| Gen. Michael E. Ryan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 24, 1941 |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1965–2001 |
| Rank |
 General |
| Commands held |
61st Tactical Fighter Squadron 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing Allied Air Forces Southern Europe 16th Air Force U.S. Air Forces in Europe Allied Air Forces Central Europe Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal (12) Air Force Commendation Medal (2) |
Michael E. Ryan (born December 24, 1941) is a retired United States Air Force general and was the 18th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from October 1997 - September 2001.[1] He served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs functioned as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the president.
Receiving Distinguished Flying Cross from his father, Air Force Chief of Staff John D. Ryan (left), 1969.
Ryan entered the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965; he was a graduate of Omaha Creighton Prep High School. He has commanded at the squadron, wing, numbered air force and major command levels. He flew combat in Southeast Asia, including 100 missions over North Vietnam. He also served in staff assignments at the major command level, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Staff.
Before assuming the Chief of Staff position, Ryan was Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As Commander of Sixteenth Air Force and Allied Air Forces Southern Europe in Italy, he directed the NATO air combat operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, including the bombing missions of Operation Deliberate Force, which created the context for the U.S. to broker the Dayton Peace Accords between the parties in conflict. Ryan personally approved every NATO target during the two-week Operation Deliberate Force campaign.[2]
Ryan's father, General John Dale Ryan, was the 7th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, from 1969 to 1973.
Ryan retired from the U.S. Air Force on October 1, 2001.
Popular culture[]
- Appeared as himself in the Stargate SG-1 episode Prodigy.[3]
Awards and decorations[]
References[]
- ↑ "General Michael E. Ryan". Air Force Link. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. http://archive.is/XweK. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ http://www.afa.org/media/reports/april.asp
- ↑ IMDB Cast listing for episode "Prodigy" lists Michael E. Ryan playing himself.
- Bio based on USAF Biography
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