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 209 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Air Force. Of these, 205 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, 37 via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 37 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 10 via AFROTC at a senior military college, 7 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, active-duty positions held while serving at four-star rank, number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank (Yrs), year commissioned and source of commission, number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC), and other biographical notes.

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. The median number of years in commission to achieve four-star rank is 31 (as can be seen by sorting by 'YC' and scrolling halfway down this list) and the quickest rise to four-star is 22 years (LeMay and Norstad).

#	Name	Photo	Date of rank	Position	Yrs	Commission	YC	Notes
1	Henry H. Arnold		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	Joseph T. McNarney		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	George Kenney		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)
4	Carl A. Spaatz		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	Hoyt Vandenberg		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	Muir S. Fairchild		27 May 1948	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1948–1950.	2	1918 (cadet)	30	(1894–1950) Died in office.
7	Nathan F. Twining		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	John K. Cannon		29 Oct 1951	Commanding General, Tactical Air Command (CG TAC), 1951–1954.	3	1917 (direct)	34	(1892–1955)
9	Benjamin W. Chidlaw		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	Curtis LeMay		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	Lauris Norstad		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	Otto P. Weyland		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	Thomas D. White		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	Edwin W. Rawlings		19 Feb 1954	Commanding General, Air Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1951–1959.	5	1930 (cadet)	24	(1904–1997)
15	Earle E. Partridge		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	Orval R. Cook		1 Apr 1954	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1954–1956.	2	1922 (USMA)	32	(1898–1980)
17	Laurence S. Kuter		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) U.S. Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization, 1946–1948.
18	Thomas S. Power		30 Jun 1957	Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1957–1964.	7	1929 (cadet)	28	(1905–1970)
19	Frank F. Everest		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	Leon W. Johnson		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) Awarded Medal of Honor, 1943. Daughter married son of Air Force four-star general Hoyt S. Vandenberg.
21	Charles P. Cabell		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	Samuel E. Anderson		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	Emmett O'Donnell, Jr.		31 Jul 1959	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1959–1963.	4	1928 (USMA)	31	(1906–1972)
24	Frederic H. Smith, Jr.		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	Truman H. Landon		28 Jun 1961	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1961–1963.	2	1928 (USMA)	33	(1905–1986)
26	William F. McKee		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	Walter C. Sweeney, Jr.		30 Jun 1961	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1961–1965.	4	1930 (USMA)	31	(1909–1965)
28	Bernard A. Schriever		1 Jul 1961	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1961–1966.	5	1931 (Texas A&M)	30	(1910–2005)
29	John K. Gerhart		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	Dean C. Strother		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	Mark E. Bradley		1 Jul 1962	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1962–1965.	3	1930 (USMA)	32	(1907–1999)
32	John P. McConnell		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	Robert M. Lee		4 Jun 1963	Air Deputy to Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (Air Deputy SHAPE), 1963–1966.	3	1931 (USMA)	32	(1909–2003)
34	Jacob E. Smart		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	Joe W. Kelly		6 Jun 1963	Commander, Military Air Transport Service (COMMATS), 1960–1964.	1	1932 (USMA)	31	(1910–1979)
36	Gabriel P. Disosway		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	Hunter Harris, Jr.		18 Jul 1964	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1964–1967.	3	1932 (USMA)	32	(1909–1987)
38	Howell M. Estes II		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	John D. Ryan		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	William H. Blanchard		19 Feb 1965	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1965–1966.	1	1938 (USMA)	27	(1916–1966) Died in office.
41	Kenneth B. Hobson		31 Jul 1965	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1965–1967.	2	1932 (USMA)	33	(1908–1979)
42	Bruce K. Holloway		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	William S. Stone		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	Raymond J. Reeves		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	James Ferguson		30 Jul 1966	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1966–1970.	4	1937 (cadet)	29	(1913–2000)
46	David A. Burchinal		31 Jul 1966	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1966–1973.	7	1940 (cadet)	26	(1915–1990)
47	Maurice A. Preston		1 Aug 1966	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1966–1968.	2	1937 (USMA)	29	(1912–1983)
48	Joseph J. Nazzaro		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	Thomas P. Gerrity		1 Aug 1967	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1967–1968.	1	1940 (cadet)	27	(1913–1968) Died in office.
50	William W. Momyer		13 Dec 1967	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1966–1968. Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1968–1973.	6	1939 (cadet)	28	(1916–2012)
51	Jack G. Merrell		29 Mar 1968	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1968–1972.	4	1939 (USMA)	29	(1915–1993)
52	Horace M. Wade		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	George S. Brown		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	Joseph R. Holzapple		1 Feb 1969	Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), 1969–1971.	2	1941 (cadet)	28	(1914–1973)
55	Seth J. McKee		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	John C. Meyer		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	Jack J. Catton		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	Lucius D. Clay, Jr.		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	Theodore R. Milton		31 Jul 1971	U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 1971–1974.	3	1940 (USMA)	31	(1915–2010)
60	John D. Lavelle		1 Aug 1971	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1971–1972.	1	1940 (cadet)	31	(1916–1979) Relieved, 1972.
61	David C. Jones		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	(1921–2013)
62	John W. Vogt, Jr.		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	(1920–2010)
63	Russell E. Dougherty		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.
*	George B. Simler		16 Aug 1972	(posthumous)	0	1942 (cadet)	30	(1921–1972)
64	Paul K. Carlton		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	Timothy F. O'Keefe		1973	Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1973–1974.	1	1940 (cadet)	33	(1919–1984)
66	George J. Eade		18 Apr 1973	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1973–1975.	2	1942 (cadet)	31	(1921–       )
67	Samuel C. Phillips		1 Aug 1973	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1973–1975.	2	1942 (ROTC)	31	(1921–1990) Director, National Security Agency, 1972–1973.
68	Richard H. Ellis		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	Robert J. Dixon		1 Oct 1973	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1973–1978.	5	1942 (RCAF)	31	(1920–2003)
70	Louis L. Wilson Jr.		1 Jul 1974	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1974–1977.	3	1943 (USMA)	31	(1919–2010)
71	Louis T. Seith		1 Aug 1974	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1974–1977.	3	1943 (USMA)	31	(1921–2007)
72	William V. McBride		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	William J. Evans		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	F. Michael Rogers		1 Sep 1975	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1975–1978.	3	1943 (cadet)	32	(1921–2014)
75	Daniel James, Jr.		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	Robert E. Huyser		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	John W. Roberts		29 Mar 1977	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1975–1979.	2	1944 (cadet)	33	(1921–1999)
78	William G. Moore Jr.		1 Apr 1977	Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC), 1977–1979.	2	1941 (cadet)	36	(1920–2012)
79	Lew Allen		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	James R. Allen		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	James E. Hill		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	Bryce Poe II		2 Feb 1978	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1978–1981.	3	1946 (USMA)	32	(1924–2000)
83	Alton D. Slay		1 Apr 1978	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1978–1981.	3	1944 (cadet)	34	(1924–2015)
84	Wilbur L. Creech		1 May 1978	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1978–1984.	6	1949 (cadet)	29	(1927–2003)
85	James A. Hill		10 Jul 1978	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1978–1980.	2	1944 (cadet)	34	(1923–2010)
86	John W. Pauly		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	(1923–2013)
87	Bennie L. Davis		1 Apr 1979	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1979–1981. Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1981–1985.	6	1950 (USMA)	29	(1928–2012)
88	William Y. Smith		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	Robert C. Mathis		1 Mar 1980	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1980–1982.	2	1948 (USMA)	32	(1927–       )
90	Richard L. Lawson		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–       )
91	Charles A. Gabriel		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	Robert T. Marsh		1 Feb 1981	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1981–1984.	3	1949 (USMA)	32	(1925–       )
93	Thomas M. Ryan, Jr.		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	James P. Mullins		1 Aug 1981	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1981–1984.	3	1949 (cadet)	32	(1928–       )
95	James V. Hartinger		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. Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CINCNORAD/COMAFSPC), 1982–1984.	3	1949 (USMA)	32	(1925–2000)
96	Jerome F. O'Malley		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	Billy M. Minter		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	Andrew P. Iosue		1 Jul 1983	Commander, Air Training Command (COMATC), 1983–1986.	3	1951 (AFROTC)	32	(1927–       )
99	James E. Dalton		1 Aug 1983	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1983–1985.	2	1954 (USMA)	29	(1930–       )
100	Lawrence A. Skantze		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	Larry D. Welch		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	Robert T. Herres		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	Robert W. Bazley		1 Nov 1984	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1984–1986.	2	1945 (cadet)	29	(1925–2012)
104	Charles L. Donnelly, Jr.		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	Earl T. O'Loughlin		1 Nov 1984	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1984–1987.	3	1952 (cadet)	32	(1930–       )
*	James Doolittle		4 Apr 1985	(retired)	0	1918 (cadet)	67	(1896–1993) Awarded Medal of Honor, 1942; Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1989. First Air Force reservist to attain rank of general.
*	Ira C. Eaker		26 Apr 1985	(retired)	0	1917 (direct)	68	(1896–1987) Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1978.
106	Robert D. Russ		22 May 1985	Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1985–1991.	6	1955 (AFROTC)	30	(1933–1997)
107	John T. Chain, Jr.		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	John L. Piotrowski		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	Duane H. Cassidy		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	Robert H. Reed		1 Jul 1986	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1986–1988.	2	1953 (cadet)	33	(1929–       )
111	Thomas C. Richards		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	Jack I. Gregory		1 Jan 1987	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1986–1988.	1	1953 (AFROTC)	34	(1931–       )
113	Monroe W. Hatch Jr.		29 Jan 1987	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1987–1990.	3	1951 (USNA)	36	(1933–       )
114	William L. Kirk		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	Bernard P. Randolph		1 Aug 1987	Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1987–1990.	3	1956 (cadet)	31	(1933–       )
116	Alfred G. Hansen		1 Aug 1987	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1987–1989.	2	1955 (cadet)	32	(1933–       )
117	John A. Shaud		1 Jul 1988	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1988–1991.	3	1956 (USMA)	32	(1933–       )
118	Merrill McPeak		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	Michael J. Dugan		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	James P. McCarthy		1 Oct 1989	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1989–1992.	3	1957 (AFROTC)	32	(1935–       )
121	Hansford T. Johnson		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	Charles C. McDonald		1 Nov 1989	Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1989–1992.	3	1956 (AFROTC)	33	(1933–       )
123	Donald J. Kutyna		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	Ronald W. Yates		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	John M. Loh		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	Robert C. Oaks		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	George Lee Butler		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	Jimmie V. Adams		13 Feb 1991	Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1991–1993.	2	1958 (AFROTC)	33	(1936–       )
129	Michael P. C. Carns		16 May 1991	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1991–1994.	3	1959 (USAFA)	32	(1937–       )
130	James B. Davis		24 Jul 1991	Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1991–1993.	2	1958 (USNA)	33	(1935–       )
131	Chuck Horner		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	Ronald Fogleman		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	Charles G. Boyd		1 Dec 1992	Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1992–1995.	3	1960 (cadet)	32	(1938–       )
134	Henry Viccellio Jr.		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	Robert L. Rutherford		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	(1938–2013)
136	Thomas S. Moorman, Jr.		1 Aug 1994	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1994–1997.	3	1962 (AFROTC)	32	(1940–       )
137	James L. Jamerson		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	Joseph W. Ashy		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	John G. Lorber		12 Oct 1994	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1994–1997.	3	1964 (USAFA)	30	(1941–       )
140	Billy J. Boles		1 Jul 1995	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 1995–1997.	2	1962 (AFROTC)	33	(1938–       )
141	Joseph Ralston		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	Richard E. Hawley		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.	4	1964 (USAFA)	31	(1942–       )
143	Eugene E. Habiger		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	Michael E. Ryan		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	Walter Kross		1 Aug 1996	Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1996–1998.	2	1964 (OTS)	32	(1942–       )
146	Howell M. Estes III		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	Lloyd W. Newton		1 Apr 1997	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 1997–2000.	3	1966 (AFROTC)	31	(1942–       )
148	George T. Babbitt, Jr.		1 Jun 1997	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 1997–2000.	3	1965 (AFROTC)	32	(1942–       ) Director, Defense Logistics Agency, 1996–1997.
149	Ralph Eberhart		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	Richard Myers		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	John A. Gordon		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	John P. Jumper		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	Charles T. Robertson, Jr.		1 Sep 1998	Commander in Chief, U.S. Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command (USCINCTRANS/COMAMC), 1998–2001.	3	1968 (USAFA)	30	(1946–       )
154	Patrick K. Gamble		1 Oct 1998	Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1998–2001.	3	1967 (Texas A&M)	31	(1945–       ) President, University of Alaska System, 2010–present.
*	Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.		9 Dec 1998	(retired)	0	1936 (USMA)	62	(1912–2002) Director of Aviation Security, 1970–1971; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs, 1971–1975.
155	Lester Lyles		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	Gregory S. Martin		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–       )
157	John W. Handy		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	Hal M. Hornburg		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	Charles R. Holland		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	William J. Begert		1 May 2001	Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (COMPACAF/AIRCINCUSPACCOM), 2001–2002. Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACCOM), 2002–2004.	3	1968 (USAFA)	33	(1946–       )
161	Robert H. Foglesong		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	Donald G. Cook		17 Dec 2001	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2001–2005.	4	1969 (AFROTC)	32	(1946–       )
163	Lance W. Lord		19 Apr 2002	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2002–2006.	4	1968 (AFROTC)	34	(1946–       )
164	Charles F. Wald		1 Jan 2003	Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 2002–2006.	4	1971 (AFROTC)	32	(1948–       )
165	T. Michael Moseley		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	Paul V. Hester		1 Aug 2004	Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACCOM), 2004–2007.	3	1971 (AFROTC)	33	(1947–       )
167	Michael V. Hayden		21 Apr 2005	Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), 2005–2006. Director, Central Intelligence Agency (DCIA), 2006–2009.	4	1969 (AFROTC)	36	(1945–       ) Director, National Security Agency, 1999–2005.
168	Ronald Keys		27 May 2005	Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2005–2007.	2	1967 (AFROTC)	38	(1945–       )
169	William R. Looney III		1 Aug 2005	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2005–2008.	3	1972 (USAFA)	33	(1949–       )
170	Bruce A. Carlson		1 Sep 2005	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2005–2008.	3	1971 (AFROTC)	34	(1949–       ) Director, National Reconnaissance Office, 2009–present.
171	Norton A. Schwartz		1 Oct 2005	Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2005–2008. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2008–2012.	7	1973 (USAFA)	32	(1951–       )
172	John D. W. Corley		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	Lance L. Smith		7 Nov 2005	Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation/Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command (SACT/CDRUSJFCOM), 2005–2007.	2	1970 (OTS)	35	(1946–       )
174	Duncan McNabb		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), 2008–2011.	6	1974 (USAFA)	31	(1952–       )
175	William T. Hobbins		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	Kevin P. Chilton		26 Jun 2006	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2006–2007. Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (CDRUSSTRATCOM), 2007–2011.	5	1976 (USAFA)	30	(1954–       ) First astronaut to attain rank of general.
177	Victor E. Renuart, Jr.		23 Mar 2007	Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2007–2010.	3	1972 (OTS)	35	(1949–       )
178	Arthur Lichte		7 Sep 2007	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2007–2009.	2	1971 (AFROTC)	36	(1949–       )
179	C. Robert Kehler		12 Oct 2007	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2007–2011. Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (CDRUSSTRATCOM), 2011–2013.	6	1975 (AFROTC)	32	(1952–       )
180	Carrol Chandler		30 Nov 2007	Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACCOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2007–2009. Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2009–2011.	4	1974 (USAFA)	33	(1952–       )
181	Roger A. Brady		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), 2008–2010.	2	1968 (AFROTC)	40	(1946–       )
182	Stephen R. Lorenz		2 Jul 2008	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2008–2010.	2	1973 (USAFA)	35	(1951–       )
183	William M. Fraser III		9 Oct 2008	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2008–2009. Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2009–2011. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2011–2014.	6	1974 (Texas A&M)	34	(1952–       )
184	Craig R. McKinley		17 Nov 2008	Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB), 2008–2012.	4	1974 (AFROTC)	34	(1952–       )
185	Donald J. Hoffman		21 Nov 2008	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2008–2012.	4	1974 (USAFA)	34	(1952–       )
186	Douglas M. Fraser		25 Jun 2009	Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), 2009–2012.	3	1975 (USAFA)	34	(1953–       )
187	Gary L. North		19 Aug 2009	Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACCOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2009–2012.	3	1976 (AFROTC)	33	(1954–       )
188	Raymond E. Johns, Jr.		20 Nov 2009	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2009–2012.	3	1977 (USAFA)	32	(1954–       )
189	Edward A. Rice Jr.		17 Nov 2010	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2010–2013.	3	1978 (USAFA)	32	(1956–       )
190	Mark A. Welsh III		13 Dec 2010	Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAIR-COM Ramstein/DIRJAPCC), 2010–2012. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2012–present.	5	1976 (USAFA)	34	(1953–       )
191	William L. Shelton		5 Jan 2011	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2011–2014.	3	1976 (USAFA)	35	(1953–       )
192	Philip M. Breedlove		14 Jan 2011	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2011–2012. Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa/Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/COMAIR-COM Ramstein/DIRJAPCC), 2012–2013. Commander, U.S. European Command/Supreme Allied Commander Europe (CDRUSEUCOM/SACEUR), 2013-present.	4	1977 (AFROTC)	34	(1955–       )
193	Gilmary M. Hostage III		13 Sep 2011	Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2011–2014.	3	1977 (AFROTC)	34	(1955–       )
194	Janet C. Wolfenbarger		5 Jun 2012	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2012–2015.	3	1980 (USAFA)	32	(1958–       ) First woman to achieve the rank of general in the Air Force.
195	Larry O. Spencer		27 Jul 2012	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2012–2015.	3	1980 (OTS)	32	(1954–       ) Served nine years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1980.
196	Herbert J. Carlisle		2 Aug 2012	Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACCOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2012–2014. Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2014–present.	3	1978 (USAFA)	34	(1957–       )
197	Paul J. Selva		29 Nov 2012	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2012-2014. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2014-2015. Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS), 2015-present.	3	1980 (USAFA)	32	(1958–       )
198	Frank Gorenc		2 Aug 2013	Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Air Component Command, Ramstein/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAIR-COM Ramstein/DIRJAPCC), 2013-present.	2	1979 (USAFA)	34	(1957–       )
199	Robin Rand		10 Oct 2013	Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2013-2015. Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command (COMAFGSC), , 2015-present.	2	1979 (USAFA)	34	(1958–       )
200	Darren W. McDew		5 May 2014	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2014-2015. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2015-present.	1	1982 (VMI)	32	(1961–       )
201	John E. Hyten		15 Aug 2014	Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2014–present.	1	1981 (AFROTC)	33	(1959–       )
202	Lori J. Robinson		16 Oct 2014	Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACCOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2014–present.	1	1982 (AFROTC)	32	(1960–       )
203	Ellen M. Pawlikowski		08 Jun 2015	Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2015–present.		1978 (AFROTC)	37	(1956–       )
204	Carlton D. Everhart II		11 Aug 2015	Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2015–present.		1983 (AFROTC)	--	(1961–       )
205	David L. Goldfein		17 Aug 2015	Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2015–present.		1983 (USAFA)	--	(1961–       )

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. 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.

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.

See also

• General (United States)
• List of active duty United States four-star officers
• List of United States Army four-star generals
• List of United States Navy four-star admirals
• List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals
• List of United States Coast Guard four-star admirals
• List of United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps four-star admirals
• List of United States military leaders by rank
• List of Royal Air Force air chief marshals
• List of lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force before 1960