Anthony J. Cotton
U.S. Air Force general
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anthony James Cotton[1] is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 12th commander of the United States Strategic Command from 9 December 2022 to 5 December 2025. He previously served as the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command from 27 August 2021 to 7 December 2022, having served as the deputy commander from 2019 to 2021.[2] Prior to that, he was the president of the Air University.[3][4][5][6]
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Anthony Cotton | |
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| Allegiance | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Service years | 1986–2025 |
Rank | General |
| Commands | |
Conflicts | Twelve-Day War |
| Awards | |
| Alma mater | |
Cotton is from Dudley, North Carolina, where he graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1981. He is the son of James H. and Amy K. Cotton; his father was a chief master sergeant in the Air Force.[7] Anthony Cotton was commissioned through ROTC at North Carolina State University in 1986, where he also earned a bachelor's degree in political science.[7] Prior to his AFGSC service, Cotton commanded the 20th Air Force, served as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, and was senior military assistant to the under secretary of defense for intelligence.[8]
In June 2022, Cotton was nominated for reappointment as general and assignment as commander of the United States Strategic Command.[9][10][11] He appeared for a hearing before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on 15 September 2022[12] and was confirmed by voice vote of the full Senate on 29 September 2022.[10] He assumed command on 9 December 2022.[13][14]
Awards and decorations
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Command Space Operations Badge |
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Command Missile Operations Badge |
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Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge |
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Headquarters Air Force Badge |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
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Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
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Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters |
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Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
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National Reconnaissance Office Distinguished Service Medal (gold medal) |
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Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
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Air and Space Campaign Medal |
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Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with "N" device |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star |
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Air Force Training Ribbon |
Effective dates of promotions
| Rank | Date[2] |
|---|---|
 Second lieutenant | 7 June 1986 |
 First lieutenant | 7 June 1988 |
 Captain | 7 June 1990 |
 Major | 1 March 1998 |
 Lieutenant colonel | 1 March 2002 |
 Colonel | 1 December 2006 |
 Brigadier general | 10 November 2011 |
 Major general | 6 July 2015 |
 Lieutenant general | 15 February 2018 |
 General | 27 August 2021 |
