List of United States Air Force four-star generals

This is a complete list of four-star generals in the United States Air Force. The rank of general (or full general, or four-star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Air Force. It ranks above lieutenant general (three-star general) and below General of the Air Force (five-star general).

There have been 194 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Air Force. Of these, 189 achieved that rank while on active duty, 3 were promoted after retirement, and one was promoted posthumously. Generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 60 were commissioned via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), 49 via the aviation cadet program, 31 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 30 via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 9 via AFROTC at a senior military college, 6 via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), 4 via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), 2 via direct commission, one via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, one via the Army National Guard (ARNG), and one via the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

List of generals[]

Entries in the following list of four-star 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. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank,^[1] active-duty positions held while serving at four-star rank,^[2] number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank (Yrs),^[3] year commissioned and source of commission,^[4] number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC),^[5] and other biographical notes.^[6]

The list is sortable by last name, date of rank, number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank, year commissioned, and number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank.

#	Name	Date of rank	Position	Yrs ^[3]	Commission	YC ^[5]	Notes
1	arnold !Henry H. Arnold	1943-03-19 !19 Mar 1943	Commanding General, Army Air Forces (CG AAF), 1942–1946.	3	1907 (USMA)	36	(1886–1950) Promoted to general of the Army, 21 Dec 1944; to general of the Air Force, 7 May 1949.
2	mcnarney !Joseph T. McNarney	1945-03-07 ! 7 Mar 1945	Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean/Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (DSACMED/CG MTOUSA), 1944–1945; Commanding General, U.S. Forces European Theater/Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany (CG USFET/USMILGOV), 1945–1947; Senior member, United Nations Military Staff Committee, 1947; Commanding General, Air Material Command (CG AMC), 1947–1949; Chairman, Department of Defense Management Committee, 1949–1952.	7	1915 (USMA)	30	(1893–1972)
3	kenney !George C. Kenney	1945-03-09 ! 9 Mar 1945	Commanding General, Allied Air Forces, South West Pacific Area (CG AAFSWPA), 1942–1945; Member, Military Staff Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1945–1946; Commanding General, Strategic Air Command (CG SAC), 1946–1948; Commander, Air University, 1948–1951.	6	1917 (cadet)	28	(1889–1977) Relieved, 1948.
4	spaatz !Carl A. Spaatz	1945-03-11 !11 Mar 1945	Commanding General, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe (CG USSAFE), 1944–1945; Commanding General, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (CG USASTAF), 1945; Commanding General, Army Air Forces (CG AAF), 1946–1947; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1947–1948.	3	1914 (USMA)	31	(1891–1974)
5	vandenberg !Hoyt S. Vandenberg	1947-10-01 ! 1 Oct 1947	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1947–1948; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1948–1953.	6	1923 (USMA)	24	(1899–1954) Director of Central Intelligence, 1946–1947. Nephew of U.S. Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg; son married daughter of Air Force four-star general Leon W. Johnson.
6	fairchild !Muir S. Fairchild	1948-05-27 !27 May 1948	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1948–1950.	2	1918 (cadet)	30	(1894–1950) Died in office.
7	twining !Nathan F. Twining	1950-10-10 !10 Oct 1950	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1950–1953; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1953–1957; Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1957–1960.	10	1918 (USMA)	32	(1897–1982) Brother of Marine Corps four-star general Merrill B. Twining.
8	cannon !John K. Cannon	1951-10-29-00 !29 Oct 1951	Commanding General, Tactical Air Command (CG TAC), 1951–1954.	3	1917 (direct)	34	(1892–1955)
9	chidlaw !Benjamin W. Chidlaw	1951-10-29-01 !29 Oct 1951	Commanding General, Air Defense Command (CG ADC), 1951–1954; Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command/Commanding General, Air Defense Command (CINCONAD/CG ADC), 1954–1955.	4	1922 (USMA)	29	(1900–1977)
10	lemay !Curtis E. LeMay	1951-10-29-02 !29 Oct 1951	Commanding General, Strategic Air Command (CG SAC), 1948–1953; Commander, Strategic Air Command (COMSAC), 1953–1955; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1955–1957; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1957–1961; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1961–1965.	14	1929 (cadet)	22	(1906–1990) American Independent Party nominee for U.S. Vice President, 1968.
11	norstad !Lauris Norstad	1952-07-05-00 ! 5 Jul 1952	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1951; Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Air Forces in Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/CINCAIRCENT), 1951–1953; Air Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Air Deputy SHAPE), 1953–1956; Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 1956–1962; Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), 1962–1963.	11	1930 (USMA)	22	(1907–1988)
12	weyland !Otto P. Weyland	1952-07-05-01 ! 5 Jul 1952	Commanding General, Far East Air Forces (CG FEAF), 1951–1954; Commanding General, Tactical Air Command (CG TAC), 1954–1959.	7	1923 (Texas A&M)	29	(1902–1979)
13	white !Thomas D. White	1953-06-30 !30 Jun 1953	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1953–1957; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1957–1961.	8	1920 (USMA)	33	(1902–1965)
14	rawlings !Edwin W. Rawlings	1954-02-19-00 !19 Feb 1954	Commanding General, Air Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1951–1959.	5	1930 (cadet)	24	(1904–1997)
15	partridge !Earle E. Partridge	1954-02-19-01 !19 Feb 1954	Commanding General, Far East Air Forces (CG FEAF), 1954–1955; Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command/Commander, Air Defense Command (CINCONAD/COMADC), 1955–1956; Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCONAD), 1956–1957; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD), 1957–1959.	5	1924 (USMA)	30	(1900–1990)
16	cookorvalr !Orval R. Cook	1954-04-01 ! 1 Apr 1954	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1954–1956.	2	1922 (USMA)	32	(1898–1980)
17	kuter !Laurence S. Kuter	1955-05-29 !29 May 1955	Commanding General, Far East Air Forces (CG FEAF), 1955–1957; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1957–1959; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD), 1959–1962.	7	1927 (USMA)	28	(1905–1979) ^[7] U.S. Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization, 1946–1948.
18	power !Thomas S. Power	1957-06-30 !30 Jun 1957	Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1957–1964.	7	1929 (cadet)	28	(1905–1970)
19	everest !Frank F. Everest	1957-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1957	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1957–1959; Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1959–1961.	4	1928 (USMA)	29	(1904–1983)
20	johnsonleonw !Leon W. Johnson	1957-08-31 !31 Aug 1957	U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1956–1958; Air Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Air Deputy SHAPE), 1958–1961; Director, Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff, National Security Council, 1961–1965.	8	1926 (USMA)	31	(1904–1997) ^[8] Awarded Medal of Honor, 1943. Daughter married son of Air Force four-star general Hoyt S. Vandenberg.
21	cabell !Charles P. Cabell	1958-07-11 !11 Jul 1958	Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (DDCI), 1953–1962.	4	1925 (USMA)	33	(1903–1971) Distant cousin of Navy four-star admiral Richard H. Jackson.
22	anderson !Samuel E. Anderson	1959-03-10 !10 Mar 1959	Commander, Air Materiel Command (COMAMC), 1959–1961; Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1961; Air Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Air Deputy SHAPE), 1961–1963.	4	1928 (USMA)	31	(1906–1982)
23	odonnell !Emmett O'Donnell Jr.	1959-07-31 !31 Jul 1959	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1959–1963.	4	1928 (USMA)	31	(1906–1972)
24	smithfrederich !Frederic H. Smith Jr.	1959-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1959	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1959–1961; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1961–1962.	3	1929 (USMA)	30	(1908–1980) Son-in-law of Navy five-star admiral Ernest J. King.
25	landon !Truman H. Landon	1961-06-28 !28 Jun 1961	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1961–1963.	2	1928 (USMA)	33	(1905–1986)
26	mckeewilliamf !William F. McKee	1961-06-29 !29 Jun 1961	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1961–1962; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1962–1964.	3	1929 (USMA)	32	(1906–1987) Assistant Administrator for Management and Development, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1964–1965; Administrator, Federal Aviation Agency, 1965–1968.
27	sweeney !Walter C. Sweeney Jr.	1961-06-30 !30 Jun 1961	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1961–1965.	4	1930 (USMA)	31	(1909–1965)
28	schriever !Bernard A. Schriever	1961-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1961	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1961–1966.	5	1931 (Texas A&M)	30	(1910–2005)
29	gerhart !John K. Gerhart	1962-06-29 !29 Jun 1962	Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD), 1962–1965.	3	1929 (cadet)	33	(1907–1981)
30	strother !Dean C. Strother	1962-06-30 !30 Jun 1962	U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1962–1965; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD), 1965–1966.	4	1931 (USMA)	31	(1908–2000)
31	bradley !Mark E. Bradley	1962-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1962	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1962–1965.	3	1930 (USMA)	32	(1907–1999)
32	mcconnell !John P. McConnell	1962-10-01 ! 1 Oct 1962	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1962–1964; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1964–1965; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1965–1969.	7	1932 (USMA)	30	(1908–1986)
33	lee !Robert M. Lee	1963-06-04 ! 4 Jun 1963	Air Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Air Deputy SHAPE), 1963–1966.	3	1931 (USMA)	32	(1909–2003)
34	smart !Jacob E. Smart	1963-06-05 ! 5 Jun 1963	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1963–1964; Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1964–1966.	3	1931 (USMA)	32	(1909–2006) Assistant Administrator for Policy/DoD and Interagency Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1967–1973.
35	kelly !Joe W. Kelly	1963-06-06 ! 6 Jun 1963	Commander, Military Air Transport Service (COMMATS), 1960–1964.	1	1932 (USMA)	31	(1910–1979)
36	disosway !Gabriel P. Disosway	1963-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1963	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1963–1965; Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1965–1968.	5	1933 (USMA)	30	(1910–2001)
37	harris !Hunter Harris Jr.	1964-07-18 !18 Jul 1964	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1964–1967.	3	1932 (USMA)	32	(1909–1987)
38	esteshowellmjr !Howell M. Estes Jr.	1964-07-19 !19 Jul 1964	Commander, Military Airlift Command (COMAC), 1964–1969.	5	1936 (USMA)	28	(1914–2007) Father of Air Force four-star general Howell M. Estes III.
39	ryanjohnd !John D. Ryan	1964-12-01 ! 1 Dec 1964	Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1964–1967; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1967–1968; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1968–1969; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1969–1973.	9	1938 (USMA)	26	(1915–1983) Father of Air Force four-star general Michael E. Ryan.
40	blanchard !William H. Blanchard	1965-02-19 !19 Feb 1965	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1965–1966.	1	1938 (USMA)	27	(1916–1966) Died in office.
41	hobson !Kenneth B. Hobson	1965-07-31 !31 Jul 1965	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1965–1967.	2	1932 (USMA)	33	(1908–1979)
42	holloway !Bruce K. Holloway	1965-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1965	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1965–1966; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1966–1968; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1968–1972.	7	1937 (USMA)	28	(1912–1999)
43	stone !William S. Stone	1966-07-28 !28 Jul 1966	Air Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Air Deputy SHAPE), 1966–1968.	2	1934 (USMA)	32	(1910–1968) Died in office. Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1959–1962.
44	reeves !Raymond J. Reeves	1966-07-29 !29 Jul 1966	Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD), 1966–1969.	3	1934 (USMA)	32	(1909–1998)
45	ferguson !James Ferguson	1966-07-30 !30 Jul 1966	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1966–1970.	4	1937 (cadet)	29	(1913–2000)
46	burchinal !David A. Burchinal	1966-07-31 !31 Jul 1966	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1966–1973.	7	1940 (cadet)	26	(1915–1990)
47	preston !Maurice A. Preston	1966-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1966	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1966–1968.	2	1937 (USMA)	29	(1912–1983)
48	nazzaro !Joseph J. Nazzaro	1967-02-01 ! 1 Feb 1967	Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1967–1968; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1968–1971.	4	1936 (USMA)	31	(1913–1990)
49	gerrity !Thomas P. Gerrity	1967-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1967	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1967–1968.	1	1940 (cadet)	27	(1913–1968) Died in office.
50	momyer !William W. Momyer	1967-12-13 !13 Dec 1967	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1966–1968; Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1968–1973.	6	1939 (cadet)	28	(1916– )
51	merrell !Jack G. Merrell	1968-03-29 !29 Mar 1968	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1968–1972.	4	1939 (USMA)	29	(1915–1993)
52	wade !Horace M. Wade	1968-07-31 !31 Jul 1968	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1968–1969; Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1969–1972; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1972–1973.	5	1938 (cadet)	30	(1916–2001)
53	brown !George S. Brown	1968-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1968	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1968–1970; Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1970–1973; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1973–1974; Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1974–1978.	10	1941 (USMA)	27	(1918–1978)
54	holzapple !Joseph R. Holzapple	1969-02-01 ! 1 Feb 1969	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1969–1971.	2	1941 (cadet)	28	(1914–1973)
55	mckeesethj !Seth J. McKee	1969-07-30 !30 Jul 1969	Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD), 1969–1973; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command/Commander, Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD/COMADC), 1973.	4	1939 (cadet)	30	(1916– )
56	meyer !John C. Meyer	1969-07-31 !31 Jul 1969	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1969–1972; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1972–1974.	5	1940 (cadet)	29	(1919–1975)
57	catton !Jack J. Catton	1969-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1969	Commander, Military Airlift Command (COMAC), 1969–1972; Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1972–1974.	5	1941 (cadet)	28	(1920–1990)
58	clay !Lucius D. Clay Jr.	1970-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1970	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1970–1971; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1971–1973; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command/Commander, Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD/COMADC), 1973–1975; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD/CINCAD), 1975.	5	1942 (USMA)	28	(1919–1994) Son of Army four-star general Lucius D. Clay; grandson of U.S. Senator Alexander S. Clay.
59	milton !Theodore R. Milton	1971-07-31 !31 Jul 1971	U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1971–1974.	3	1940 (USMA)	31	(1915– )
60	lavelle !John D. Lavelle	1971-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1971	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1971–1972.	1	1940 (cadet)	31	(1916–1979) ^[9] Relieved, 1972.
61	jonesdavidc !David C. Jones	1971-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1971	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1971–1974; Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1974; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1974–1978; Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1978–1982.	11	1943 (cadet)	28	(1921– )
62	vogt !John W. Vogt	1972-04-07 ! 7 Apr 1972	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1972–1973; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1973–1974; Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1974–1975.	3	1942 (cadet)	30	(1920– )
63	dougherty !Russell E. Dougherty	1972-05-01 ! 1 May 1972	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1972–1974; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1974–1977.	5	1943 (cadet)	29	(1920–2007) Father-in-law of Air Force four-star general Joseph W. Ralston.
*	simler !George B. Simler	1972-08-16 !16 Aug 1972	(posthumous)	0	1942 (cadet)	30	(1921–1972) ^[10]
64	carlton !Paul K. Carlton	1972-10-09 ! 9 Oct 1972	Commander, Military Airlift Command (COMAC), 1972–1977; Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1977.	5	1942 (cadet)	30	(1921–2009)
65	okeefe !Timothy F. O'Keefe	1973-00-00 ! 1973	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1973–1974.	1	1940 (cadet)	33	(1919–1984)
66	eade !George J. Eade	1973-04-18 !18 Apr 1973	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1973–1975.	2	1942 (cadet)	31	(1921– )
67	phillips !Samuel C. Phillips	1973-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1973	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1973–1975.	2	1942 (ROTC)	31	(1921–1990) Director, National Security Agency, 1972–1973.
68	ellis !Richard H. Ellis	1973-09-30 !30 Sep 1973	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1973–1975; Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1975–1977; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1977–1981.	8	1942 (cadet)	31	(1919–1989) U.S. Commissioner for the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Standing Consultative Commission, 1982–1989.
69	dixon !Robert J. Dixon	1973-10-01 ! 1 Oct 1973	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1973–1978.	5	1942 (RCAF)	31	(1920–2003) ^[11]
70	wilson !Louis L. Wilson Jr.	1974-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1974	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1974–1977.	3	1943 (USMA)	31	(1919– )
71	seith !Louis T. Seith	1974-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1974	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1974–1977.	3	1943 (USMA)	31	(1921–2007)
72	mcbride !William V. McBride	1974-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1974	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1974–1975; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1975–1978.	4	1942 (cadet)	32	(1922– )
73	evans !William J. Evans	1975-08-30 !30 Aug 1975	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1975–1977; Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1977–1978.	3	1946 (USMA)	29	(1924–2000)
74	rogers !F. Michael Rogers	1975-09-01-00 ! 1 Sep 1975	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1975–1978.	3	1943 (cadet)	32	(1921– )
75	james !Daniel James Jr.	1975-09-01-01 ! 1 Sep 1975	Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCAD), 1975–1977.	2	1943 (cadet)	32	(1920–1978)
76	huyser !Robert E. Huyser	1975-09-01-02 ! 1 Sep 1975	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1975–1979; Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1979–1981.	6	1944 (cadet)	31	(1924–1997) U.S. Special Envoy to Iran, 1979.
77	roberts !John W. Roberts	1977-03-29 !29 Mar 1977	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1975–1979.	2	1944 (cadet)	33	(1921–1999)
78	moore !William G. Moore Jr.	1977-04-01 ! 1 Apr 1977	Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1977–1979.	2	1941 (cadet)	36	(1920– )
79	allenlewjr !Lew Allen Jr.	1977-07-31 !31 Jul 1977	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1977–1978; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1978; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1978–1982.	5	1946 (USMA)	31	(1925–2010) Director, National Security Agency, 1973–1977; Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1982–1990.
80	allenjamesr !James R. Allen	1977-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1977	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1977–1979; Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1979–1981; Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1981–1983.	6	1948 (USMA)	29	(1925–1992) Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1974–1977.
81	hilljamese !James E. Hill	1977-12-21 !21 Dec 1977	Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCAD), 1977–1979; Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD), 1979.	2	1943 (cadet)	34	(1921–1999)
82	poe !Bryce Poe II	1978-02-02 ! 2 Feb 1978	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1978–1981.	3	1946 (USMA)	32	(1924–2000)
83	slay !Alton D. Slay	1978-04-01 ! 1 Apr 1978	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1978–1981.	3	1944 (cadet)	34	(1924– )
84	creech !Wilbur L. Creech	1978-05-01 ! 1 May 1978	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1978–1984.	6	1949 (cadet)	29	(1927–2003)
85	hilljamesa !James A. Hill	1978-07-10 !10 Jul 1978	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1978–1980.	2	1944 (cadet)	34	(1923– )
86	pauly !John W. Pauly	1978-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1978	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1978–1980.	2	1945 (USMA)	33	(1923– )
87	davisbenniel !Bennie L. Davis	1979-04-01 ! 1 Apr 1979	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1979–1981; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1981–1985.	6	1950 (USMA)	29	(1928– )
88	smithwilliamy !William Y. Smith	1979-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1979	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1979–1981; Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1981–1983.	4	1948 (USMA)	31	(1925– )
89	mathis !Robert C. Mathis	1980-03-01 ! 1 Mar 1980	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1980–1982.	2	1948 (USMA)	32	(1927– )
90	lawson !Richard L. Lawson	1980-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1980	U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1980–1981; Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1981–1983; Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1983–1986.	6	1951 (ARNG)	29	(1929– ) ^[12]
91	gabriel !Charles A. Gabriel	1980-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1980	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1980–1982; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1982–1986.	6	1950 (USMA)	30	(1928–2003)
92	marsh !Robert T. Marsh	1981-02-01 ! 1 Feb 1981	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1981–1984.	3	1949 (USMA)	32	(1925– )
93	ryanthomasmjr !Thomas M. Ryan Jr.	1981-07-31 !31 Jul 1981	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1981–1983; Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1983–1985.	4	1950 (cadet)	31	(1928– )
94	mullins !James P. Mullins	1981-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1981	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1981–1984.	3	1949 (cadet)	32	(1928– )
95	hartinger !James V. Hartinger	1981-10-01 ! 1 Oct 1981	Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD), 1980–1981; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD), 1981–1982; North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/COMAFSPC), 1982–1984.	3	1949 (USMA)	32	(1925–2000)
96	omalley !Jerome F. O'Malley	1982-06-01 ! 1 Jun 1982	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1982–1983; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1983–1984; Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1984–1985.	3	1953 (USMA)	29	(1932–1985) Died in office.
97	minter !Billy M. Minter	1982-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1982	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1982–1984.	2	1949 (cadet)	33	(1926–2005)
98	iosue !Andrew P. Iosue	1983-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1983	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1983–1986.	3	1951 (AFROTC)	32	(1927– )
99	dalton !James E. Dalton	1983-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1983	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1983–1985.	2	1954 (USMA)	29	(1930– )
100	skantze !Lawrence A. Skantze	1983-10-06 ! 6 Oct 1983	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1983–1984; Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1984–1987.	4	1952 (USNA)	31	(1928– )
101	welch !Larry D. Welch	1984-08-01-00 ! 1 Aug 1984	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1984–1985; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1985–1986; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1986–1990.	6	1953 (cadet)	31	(1934– ) President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1990–2003, 2006–present.
102	herres !Robert T. Herres	1984-08-01-01 ! 1 Aug 1984	Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/COMAFSPC), 1984–1985; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 1985–1986; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE), 1986–1987; Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), 1987–1990.	6	1954 (USNA)	30	(1932–2008)
103	bazley !Robert W. Bazley	1984-11-01-00 ! 1 Nov 1984	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1984–1986.	2	1945 (cadet)	29	(1925– )
104	donnelly !Charles L. Donnelly Jr.	1984-11-01-01 ! 1 Nov 1984	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1984–1987.	3	1952 (cadet)	32	(1929–1994)
105	oloughlin !Earl T. O'Loughlin	1984-11-01-02 ! 1 Nov 1984	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1984–1987.	3	1952 (cadet)	32	(1930– )
*	doolittle !James H. Doolittle	1985-04-04 ! 4 Apr 1985	(retired)	0	1918 (cadet)	67	(1896–1993) ^[13] Awarded Medal of Honor, 1942; Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1989. First Air Force reservist to attain rank of general.
*	eaker !Ira C. Eaker	1985-04-26 !26 Apr 1985	(retired)	0	1917 (direct)	68	(1896–1987) ^[14] Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1978.
106	russ !Robert D. Russ	1985-05-22 !22 May 1985	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1985–1991.	6	1955 (AFROTC)	30	(1933–1997)
107	chain !John T. Chain Jr.	1985-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1985	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1985–1986; Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1986–1991.	6	1956 (AFROTC)	29	(1934– ) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, 1984–1985.
108	piotrowski !John L. Piotrowski	1985-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1985	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1985–1987; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE), 1987–1990.	5	1954 (cadet)	31	(1934– )
109	cassidy !Duane H. Cassidy	1985-11-08 ! 8 Nov 1985	Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1985–1987; Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (USCINCTRANS/CINCMAC), 1987–1989.	4	1954 (cadet)	31	(1933– )
110	reed !Robert H. Reed	1986-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1986	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1986–1988.	2	1953 (cadet)	33	(1929– )
111	richards !Thomas C. Richards	1986-12-01 ! 1 Dec 1986	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1986–1989.	3	1956 (VPI)	30	(1930– ) Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 1992–1993.
112	gregory !Jack I. Gregory	1987-01-01 ! 1 Jan 1987	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1986–1988.	1	1953 (AFROTC)	34	(1931– )
113	hatch !Monroe W. Hatch Jr.	1987-01-29 !29 Jan 1987	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1987–1990.	3	1951 (USNA)	36	(1933– )
114	kirk !William L. Kirk	1987-05-01 ! 1 May 1987	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1987–1989.	2	1954 (cadet)	33	(1932– )
115	randolph !Bernard P. Randolph	1987-08-01-00 ! 1 Aug 1987	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1987–1990.	3	1956 (cadet)	31	(1933– )
116	hansen !Alfred G. Hansen	1987-08-01-01 ! 1 Aug 1987	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1987–1989.	2	1955 (cadet)	32	(1933– )
117	shaud !John A. Shaud	1988-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1988	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1988–1991.	3	1956 (USMA)	32	(1933– )
118	mcpeak !Merrill A. McPeak	1988-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1988	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1988–1990; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1990–1994.	6	1957 (AFROTC)	31	(1936– )
119	dugan !Michael J. Dugan	1989-05-01 ! 1 May 1989	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1989–1990; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1990.	1	1958 (USMA)	31	(1937– ) Relieved, 1990.
120	mccarthy !James P. McCarthy	1989-10-01-00 ! 1 Oct 1989	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1989–1992.	3	1957 (AFROTC)	32	(1935– )
121	johnsonhansfordt !Hansford T. Johnson	1989-10-01-01 ! 1 Oct 1989	Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (USCINCTRANS/CINCMAC), 1989–1992; Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1992.	3	1959 (USAFA)	30	(1936– ) U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, 2002–2005.
122	mcdonald !Charles C. McDonald	1989-11-01 ! 1 Nov 1989	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1989–1992.	3	1956 (AFROTC)	33	(1933– )
123	kutyna !Donald J. Kutyna	1990-04-01-00 ! 1 Apr 1990	Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE), 1990–1992; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 1992.	2	1957 (USMA)	33	(1933– )
124	yates !Ronald W. Yates	1990-04-01-01 ! 1 Apr 1990	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1990–1992; Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 1992–1995.	5	1960 (USAFA)	30	(1938– )
125	loh !John M. Loh	1990-06-01 ! 1 Jun 1990	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1990–1991; Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1991–1992; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1992–1995.	5	1960 (USAFA)	30	(1938– )
126	oaks !Robert C. Oaks	1990-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1990	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE), 1990–1993; Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAIRCENT), 1993–1994.	4	1959 (USAFA)	31	(1936– )
127	butler !George L. Butler	1991-01-25 !25 Jan 1991	Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1991–1992; Commander in Chief, U.S. Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT), 1992–1994.	3	1961 (USAFA)	30	(1939– )
128	adams !Jimmie V. Adams	1991-02-13 !13 Feb 1991	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1991–1993.	2	1958 (AFROTC)	33	(1936– )
129	carns !Michael P.C. Carns	1991-05-16 !16 May 1991	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1991–1994.	3	1959 (USAFA)	32	(1937– ) ^[15]
130	davisjamesb !James B. Davis	1991-07-24 !24 Jul 1991	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1991–1993.	2	1958 (USNA)	33	(1935– )
131	horner !Charles A. Horner	1992-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1992	Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 1992–1994.	2	1958 (AFROTC)	34	(1936– )
132	fogleman !Ronald R. Fogleman	1992-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1992	Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1992–1994; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1994–1997.	5	1963 (USAFA)	29	(1942– )
133	boyd !Charles G. Boyd	1992-12-01-00 ! 1 Dec 1992	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1992–1995.	3	1960 (cadet)	32	(1938– )
134	viccellio !Henry Viccellio Jr.	1992-12-01-01 ! 1 Dec 1992	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1992–1993; Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 1993–1995; Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 1995–1997.	5	1963 (USAFA)	29	(1940– )
135	rutherford !Robert L. Rutherford	1993-02-01 ! 1 Feb 1993	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1993–1994; Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1994–1996.	3	1961 (AFROTC)	32	(1938– )
136	moorman !Thomas S. Moorman Jr.	1994-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1994	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1994–1997.	3	1962 (AFROTC)	32	(1940– )
137	jamerson !James L. Jamerson	1994-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1994	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAIRCENT), 1994–1995; Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1995–1998.	4	1963 (USAFA)	31	(1941– )
138	ashy !Joseph W. Ashy	1994-09-13 !13 Sep 1994	Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 1994–1996.	2	1962 (Texas A&M)	32	(1940– )
139	lorber !John G. Lorber	1994-10-12 !12 Oct 1994	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1994–1997.	3	1964 (USAFA)	30	(1941– )
140	boles !Billy J. Boles	1995-07-01-00 ! 1 Jul 1995	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 1995–1997.	2	1962 (AFROTC)	33	(1938– )
141	ralston !Joseph W. Ralston	1995-07-01-01 ! 1 Jul 1995	Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1995–1996; Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), 1996–2000; Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 2000–2003.	8	1965 (AFROTC)	30	(1943– ) U.S. Special Envoy for Countering the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), 2006–present. Son-in-law of Air Force four-star general Russell E. Dougherty.
142	hawley !Richard E. Hawley	1995-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1995	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAIRCENT), 1995–1996; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1996–1999.	1	1964 (USAFA)	31	(1942– )
143	habiger !Eugene E. Habiger	1996-03-01 ! 1 Mar 1996	Commander in Chief, U.S. Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT), 1996–1998.	2	1963 (OTS)	33	(1939– ) Director of Security and Emergency Operations, U.S. Department of Energy, 1999–2001.
144	ryanmichaele !Michael E. Ryan	1996-04-04 ! 4 Apr 1996	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAIRCENT), 1996–1997; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1997–2001.	5	1965 (USAFA)	31	(1941– ) Son of Air Force four-star general John D. Ryan.
145	kross !Walter Kross	1996-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1996	Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1996–1998.	2	1964 (OTS)	32	(1942– )
146	esteshowellmiii !Howell M. Estes III	1996-10-01 ! 1 Oct 1996	Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 1996–1998.	2	1965 (USAFA)	31	(1941– ) Son of Air Force four-star general Howell M. Estes Jr.
147	newton !Lloyd W. Newton	1997-04-01 ! 1 Apr 1997	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 1997–2000.	3	1966 (AFROTC)	31	(1942– )
148	babbitt !George T. Babbitt Jr.	1997-06-01 ! 1 Jun 1997	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 1997–2000.	3	1965 (AFROTC)	32	(1942– ) Director, Defense Logistics Agency, 1996–1997.
149	eberhart !Ralph E. Eberhart	1997-08-01 ! 1 Aug 1997	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1997–1999; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1999–2000; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 2000–2002; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Northern Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCNORTH), 2002; Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2002–2004.	7	1968 (USAFA)	29	(1946– )
150	myers !Richard B. Myers	1997-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1997	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1997–1998; Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE/COMAFSPC), 1998–2000; Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), 2000–2001; Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 2001–2005.	8	1965 (AFROTC)	32	(1942– ) Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2005.
151	gordon !John A. Gordon	1997-10-31 !31 Oct 1997	Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (DDCI), 1997–2000.	3	1968 (AFROTC)	29	(1946– ) U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, 1993–1994; U.S. Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, 2000–2002; Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism, 2002–2003; Homeland Security Advisor, 2003–2004.
152	jumper !John P. Jumper	1997-11-17 !17 Nov 1997	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAIRCENT), 1997–2000; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2000–2001; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2001–2005.	8	1966 (VMI)	31	(1945– )
153	robertson !Charles T. Robertson Jr.	1998-09-01 ! 1 Sep 1998	Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1998–2001.	3	1968 (USAFA)	30	(1946– )
154	gamble !Patrick K. Gamble	1998-10-01 ! 1 Oct 1998	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1998–2001.	3	1967 (Texas A&M)	31	(1945– )
*	davisbenjamino !Benjamin O. Davis Jr.	1998-12-09 ! 9 Dec 1998	(retired)	0	1936 (USMA)	62	(1912–2002) ^[16] Director of Aviation Security, 1970–1971; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs, 1971–1975.
155	lyles !Lester L. Lyles	1999-07-01 ! 1 Jul 1999	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1999–2000; Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2000–2003.	4	1968 (AFROTC)	31	(1946– ) Director, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, 1996–1999.
156	martin !Gregory S. Martin	2000-06-01 ! 1 Jun 2000	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Northern Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAIRNORTH), 2000–2002; Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Northern Europe (COMUSAFE/COMAIRNORTH), 2002–2003; Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2003–2005.	5	1970 (USAFA)	30	(1948– ) ^[17]
157	handy !John W. Handy	2000-07-01 ! 1 Jul 2000	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2000–2001; Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 2001–2002; Commander, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM/COMAMC), 2002–2005.	5	1967 (OTS)	33	(1944– )
158	hornburg !Hal M. Hornburg	2000-08-01 ! 1 Aug 2000	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2000–2001; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2001–2004.	4	1968 (Texas A&M)	32	(1945– )
159	holland !Charles R. Holland	2000-12-01 ! 1 Dec 2000	Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command (USCINCSOC), 2000–2002; Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (CDRUSSOCOM), 2002–2003.	3	1968 (USAFA)	32	(1946– )
160	begert !William J. Begert	2001-05-01 ! 1 May 2001	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 2001–2004.	3	1968 (USAFA)	33	(1946– )
161	foglesong !Robert H. Foglesong	2001-11-05 ! 5 Nov 2001	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2001–2003; Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Northern Europe (COMUSAFE/COMAIRNORTH), 2003–2004; Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (COMUSAFE), 2004–2005.	4	1972 (AFROTC)	29	(1945– ) President, Mississippi State University, 2006–2008.
162	cookdonaldg !Donald G. Cook	2001-12-17 !17 Dec 2001	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2001–2005.	4	1969 (AFROTC)	32	(1946– )
163	lord !Lance W. Lord	2002-04-19 !19 Apr 2002	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2002–2006.	4	1968 (AFROTC)	34	(1946– )
164	wald !Charles F. Wald	2003-01-01 ! 1 Jan 2003	Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 2002–2006.	4	1971 (AFROTC)	32	(1948– )
165	moseley !T. Michael Moseley	2003-10-01 ! 1 Oct 2003	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2003–2005; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2005–2008.	5	1971 (Texas A&M)	32	(1949– ) Resigned, 2008.
166	hester !Paul V. Hester	2004-08-01 ! 1 Aug 2004	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 2004–2007.	3	1971 (AFROTC)	33	(1947– )
167	hayden !Michael V. Hayden	2005-04-21 !21 Apr 2005	Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), 2005–2006; Director, Central Intelligence Agency (DCIA), 2006–2009.	3	1969 (AFROTC)	36	(1945– )^[18] Director, National Security Agency, 1999–2005.
168	keys !Ronald E. Keys	2005-05-27 !27 May 2005	Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2005–2007.	2	1967 (AFROTC)	38	(1945– )
169	looney !William R. Looney III	2005-08-01 ! 1 Aug 2005	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2005–2008.	3	1972 (USAFA)	33	(1949– )
170	carlson !Bruce Carlson	2005-09-01 ! 1 Sep 2005	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2005–2008.	3	1971 (AFROTC)	34	(1949– ) Director, National Reconnaissance Office, 2009–present.
171	schwartz !Norton A. Schwartz	2005-10-01 ! 1 Oct 2005	Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2005–2008; Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2008–present.	5	1973 (USAFA)	32	(1951– )
172	corley !John D.W. Corley	2005-11-01 ! 1 Nov 2005	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2005–2007; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2007–2009.	4	1973 (USAFA)	32	(1951– )
173	smithlancel !Lance L. Smith	2005-11-07 ! 7 Nov 2005	Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation/Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command (SACT/CDRUSJFCOM), 2005–2007.	2	1970 (OTS)	35	(1946– )
174	mcnabb !Duncan J. McNabb	2005-12-01 ! 1 Dec 2005	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2005–2007; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2007–2008; Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2008–present.	5	1974 (USAFA)	31	(1952– )
175	hobbins !William T. Hobbins	2006-02-01 ! 1 Feb 2006	Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAIR-COM Ramstein/DIRJAPCC), 2005–2007.	2	1969 (OTS)	37	(1946– )
176	chilton !Kevin P. Chilton	2006-06-26 !26 Jun 2006	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2006–2007; Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (CDRUSSTRATCOM), 2007–present.	4	1976 (USAFA)	30	(1954– ) First astronaut to attain rank of general.
177	renuart !Victor E. Renuart Jr.	2007-03-23 !23 Mar 2007	Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2007–present.	3	1972 (OTS)	35	(1949– )
178	lichte !Arthur J. Lichte	2007-09-07 ! 7 Sep 2007	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2007–2009.	2	1971 (AFROTC)	36	(1949– )
179	kehler !C. Robert Kehler	2007-10-12 !12 Oct 2007	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2007–present.	3	1975 (AFROTC)	32	(1952– )
180	chandler !Carrol H. Chandler	2007-11-30 !30 Nov 2007	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 2007–2009; Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2009–present.	3	1974 (USAFA)	33	(1952– )
181	brady !Roger A. Brady	2008-01-09 ! 9 Jan 2008	Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAIR-COM Ramstein/DIRJAPCC), 2008–present.	2	1968 (AFROTC)	40	(1946– )
182	lorenz !Stephen R. Lorenz	2008-07-02 ! 2 Jul 2008	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2008–present.	2	1973 (USAFA)	35	(1951– )
183	fraser !William M. Fraser III	2008-10-09 ! 9 Oct 2008	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2008–2009; Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2009–present.	2	1974 (Texas A&M)	34	(1952– )^[19]
184	mckinley !Craig R. McKinley	2008-11-17 !17 Nov 2008	Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB), 2008–present.	2	1974 (AFROTC)	34	(1952– )
185	hoffman !Donald J. Hoffman	2008-11-21 !21 Nov 2008	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2008–present.	2	1974 (USAFA)	34	(1952– )
186	fraser !Douglas M. Fraser	2009-06-25 !25 Jun 2009	Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), 2009–present.	1	1975 (USAFA)	34	(1953– )
187	north !Gary L. North	2009-08-19 !19 Aug 2009	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 2009–present.	1	1976 (AFROTC)	33	(19??– )
188	johns !Raymond E. Johns, Jr.	2009-11-20 !20 Nov 2009	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2009–present.	1	1977 (USAFA)	32	(1954– )
189	welsh !Mark A. Welsh III	2009-13-00 !	Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAIR-COM Ramstein/DIRJAPCC).^[20]	0	1976 (USAFA)	34	(1953– )
190	rice !Edward A. Rice Jr.	2009-13-01 !	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC)^[21]	0	1978 (USAFA)	32	(1956– )

Timeline[]

Four-star positions[]

1940 - present[]

The modern rank of general was established by the Officer Personnel Act of 1947, which authorized the President to designate certain positions of importance to carry that rank. Officers appointed to such positions bear temporary four-star rank while so serving, and are allowed to retire at that rank if their performance is judged satisfactory.^[22] The total number of active-duty four-star generals in the Air Force is limited to a fixed percentage of the number of Air Force general officers serving at all ranks.^[23]

Within the Air Force, the chief of staff (CSAF) and vice chief of staff (VCSAF) are four-star generals by statute. Other four-star generals occupy positions of designated importance; historically, these have included the commanders responsible for strategic bombers and nuclear missiles (SAC/STRATCOM); tactical air combat (TAC/ACC); air transport (MAC/TRANSCOM); North American aerospace defense (NORAD); the Air Force formations in Europe and the Pacific; and other training, readiness, and materiel organizations.

The Air Force also competes with the other services for a number of joint four-star positions, such as the chairman (CJCS) and vice chairman (VCJCS) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other joint four-star positions have included unified combatant commanders and certain NATO staff positions.

Notes[]

↑ Dates of rank are taken, where available, from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force registers of active and retired commissioned officers, or from the World Almanac and Book of Facts. The date listed is that of the officer's first promotion to general.
↑ Positions listed are those held by the officer when promoted to general. Dates listed are for the officer's full tenure, which may predate promotion to four-star rank or postdate retirement from active duty.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 The number of years of active-duty service at four-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 four-star assignments is not counted, nor is time spent on special duty as an unassigned general of the Army or general of the Air Force.
↑ 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); Officer Candidate School (OCS); the aviation cadet program (cadet); the Army National Guard (ARNG); the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF); and direct commission (direct).
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 The number of years in commission before being promoted to four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Commission" column from the year in the "Date of rank" column.
↑ 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 four-star 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.
↑ Nomination as Chairman, Civil Aeronautics Board withdrawn, 1948.
↑ Retired as general, 31 Jul 1961; recalled as general, Sep 1961; retired as general, 30 Apr 1965.
↑ Relieved, Apr 1972, and retired as major general.
↑ Appointed Commander, Military Airlift Command (COMAC), effective 12 Sep 1972; died in air crash, 9 Sep 1972; posthumously promoted to general with date of rank 16 Aug 1972.
↑ Transferred from Royal Canadian Air Force, 1943.
↑ Transferred from Army National Guard, 1952.
↑ Transferred from Signal Corps Reserve, 1920; resigned, 1930; recalled 1940; reverted to inactive reserve, 1946; retired as lieutenant general, Feb 1959; advanced to general on the retired list, 4 Apr 1985.
↑ Retired as major general, Aug 1947; advanced to lieutenant general on the retired list, 29 Jun 1948; advanced to general on the retired list, 26 Apr 1985.
↑ Nomination as Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) withdrawn, 1995.
↑ Retired as lieutenant general, Feb 1970; advanced to general on the retired list, 9 Dec 1998.
↑ Nomination as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM) withdrawn, 2004.
↑ Retired as general, 01 Jul 2008; remained Director, Central Intelligence Agency (DCIA) as civilian.
↑ Nomination as Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM) withdrawn, 2008.
↑ [1] Welsh's official Air Force bio states that his next assignment will be as the next Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center.
↑ Confirmed for assignment as Commander, Air Education and Training Command.[2]
↑ 10 USC 601. "Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals". http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/35/sections/section_601.html.
↑ 10 USC 525. "Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades". http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/10/subtitles/a/parts/ii/chapters/32/sections/section_525.html.

References[]

Air Force Association (May 2006). "USAF Almanac 2006" (PDF). http://www.afa.org/magazine/may2006/0506structure.pdf.

Cole, Ronald H.; Poole, Walter S.; Schnabel, James F.; Watson, Robert J.; Webb, Willard J. (1995). "The History of the Unified Command Plan, 1946-1993" (PDF). Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/history/ucp.pdf.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "Senior officials in the NATO military structure, from 1949 to 2001" (PDF). http://www.nato.int/cv/ace-k-p.pdf.

United States Air Force. "Air Force Link - Biographies". http://www.af.mil/information/bios/index.asp.

United States Air Force (1951-1970, 1972, 1974, 1979). "Air Force Register". Department of the Air Force.

"Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". World Almanac Education Group, Inc.. 1946-1947, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2006.