William Lee Shelton (born February 25, 1954)[1][2][3] is a former United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the commander of Air Force Space Command from January 5, 2011, to August 15, 2014. He had been the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Air Staff Director. He had served as chief of warfighting integration and chief information officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Shelton held numerous positions of leadership throughout the United States Air Force. He retired from the Air Force on September 1, 2014.
Upon graduation, Shelton was commissioned as a second lieutenant on June 2, 1976.[1] His first assignment was as a launch facilities manager, launch director and technical assistant to the commander from August 1976 to May 1979 at the Space and Missile Test Center, Vandenberg AFB in California. While at Vandenberg, he was promoted to first lieutenant on June 2, 1978. Following his first assignment, Shelton reported to the US Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He graduated with a Master of Science in astronautical engineering in December 1980.[4]
After his first command tour, Shelton served as executive officer to the vice commander, Air Force Space Command, for a year beginning in June 1992. He moved on to assume command of the 50th Operations Group at Falcon AFB from June 1993 to July 1994. While in command he was promoted to colonel on February 1, 1994. Following his second command tour, Shelton returned to school at the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. There he earned a Master of Science in national security strategy, graduating in May 1995.[4]
Following his War College tour, Shelton served as the deputy program manager and executive assistant for the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program Office, which fell under the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs in Washington, D.C. In 1996, he attended the Program for Senior Officials in National Security at Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University. In September 1997 he assumed command of the 90th Space Wing at Francis E. Warren AFB in Wyoming. From September 1999 to July 2000 he was again in Washington, D.C., this time as the chief of the Space Superiority Division in the Office of the deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. He followed this assignment by serving from July 2000 to November 2000 as director of manpower and organization in the same office.[4]
Flag assignments
Shelton speaking at Air Force Space Command's 30th anniversary in 2012
In November 2000 Shelton moved to assume the role of director of requirements at the headquarters of Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There he was promoted to brigadier general on January 1, 2001. He stayed at Air Force Space Command until June 2003 holding various positions, including director of plans and programs and director of air and space operations.[4]
The president nominated Shelton for the appointment to lieutenant general with continued assignment as the 14 AF/CC and CDR JFCC SPACE (Ref: 8 November 2007 Senior Leader Announcement, AF/A1). After Senate confirmation, Lt Gen Shelton pinned on his new rank 8 January 2008. Gen Kevin P. Chilton, CDRUSSTRATCOM, presided; Gen C. Robert Kehler, AFSPC/CC, also spoke during the ceremony held at Vandenberg AFB, California.[4]
In December 2008, Lt Gen Shelton was appointed chief of warfighting integration and chief information officer (CIO), Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
On 5 January 2011, Lt General Shelton was promoted to the rank of general and became commander, Air Force Space Command.
United States of America
United States of America
United States Air Force
United States Air Force
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