List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals since 2020
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
lieutenant general
The rank of lieutenant general (or three-star general) is the second-highest rank normally achievable in the United States 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 67 lieutenant generals in the U.S. Air Force since 1 January 2020, eight of whom were elevated to four-star general. All 67 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Lieutenant generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 30 were commissioned via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 22 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, eight via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), three via direct commission (direct), three via AFROTC at a senior military college, and one via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA).
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.
| # | Name | Photo | Date of rank[a] | Position[b] | Yrs[c] | Commission[d] | YC[e] | Notes[f] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David A. Krumm | .jpg) |
20 Apr 2020 |
|
2 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1967– ) |
| 2 | Scott L. Pleus | _(cropped).jpg) |
12 Jun 2020 |
|
5 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| 3 | S. Clinton Hinote |  |
15 Jun 2020 | 3 | 1992 (USAFA) | 28 | ||
| 4 | Carl E. Schaefer |  |
21 Jun 2020 |
|
3 | 1990 (USAFA) | 30 | |
| * | Gregory M. Guillot | .jpg) |
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 | .jpg) |
29 Jul 2020 |
|
3 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1966– ) |
| 7 | Tony D. Bauernfeind | .jpg) |
31 Jul 2020 |
|
5 | 1991 (USAFA) | 29 | |
| 8 | Kirk W. Smith |  |
4 Aug 2020 |
|
4 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | (1967– ) |
| 9 | Brian S. Robinson |  |
14 Aug 2020 |
|
5 | 1987 (OTS) | 33 | (1965– ) |
| 10 | Jeffrey A. Kruse | .jpg) |
16 Aug 2020 |
|
5 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1968– ) |
| 11 | Charles L. Moore Jr. |  |
3 Sep 2020 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | (1966– ) |
| 12 | Shaun Q. Morris |  |
3 Sep 2020 |
|
3 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 13 | Sam C. Barrett | .jpg) |
4 Sep 2020 |
|
2 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 14 | James C. Dawkins Jr. |  |
1 Oct 2020 |
|
3 | 1989 (OTS) | 31 | (1966– ) |
| 15 | Andrew A. Croft | .jpg) |
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 (direct) | 32 | (1963– ) |
| 18 | Russell L. Mack |  |
16 Aug 2021 |
|
2 | 1988 (OTS) | 33 | |
| 19 | Tom D. Miller |  |
17 Aug 2021 |
|
4 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| 20 | James A. Jacobson |  |
20 Aug 2021 |
|
3 | 1990 (USAFA) | 31 | |
| 21 | Mark E. Weatherington | _(cropped).jpg) |
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– ) |
| * | J. Daniel Caine |  |
3 Nov 2021 |
|
3 | 1990 (VMI) | 31 | (1968– )[h][i] Promoted to general, 11 Apr 2025. |
| 25 | Stephen L. Davis |  |
2 Mar 2022 |
|
3 | 1989 (OTS) | 33 | |
| 26 | Caroline M. Miller |  |
26 May 2022 |
|
3 | 1994 (OTS) | 28 | (1968– )[j] |
| 27 | Charles L. Plummer |  |
26 May 2022 |
|
3 | 1995 (direct)[k] | 27 | Relieved, 2025.[2] |
| * | Randall Reed |  |
3 Jun 2022 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 33 | (c. 1967– )[l] Promoted to general, 4 Oct 2024. |
| 28 | Richard G. Moore Jr. | .jpg) |
30 Jun 2022 |
|
2 | 1992 (USAFA) | 30 | |
| 29 | Michael J. Schmidt | .jpg) |
5 Jul 2022 |
|
3 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| * | John D. Lamontagne |  |
7 Jul 2022 |
|
2 | 1992 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1970– ) Promoted to general, 7 Sep 2024. |
| * | Alexus G. Grynkewich | .jpg) |
21 Jul 2022 |
|
3 | 1993 (USAFA) | 29 | (1971– )[m] Promoted to general, 1 Jul 2025. |
| 30 | Kevin B. Kennedy |  |
21 Jul 2022 |
|
2 | 1990 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 31 | Andrea D. Tullos | .jpg) |
25 Jul 2022 |
|
3 | 1991 (OTS) | 31 | |
| 32 | Leonard J. Kosinski |  |
2 Aug 2022 |
|
2 | 1993 (USAFA) | 29 | |
| 33 | John P. Healy |  |
3 Aug 2022 |
|
3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 33 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 34 | Leah G. Lauderback | _(cropped).jpg) |
6 Aug 2022 | 3 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 29 | ||
| * | Dagvin R. M. Anderson | .jpg) |
8 Aug 2022 |
|
3 | 1992 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1970– )[l] Promoted to general, 15 Aug 2025. |
| 35 | Stacey T. Hawkins | .jpg) |
15 Aug 2022 |
|
3 | 1991 (USAFA) | 31 | |
| 36 | Donna D. Shipton | .jpg) |
22 Aug 2022 |
|
3 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 31 | (c. 1970– ) |
| * | Steven S. Nordhaus | .jpg) |
31 Mar 2023 |
|
1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 34 | (1966– )[n] Promoted to general, 2 Oct 2024. |
| 37 | David A. Harris Jr. | _(cropped).jpg) |
5 Dec 2023 |
|
2 | |||
| 38 | Heath A. Collins |  |
5 Dec 2023 |
|
2 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 30 | (c. 1971– ) |
| 39 | Andrew J. Gebara |  |
5 Dec 2023 |
|
2 | 1991 (USNA) | 32 | (c. 1969– ) |
| * | Adrian L. Spain |  |
19 Dec 2023 |
|
2 | 1994 (AFROTC) | 29 | Promoted to general, 11 Aug 2025. |
| 40 | Dale R. White | .jpg) |
27 Dec 2023 |
|
2 | 1997 (AFROTC) | 26 | (c. 1971– ) |
| 41 | Michael G. Koscheski | .jpg) |
5 Jan 2024 |
|
1 | 1992 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 42 | Michael J. Lutton | .jpg) |
8 Jan 2024 |
|
1 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 34 | |
| 43 | Linda S. Hurry |  |
13 Jan 2024 |
|
1 | 1991 (USAFA) | 33 | |
| 44 | David R. Iverson |  |
30 Jan 2024 |
|
1 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 33 | (c. 1969– ) |
| 45 | Laura L. Lenderman |  |
23 Feb 2024 |
|
1 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| 46 | Sean M. Farrell | .jpg) |
8 Mar 2024 |
|
1 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 34 | |
| 47 | Derek C. France |  |
18 Apr 2024 |
|
1 | 1992 (USAFA) | 32 | (c. 1970– ) |
| 48 | David H. Tabor |  |
1 Jul 2024 |
|
1 | 1992 (AFROTC) | 32 | |
| 49 | Michael E. Conley |  |
1 Jul 2024 |
|
1 | 1996 (USAFA) | 28 | [j] |
| 50 | John J. DeGoes | .jpg) |
31 Jul 2024 |
|
1 | 1989 (direct) | 35 | |
| 51 | Thomas K. Hensley |  |
1 Aug 2024 |
|
1 | 1992 (Texas A&M) | 32 | |
| 52 | Case A. Cunningham | _(cropped).jpg) |
9 Aug 2024 |
|
1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 53 | Jason T. Hinds | .jpg) |
30 Aug 2024 |
|
1 | 1996 (AFROTC) | 28 | (c. 1974– ) |
| 54 | Jennifer M. Short |  |
30 Sep 2024 |
|
1 | 1995 (OTS) | 29 | (c. 1970– ) Relieved, 2025.[3] Daughter of Air Force lieutenant general Michael C. Short. |
| 55 | M. Luke Ahmann | _(cropped).jpg) |
2 Oct 2024 |
|
1 | 1993 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1971– ) Son of Air Force lieutenant general James H. Ahmann.[4] |
| 56 | Rebecca J. Sonkiss |  |
7 Oct 2024 |
|
1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 57 | Stephen F. Jost | .jpg) |
8 Oct 2024 |
|
1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 58 | Evan L. Pettus | .jpg) |
4 Nov 2024 |
|
1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 59 | Michael L. Downs |  |
2 Dec 2024 |
|
1 | 1992 (Texas A&M) | 32 | |
| 60 | Max E. Pearson | .jpg) |
12 Aug 2025 |
|
0 | 1998 (USAFA) | 27 | [j] |
| 61 | Kenyon K. Bell |  |
19 Sep 2025 |
|
0 | 1995 (USAFA) | 30 | |
| 62 | Robert D. Davis |  |
15 Oct 2025 |
|
0 | 1996 (USAFA) | 29 | |
| 63 | Clark Quinn |  |
30 Oct 2025 |
|
0 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 34 | |
| 64 | Jason R. Armagost |  |
6 Nov 2025 |
|
0 | 1992 (USAFA) | 33 | |
| 65 | Daniel H. Tulley |  |
7 Nov 2025 |
|
0 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 32 | |
| 66 | David B. Lyons | .jpg) |
10 Nov 2025 |
|
0 | 1992 (AFROTC) | 33 | |
| 67 | Jennifer Hammerstedt |  |
17 Nov 2025 |
|
0 | 1996 (AFROTC) | 29 | |
| 68 | Luke C.G. Cropsey |  |
2 Feb 2026 |
|
0 | 1995 (USAFA) | 29 |
Timeline
2020–present
Background
Modern use of the rank
Lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force typically serve in high-level command and staff positions,[5] including as commanders of major commands (MAJCOMs),[6] commanders of numbered air forces (NAF)[6][7] 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),[8] as well as the inspector general.[9] High-level specialty positions such as the surgeon general[10] and chief of Air Force Reserve[11] 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[q] and 2002 respectively.
About 30 to 50 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.[12] All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank,[r] as are directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA).[13] 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 Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. 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.[14]
Statutory limits, elevations and reductions
The U.S. Code states that no more than 44 officers in the U.S. Air Force may hold the rank of lieutenant general on the active duty list, aside from those on joint duty assignments.[15] 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[s] to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions.
- Lieutenant General Jeffrey A. Kruse was appointed the first advisor for military to the director of national intelligence on 17 August 2021 amid organizational changes to the ODNI. The role was created to serve as a "focal point" for the ODNI to communicate with the Department of Defense, including the under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, combat support agency directors and the combatant commands.[16]
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[17] after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer.[18] As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018.[18][19][20]
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[21] and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016[22] committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command.[23] 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.[24]
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.[25][26][15]
- 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 to be established. The last Air Force general to command SMC, Lieutenant General John F. Thompson retired in August 2021[27] to make way for Lieutenant General Michael A. Guetlein, who assumed command of Space Systems Command on 13 August 2021.[28][29][30]
