croft 28 Dec 2020   3 1988 ( AFROTC) 32 (1965–        )
16 Robert J. Skinner 25 Feb 2021   3 1989 ( OTS) 32
17 Robert I. Miller 4 Jun 2021   3 1989 ( USU) 32 (1963–        )
18 Russell L. Mack 16 Aug 2021   2 1988 ( OTS) 33
19 Tom D. Miller 17 Aug 2021   3 1990 ( AFROTC) 31
20 James A. Jacobson 20 Aug 2021   3 1990 ( USAFA) 31
21 Mark E. Weatherington 23 Aug 2021   2 1990 ( USAFA) 31 (1967–        )
22 Ricky N. Rupp 27 Aug 2021   3 1989 ( AFROTC) 32
23 David J. Julazadeh 4 Oct 2021   3 1990 ( AFROTC) 31 (1966–        )
24 Lance K. Landrum 11 Oct 2021   2 1992 ( USAFA) 29 ( c. 1970        )
25 John D. Caine 3 Nov 2021   3 1990 ( VMI) 31
26 Stephen L. Davis 2 Mar 2022   2 1989 ( OTS) 33
27 Caroline M. Miller 26 May 2022  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Air Staff (DCS A1), 2022–present.
2 1994 ( OTS) 28 (1968–        ) [h]
28 Charles L. Plummer 26 May 2022   2 1995 ( direct) [i] 27
29 Randall Reed 3 Jun 2022   2 1989 ( USAFA) 33
30 Richard G. Moore Jr. 30 Jun 2022  
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Air Staff (DCS A8), 2022–present.
2 1992 ( USAFA) 30
31 Michael J. Schmidt 5 Jul 2022   2 1991 ( AFROTC) 31
32 John D. Lamontagne 7 Jul 2022   2 1992 ( USAFA) 30
33 Alexus G. Grynkewich 21 Jul 2022   2 1993 ( USAFA) 29
34 Kevin B. Kennedy 21 Jul 2022   2 1990 ( USAFA) 32
35 Andrea D. Tullos 25 Jul 2022   2 1991 ( OTS) 31
36 Leonard J. Kosinski 2 Aug 2022   2 1993 ( USAFA) 29
37 John P. Healy 3 Aug 2022   2 1989 ( AFROTC) 33 ( c. 1967        )
38 Leah G. Lauderback 6 Aug 2022   2 1993 ( AFROTC) 29
39 Dagvin R. M. Anderson 8 Aug 2022  
  • Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, J7, 2022–present.
2 1992 ( AFROTC) 30
40 Stacey T. Hawkins 15 Aug 2022   2 1991 ( USAFA) 31
41 Donna D. Shipton 22 Aug 2022   2 1991 ( AFROTC) 31 ( c. 1970        )
42 Steven S. Nordhaus 31 Mar 2023   1 1989 ( USAFA) 34 (1966–        )
43 Heath A. Collins 5 Dec 2023   1 1993 ( AFROTC) 30 ( c. 1971        )
44 Andrew J. Gebara 5 Dec 2023   1 1991 ( USNA) 32 ( c. 1969        )
45 Adrian L. Spain 19 Dec 2023   1 1994 ( AFROTC) 29
46 Dale R. White 27 Dec 2023   1 1997 ( AFROTC) 26 ( c. 1971        )
47 Michael G. Koscheski 5 Jan 2024   0 1992 ( USAFA) 32
48 Michael J. Lutton 8 Jan 2024   0 1990 ( AFROTC) 34
49 Linda S. Hurry 13 Jan 2024   0 1991 ( USAFA) 33
50 David R. Iverson 30 Jan 2024   0 1991 ( AFROTC) 33 ( c. 1969        )
51 Laura L. Lenderman 23 Feb 2024   0 1993 ( AFROTC) 31
52 Sean M. Farrell 28 Mar 2024   0 1990 ( AFROTC) 34

Timeline

2020–present

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

Sean M. Farrell Laura Lenderman David R. Iverson Linda Hurry Michael Lutton Michael Koscheski Dale R. White Adrian Spain Andrew Gebara Heath A. Collins Steven Nordhaus Donna D. Shipton Stacey Hawkins Dagvin Anderson Leah Lauderback John P. Healy Leonard Kosinski Andrea Tullos Kevin B. Kennedy Jr. Alexus Grynkewich John Lamontagne Michael J. Schmidt Richard G. Moore Randall Reed Charles L. Plummer Caroline M. Miller Stephen L. Davis John D. Caine Lance K. Landrum David Julazadeh Ricky Rupp Mark E. Weatherington James A. Jacobson Tom D. Miller Russell L. Mack Robert I. Miller Robert J. Skinner Andrew A. Croft James C. Dawkins Sam C. Barrett Shaun Morris Charles L. Moore Jeffrey A. Kruse Brian S. Robinson Kirk W. Smith Tony D. Bauernfeind Kirk S. Pierce Michael A. Loh Gregory M. Guillot Carl E. Schaefer S. Clinton Hinote Scott L. Pleus David A. Krumm 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. [1]

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. [2]

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. [3]

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. [4]

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. [5]

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. [6] 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. [7]

Modern use

Lt Gen Michael A. Loh is pinned with his new rank by his wife Dianne on 28 July 2020.

Lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force typically serve in high-level command and staff positions, [8] including as commanders of major commands (MAJCOMs), [9] commanders of numbered air forces (NAF) [9] [10] 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) [11] under the authority of the chief and vice chief of staff of the Air Force, as well as the inspector general [12] who answers directly to the service secretary. High-level specialty positions such as the surgeon general, [13] judge advocate general, [14] and chief of Air Force Reserve [15] 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 [l] and 2002 respectively.

Lt. Gen. Robert I. Miller has his new three-star flag unfurled during his promotion ceremony on 4 June 2021.

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. [16] All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, [m] as are directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIRDIA). [17] Internationally based three-star positions include the deputy chair of the NATO Military Committee (DCMC), 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. [18]

Statutory limits, elevations and reductions

Maj Gen Mark E. Weatherington is pinned with the rank of lieutenant general on 14 August 2021.
Newly promoted Lt Gen Randall Reed is congratulated by Gen Michael A. Minihan on 3 June 2022.

The U.S. Code states that no more than 35 officers [n] 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. [19] However, the President [19] 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. [20] 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 [o] to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions.

Senate confirmations

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 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 [22] after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer. [23] As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018. [23] [24] [25]

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 [26] and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016 [27] committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command. [28] 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. [29]

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. [30] [31] [19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Army Register; Acts of July 31, 1940, and September 9, 1940.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ DuPre, p. 59; "Knudsen the Only Civilian To Enter Army at His Rank", The New York Times, p. 9, 17 January 1942.
  4. ^ 2011 Air Force Almanac; Air Force Register.
  5. ^ Y'Blood, pp. 425, 442, 444–445, 477.
  6. ^ Air Force Register.
  7. ^ Puryear, p. 129.
  8. ^ "United States Air Force – O-9 Lieutenant General". FederalPay. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b 10 U.S.C.  § 9065 – Commands: territorial organization
  10. ^ "Numbered Air Forces – Air Force Historical Research Agency". U.S. Air Force. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  11. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 9035 – Deputy Chiefs of Staff and Assistant Chiefs of Staff.
  12. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 9020 – Inspector General.
  13. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 9036 – Surgeon General: appointment; duties.
  14. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 9037 – Judge Advocate General, Deputy Judge Advocate General: appointment; duties.
  15. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 9038 – Office of Air Force Reserve: appointment of Chief.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "On Raising the Rank of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau" (PDF). Library of Congress. Library of Congress. February 2007.
  18. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 601 – Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals.
  19. ^ a b c 10 U.S.C.  § 525 – Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades.
  20. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 526 – Authorized strength: general and flag officers on active duty.
  21. ^ "DNI Welcomes New Senior Military Adviser". Office of the Director of National Intelligence. 17 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ a b Myers, Meghann (6 January 2018). "Army 2-star loses promotion after calling congressional staffer 'sweetheart'". Army Times. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ "Army: Two-star general committed 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.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ Gould, Joe; Insinna, Valerie (10 December 2019). "Congress creating Space Force with limited headroom". Defense News. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  31. ^ Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States)  116–92 (text) (PDF) – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 15 July 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  34. ^ "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.
  35. ^ 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.

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. ^ Served as Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (CDRNORAD).
  8. ^ Promoted directly from rank of brigadier general.
  9. ^ Directly commissioned via the JAG Corps Direct Appointment Program.
  10. ^ as in the case of the Commander, Eleventh Air Force, dual-hatted as Commander, Alaskan Command and Alaskan NORAD Region.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ The deputy commander of U.S. European Command was a four-star position until 2007, when it was reduced in rank to make way for the establishment of U.S. Africa Command, commanded by a four-star officer. The last four-star deputy commander of USEUCOM, General William E. Ward, also became the first commander of USAFRICOM.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 10 U.S.C.  § 601 refers to positions held by four-star and three-star officers as "positions of importance and responsibility".

External links