KEVIN P. CHILTON GENERAL

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

(RETIRED)

Former Commander

U.S. Strategic Command

Kevin Chilton is employed as a Senior Fellow for the National Defense University in support of the Pinnacle,

Capstone, and Keystone programs.

General Chilton completed a 34 1/2 year Air Force career as Commander of U.S. Strategic Command from 2007 to 2011, where he was responsible for the plans and operations for all U.S. forces conducting strategic deterrence and the Department of Defense’s space and cyberspace operations. Prior to this assignment, General Chilton commanded at the wing, numbered air force, major command, and unified combatant command levels including serving as Commander of Air Force Space Command from 2006 to 2007. He flew operational assignments in the R-4C and F-15 and, as an Air Force Test Pilot, conducted weapons testing in various models of the F-4 and F-15. He also served 11 years as a NASA astronaut, where he flew as the Commander of STS-76, his third Space Shuttle mission, and served as the Deputy Program Manager for Operations for the International Space Station Program.

General Chilton is a distinguished graduate of the US Air Force Academy, with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Engineering Sciences, a Columbia University Guggenheim Fellow with a Master of Sciences degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a distinguished graduate of the US Air Force pilot training and test pilot schools. He also was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Creighton University.

General Chilton currently serves as an independent consultant and as a Director for Level 3 Communications and Orbital ATK corporations. He is a trustee for Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, a member of the Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories Board of Governors, and a member of the Sandia National Laboratory Board of Managers. He is a former Director of the Aerospace Corp, Anadarko Petroleum Corp, and Schafer Corp.

The Honorable George W. Foresman

Former United States Under-Secretary of Homeland Security

Hon. George Foresman is a senior advisor on national security

at the University of Virginia. He has over three decades of

leadership experience in government and business, with

expertise across strategy development, policy, and the operation

of complex organizations.

Foresman also works with the Capstone and Pinnacle

professional military education programs for general and flag

officer selectees. Since 2010, he has helped to guide nearly

2,000 civilian and military executives from several hundred

organizations. His multiple decades of leadership experience

include top roles in 12 organizations and the design and build of

seven high-profile public and private organizations from

scratch. He has a track record for simultaneously managing

risk, inspiring workforce change, and ensuring the delivery of

best quality results across multi-billion dollar operations and

thousands of employees.

George has bi-partisan credentials. He worked as an appointed official for five Virginia governors, across

political parties, a U.S. President, and has extensive legislative experience.

His accomplishments include unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate as America’s first Under

Secretary of Preparedness at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and subsequent selection as its

first Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs. His work with the Project for National

Security Reform (PNSR), service on the Director of National Intelligence Strategic Studies Group, time

as the Vice-chair of a five-year long congressional commission that assessed America’s risks, experience

as a cabinet secretary and public safety agency leader, and leadership of more than 25 national working

groups on issues ranging from cyber security to intelligence/information sharing together give Foresman

unique insights. As a successful administrator Foresman lead the unprecedented 16 month overhaul of a

complex multi-billion dollar national financial management system and consolidated seven large

business-human resource functions into a single enterprise in 150 days. Both transformations occurred

without any interruptions, immediately produced millions of dollars in savings, and grew customer and

employee satisfaction.

In addition to the current work with the University of Virginia’s National Security Policy Center at the

Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, George counsels business and government leaders

on a range of strategy, policy, operating, financial, and technology issues. A member of numerous

corporate and non-profit Boards, Foresman is also a Trustee of the General George C. Marshall

Foundation and for over 30 years has participated in national and international security and defense

initiatives. These include a decade of continuing service as a senior advisor on programs to protect Space

as well as enhancing joint/coalition defense strategy and operations.

Mr. Foresman is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, as well as the Virginia Executive Institute.

He lives near Charlottesville Virginia with his wife and two children.

GARY E. LUCK GENERAL

UNITED STATES ARMY

(RETIRED)

Former Commander in Chief

United Nations Command

ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command

United States Forces, Korea

Gary Luck is employed as a Senior Fellow for the National Defense University in support of the Pinnacle,

Capstone, and Keystone programs.

He was born in Alma, Michigan and grew up in Fort Scott, Kansas. Upon graduation from Kansas State University

in 1961, he was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the

Regular Army.

Major assignments included: Commander, D Company 3/69 Armor, 25th Infantry Division; two tours in the

Republic of Vietnam as “A” Team Commander (A411), 5th Special Forces, and a tour in the Republic of Vietnam

as Commander, C Troop 3/17 Air Cavalry Squadron; Commander 182nd Assault Helicopter Company, Fort Bragg;

Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs); Commander 2/17 Air

Cavalry Squadron and Division G-3, 101st Airborne Division; Chief of the Force Modernization Division, U.S.

Army Europe; and Commander, 2nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division.

General Luck also held a variety of additional important command and staff positions including: Chief of Staff, 8th

Infantry Division, U.S. Army, Europe; Director, Force Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for

Operations and Plans, HQ Department of the Army; Assistant Division Commander, 101st Airborne Division;

Commanding General, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command;

Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Operations Command; Commanding General XVIII Airborne Corps

during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and Commander in Chief of Combined Forces Command and

Commander of US Forces, Korea in the Republic of Korea. General Luck retired in 1996.

General Luck attended numerous military schools and courses, to include: the Armor Basic and Advanced Officer

courses, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree

in Engineering from Kansas State University, a Master’s from Florida State University and a Doctorate in Business

Administration (ORSA) from George Washington University.

His awards and decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal (with

Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Distinguished Flying Cross (with three Oak Leaf

Clusters), Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart, Republic of Korea Order of National

Security Merit “Cheonsu Medal,” King Faisal Award- Class Two, Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal - 1st Class,

the French Officer de la Legion d’Honneur Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medals with “V” Device, Army

Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Army Aviation Badge, Air

Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Gary Luck is married to the former Leah Patrick and he has two children, Skip and Kim.

BIO

John M. Paxton, Jr.

General, United States Marine Corps, Retired

General Paxton retired from active duty on 30 Sep 2016 after 42 years of continuous active service. He was promoted to General and assumed duties as the 33d Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on December 15, 2012. A native of Pennsylvania, he graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil Engineering and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1974. General Paxton’s assignments in the operating forces included Rifle and Weapons Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer, Co. B, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines; Training Officer, 4th Marine Regiment; Executive Officer, Co. G, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines; Company Commander, Co. L and Operations Officer, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines; GCE Operations Officer, II MEF, and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 1st Marine Division. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines in support of operations in Bosnia and Somalia with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and later the 1st Marine Regiment. Other assignments include Company Commander, Co. B, Marine Barracks Washington and Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Recruiting Station, New York. He served as a Plans Division Officer, Plans, Policies and Operations, HQMC; as Executive Assistant to the Undersecretary of the Navy; and as Amphibious Operations Officer/Crisis Action Team Executive Officer, Combined Forces Command, Republic of Korea. As a general officer, he served as the Director, Programs Division, Programs and Resources, HQMC; the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego/Western Recruiting Region; Commanding General, 1st Marine Division; Chief of Staff, Multi-National Forces – Iraq; Director for Operations, J-3, The Joint Staff; and Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander Marine Forces Africa. He also served as Commander, Marine Corps Forces Command; Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic; and Commander, Marine Forces Europe. General Paxton is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course and Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He has also served as a Commandant’s Fellow at the Brookings Institute as well as at the Council on Foreign Relations.

DAVID M. RODRIGUEZGENERAL

UNITED STATES ARMY

(RETIRED)

Former Commander

United States Africa Command

David Rodriguez is employed as a Senior Fellow for the National Defense University in support of the Pinnacle,

Capstone, and Keystone programs.

General Rodriguez served over 40 years in the United States Army with his final assignment being the Commander

of the United States Africa Command.

A native of West Chester Pennsylvania, he earned his commission from the United States Military Academy at

West Point, New York in 1976. General Rodriguez has commanded at every level to include Commanding General

of Army Forces Command, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force - Joint Command in

Afghanistan, Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, Commander of the Multi - National Force

North West in Iraq, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, and 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st

Airborne Division (Air Assault).

He commanded companies in the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 1st Armored Division. His commands included 4

years in combat at the 2 and 3 star level. He also served as the Senior Military Advisor to Secretary of Defense

Gates as a 3 star. His education includes a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the

United States Naval War College and a Master of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command

and General Staff College.

Since his retirement from the US Army, General Rodriguez operates DMR Consulting LLC, a Strategic Consultant

Business. He continues to support the US Army with Strategic Leadership Training at the Army War College for 2

and 3 star Army Leaders. He belongs to three Boards, the President of the Angel Wings for Veterans Board, a

member of the Creative Associates International Global Advisory Board, and a member of the Leadworthy

Foundation Advisory Board. General Rodriguez also provides Strategic Consulting Services to McChrystal Group

LLC and Odell International LLC. He has also contributed his expertise to Harvard, University of Indiana, Rand

Corporation and African Center for Strategic Studies.

He is married to the former Virginia E. Flaherty of Red Bank, New Jersey. They have four children, Amy, Melissa,

David, and Andrew and four grandchildren, Eliza, Amelia, Molly, and Abe.

General Rodriguez retired in 2017.

October 2017

BIOGRAPHY

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

Lieutenant General Robert P. Ashley, Jr. became the 21st

Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency on 3 October

2017. He formerly served as the Army Deputy Chief of Staff,

G-2, where he was the senior advisor to the Secretary of the

Army and Army Chief of Staff for all aspects of intelligence,

counterintelligence and security.

Lieutenant General Ashley is a career army military

intelligence officer with assignments in Fort Bragg, NC,

Washington, DC, Fort Gordon, GA, MacDill Air Force Base, FL, Izmir, Turkey, and deployments

to Operation JOINT FORGE, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq,

and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan.

He has commanded at the company, battalion, squadron, and brigade levels with combat tours in

Iraq and Afghanistan as a squadron, brigade commander, and J-2. His commands include the

206th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Gordon, GA, Intelligence Squadron, Office of Military

Support, Washington, DC, and the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (Airborne), XVIII

Airborne Corps.

Other key assignments include the Director of Intelligence, United States Army Joint Special

Operations Command; the Director of Intelligence, United States Central Command; the Deputy

Chief of Staff, Intelligence, International Security Assistance Force and Director of Intelligence,

United States Forces, Afghanistan; and Commanding General, the United States Army

Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, AZ.

Lieutenant General Ashley has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Appalachian

State University, a master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College

and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His awards

and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (2OLC), Legion of Merit (1OLC),

and Bronze Star Medal (2OLC). Lieutenant General Ashley has also earned the Parachutist

Badge, Army Aviation Crewmember Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and Australian

Parachutist Badge.

Lieutenant General Ashley and his wife, Barbara, have two sons – Sean, married to Lucy, and

Justin.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL

ROBERT P. ASHLEY, JR., USA DIA Director

Vice Admiral Bennett joined the Royal Navy in September 1985 and has enjoyed an extensive sea going career. He has commanded at every rank: HMS BITER, the patrol vessel of the Manchester Universities Royal Naval Unit (1991-1992); the Minehunter, HMS ATHERSTONE (1998-1999); and the destroyer HMS EXETER, (1999 – 2000) which included a return to the Gulf. As a Captain, he was the first Commanding Officer of HMS DARING, the first T45 Destroyer (2008-2009), and following promotion to Commodore, he commanded the Amphibious Task Group operating in the Indian Ocean, Norwegian Arctic and on the West Coast of the USA (2009-2011). Finally as a Rear Admiral, he commanded the UK Maritime Battlestaff and NATO High Readiness Force (Maritime) (2017-2018). Interspersed between sea going appointments, he has served ashore as the Fleet Operations Officer; the Maritime Desk Officer to the Director of Operational Capability in the MOD; as capability manager in Navy Command for Above Water Capability and Maritime Security, for which he was honoured as an OBE; and for 6 months in Baghdad, as the Advisor to the senior Iraqi hierarchy in their Joint Headquarters. From 2011-2013, he was the Commodore Naval Personnel Strategy, responsible for reshaping the Naval Service in the aftermath of SDSR 10.

Promoted to Rear Admiral in February 2013, he was appointed as Director of the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre; Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Command, ACNS(Cap) and Chief of Staff Navy Command HQ; and, most recently, Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces and Rear Admiral Surface Ships. Her Majesty The Queen appointed him as a Companion in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the Birthday Honours 2016. He became Chief of Staff Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk Virginia in July 2018.

Vice Admiral Bennett is an alumnus of Higher Command and Staff Course (2007) and the Windsor Leadership Trust. He is a Younger Brother of Trinity House and a Liveryman of the Carpenters’ Company. He lives in the US with his wife Kay, occasionally joined by their two grown-up daughters Chelsie and Grace. He maintains ‘enthusiastic amateur status’ in his sporting interests of road and mountain-biking, sailing and rowing.

Vice Admiral P M Bennett (Paul) CB OBE

Chief of Staff Allied Command Transformation

8/13/2019 U.S. Navy Biographies - REAR ADMIRAL SCOTT D. CONN

https://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=768 1/1

Rear Admiral Scott D. ConnDirector, Air Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N98)

Rear Adm. Scott Conn is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a 1985 graduateof Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He was designated a naval aviator in May1987. Conn is also a graduate of the Naval War College.

Conn’s command tours include Carrier Strike Group 4; Naval Aviation WarfightingDevelopment Center; Carrier Air Wing 11; the FA-18 series Fleet ReplacementSquadron (FRS) Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106; and VFA-136.

Conn’s sea tours involved seven deployments on five different aircraft carriers insupport of Operations Deliberate Force, Southern Watch, Deny Flight, Enduringand Iraqi Freedom. He has flown in excess of 100 combat missions, hasaccumulated over 4,700 flight hours and 1,000 arrested landings.

Ashore, Conn had multiple flying tours involving flight in the A-4, F-5, F-16 and FA-18 series aircraft. His staff tours include serving as the staff general secretary andU.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) event planner at the Joint Warfighting Center; asthe executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and as thestrike branch director for Director Air Warfare (N98) on the staff of the Office of theChief of Naval Operations.

Conn was the recipient of the 2004 Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale Inspirational Leadership award and is authorized towear the Legion of Merit (six awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (five StrikeFlight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards, one with Combat “V”) and the Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal, as well as various service and campaign awards.

Updated: 7 December 2017

Major General Jake Ellwood, DSC Commander of 1st Division and Deployable Joint Force Headquarters

Major General Justin (‘Jake’) Ellwood assumed command of the 1st Division and Deployable Joint Force Headquarters on 06 Dec 2018, following his appointment as the of Deputy Chief of Army. He graduated from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 1990 into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. After undertaking regimental appointments in the 2nd/4th Battalion he was posted as an instructor at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He subsequently served as Second in Command of a Warrior Company on a two year exchange with the Irish Guards in Germany during which time he deployed to Kosovo. Upon returning to Australia he served as a Company Commander and the Operations Officer in the 5th/7th Battalion. During this period he commanded a company on operations in East Timor. After completing Australian Command and Staff College, he served as the Brigade Major of the 1st Brigade. He was then posted to Army Headquarters as Director Reserves – Army. Major General Ellwood was appointed as Commanding Officer of the 5th Battalion from 2007 to 2008. During this tenure he commanded a light armoured battlegroup in Iraq and a light infantry battlegroup in East Timor. He was then posted as the Australian Army Liaison Officer to the United States Marine Corps in Quantico followed by a three year posting as Commander of the Combat Training Centre. This was followed by attendance at Higher Defence College in Canberra. Major General Ellwood subsequently deployed to Afghanistan as the Chief of Operations within Headquarters Resolute Support from 2014 to 2015. Major General Ellwood has served as both Chief of Staff, Headquarters

Forces Command and Director General Career Management – Army. Major General Ellwood was presented with a Commander British Forces Commendation for his service in Kosovo and a Divisional Commander’s Commendation for his work as the Brigade Major of the 1st Brigade. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his command and leadership in Iraq and a Commendation for Distinguished Service and the United States Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) for his service in Afghanistan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University (with a double major in Strategic Studies and International Relations), a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) from Deakin University, a Masters of Management (Defence Studies) from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) from Monash University. Major General Ellwood is also a graduate of the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Program. Major General Ellwood is married to Nicole. They have two children who are both studying at University. Other than family pursuits, his hobbies include long distance running, military history, fishing and scuba diving.

Lieutenant General Charles A. Flynn

Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 United States Army 400 Army Pentagon, 2E670 Washington, DC 20310-0400

In June 2019, Lieutenant General Flynn assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Headquarters, Department of the Army.

Lieutenant General Flynn has served in a variety of command, staff, and leadership positions from platoon leader to division commander. He commanded A Company, 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and later A Company 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington. He served as the Operations Officer of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light) and later as the Operations Officer of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment; deployed to both OEF and OIF. He later deployed to Iraq in support of OIF as the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Following Brigade Command, Lieutenant General Flynn served as the Executive Assistant, Director of the Joint Staff and then Executive Officer, Commander, International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces –Afghanistan. He then served as the Director, Mission Command Center of Excellence (MCCOE) and later as the acting Commanding General, United States Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He returned to Fort Bragg to serve as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations) of the 82nd Airborne Division then became Assistant G-3/5/7 (Readiness), United States Army Forces Command. Lieutenant General Flynn was the 25th Infantry Division Commander then became Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Pacific Command. Prior to his current assignment, Lieutenant General Flynn assumed the position of Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Headquarters Department of the Army.

Lieutenant General Flynn has also served in key staff assignments to include: Chief Operations, G-3, 25th Infantry Division (Light); Joint Observer/Trainer, Joint Warfighting Center, Suffolk, Virginia; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.

Lieutenant General Flynn’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (two oak leaf clusters), Bronze Star (four oak leaf clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Combat Infantryman’s Badge (with Star), Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab and Pathfinder Badge.

Lieutenant General Flynn is a graduate of the United States Naval War College with a Master’s Degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies and a graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) with a Master’s Degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from National Defense University.

Lieutenant General Flynn is married to Kathleen Flynn and they have three children Molly, Sean, and Tara.

BIOGRAPHY REAR ADMIRAL, JAMES (JIM) GILMOUR Commander Joint Forces New Zealand

Rear Admiral Gilmour is an officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) whose 33 year career has included: ship navigation, helicopter aviation, senior staff appointments, major fleet unit command, Maritime Component Commander, senior staff training, directorship of New Zealand Defence Force capability delivery and Chief of Defence Strategy Management. He was Commander Combined Task Force 151 between July and October 2011. This Task Force is responsible for counter piracy operations in the South Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.

Joining the RNZN in 1985 Rear Admiral Gilmour spent the next five years conducting operational training including bridge watch keeping, helicopter approach control officer and navigational training. In 1989 he was appointed as the Navigating Officer of Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship WAIKATO (FFH55).

Rear Admiral Gilmour was selected for pilot training in 1990 and spent the next 14 years engaged in aviation related roles including; exchange with Royal New Zealand Air force’s No. 3 Squadron, Flight Commander of HMNZ Ships WAIKATO and WELLINGTON (FFH69) where he completed a tour within the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield in 1995. His career in aviation included a posting to the Royal Australian Navy’s 723 Squadron as a Helicopter Flying Instructor before returning to New Zealand and assuming command of the RNZN’s helicopter support squadron (formerly Naval Support

Flight, now known as No. 6 Squadron RNZAF). During his term he oversaw the introduction to service of the SH2G(NZ) Super Seasprite helicopter.

After his time in command of the Naval Support Squadron, Rear Admiral Gilmour was posted to Naval Headquarters where he assumed the duties of: Director of Naval Capability Requirements and Director Naval Aviation. During this period he was heavily involved with Project Protector which ultimately saw the introduction to service of seven new ships in the RNZN including the Multi-Role Vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY.

Rear Admiral Gilmour was posted to secondments to Task Group and Task Force staff appointments including: SO1 N5 (lead long term planner) to the Maritime Component Commander for Exercise Suman Protector in Penang Malaysia and as Chief of Staff to the Commander Task Force for the Royal Australian Navy’s annual Fleet Concentration Period.

He completed the Royal Navy’s Maritime Warfare Course in 2008 which concentrated on development of maritime operational and tactical planning.

Rear Admiral Gilmour commanded HMNZS CANTERBURY (L421) for two and a half years where he oversaw the introduction to service of the ship’s amphibious and aviation capabilities. This period included numerous periods where the ship was deployed for exercises and operations where he assumed the duties of Commander Amphibious Task Force. CANTERBURY, under his command was involved in several HADR operations including; the Samoan Tsunami Relief and the response operation to the Canterbury (Christchurch) earthquake.

Rear Admiral Gilmour was posted as the Captain Fleet Operational Support for the RNZN (a role that includes deputising for the Maritime Component Commander) in 2011 and was responsible for operational standards and was the RNZN deployable tactical commander.

He completed tertiary studies at the Australian Defence Force Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies which is associated with Deakin University in 2014 and took up the role of Director of Programme Delivery in 2015 and was responsible for, amongst other things, the introduction into service of new Defence Force capabilities.

Rear Admiral Gilmour was appointed as the New Zealand Defence Force’s Maritime Component Commander in 2016, commanding maritime force elements for 2 years, until being selected as the Chief of Defence Strategy Management.

Rear Admiral Gilmour was appointed Commander Joint Forces New Zealand in 2018 located in Wellington, where he currently serves, and is married to Shelley and father to Tom and Abigail.

U N I T E D S T A T E S A I R F O R C E

LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOSEPH T. GUASTELLA

Lt. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella, Jr. is Commander, U.S. AirForces Central Command, Southwest Asia. As the AirComponent Commander for U.S. Central Command, theGeneral is responsible for developing contingency plans andconducting air operations in a 20-nation area ofresponsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.

General Guastella entered the Air Force in 1987 as agraduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a commandpilot with more than 4,000 flight hours in the F-16 FightingFalcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II. He has served multiplecombat tours and flown combat missions in support ofoperations Just Cause and Desert Storm. He furtherinstructed at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School.General Guastella has commanded the 555th FighterSquadron, “Triple Nickel,” Aviano Air Base, Italy, the 20thFighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, andthe 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield,Afghanistan.

As a general officer, he served at the Pentagon as theDeputy Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief ofStaff for Strategic Plans and Programs. Following his

reassignment, he was selected as Commander of the 455th

Air Expeditionary Wing. He served as the Deputy Director of Requirements, Joint Staff and was subsequentlyassigned as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Intelligence, NATO. Most recently he served as the Director ofIntegrated Air, Space, Cyberspace and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations at HeadquartersAir Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colorado.

He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, National War College and the Senior Executive Fellowsprogram.

EDUCATION1987 Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1994 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.1997 Master of Science in Aero Science Technology, Embry Riddle University, Daytona Beach, Fla. 2001 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2006 Master of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. 2011 Senior Executive Fellows program, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge,Mass.

ASSIGNMENTS1. August 1987 - January 1989, student pilot, 80th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas 2. January 1989 - September 1989, F-16 initial training, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 1989 - May 1992, squadron electronic combat pilot and assistant weapons officer, 526th TacticalFighter Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany

4. May 1992 - May 1993, instructor pilot, assistant flight commander and assistant weapons officer, 35th FighterSquadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea 5. May 1993 - April 1994, standardization and evaluation flight examiner, 526th TFS, Ramstein AB, Germany 6. April 1994 - January 1995, standardization and evaluation flight examiner, 555th FS, Aviano AB, Italy 7. Jan 1995 - June 1995, student, fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev. 8. June 1995 - December 1996, squadron weapons and tactics officer and assistant wing weapons officer, 555th FS,Aviano AB, Italy 9. December 1996 - August 2000, Instructor, F-16 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev. 10. September 2000 - June 2001, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 11. June 2001 - August 2002, action officer, Joint Strike Fighter and Combat Identification Programs, HeadquartersAir Force, Directorate of Operational Requirements, Washington, D.C. 12. August 2002 - October 2003, operations officer, 555th FS, Aviano AB, Italy 13. October 2003 - July 2005, commander, 555th FS, Aviano AB, Italy 14. August 2005 - July 2006, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. 15. June 2006 - June 2007, U.S. CENTAF, (A3) forward and CAOC Director of Operations, Southwest Asia 16. June 2007 - August 2008, Deputy Director CAPSTONE, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair,Washington, D.C. 17. August 2008 - October 2008, vice commander, 20th FW, Shaw AFB, S.C. 18. October 2008 - June 2010, commander, 20th FW, Shaw AFB, S.C. 19. June 2010 - July 2011, Chief Program Integration Division, Directorate of Programs, DCS Strategic Plans andPrograms, the Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20. July 2011 - June 2012, Deputy Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans andPrograms, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. 21. July 2012 - July 2013, commander, 455th AEW, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan 22. July 2013 - July 2015, Deputy Director of Requirements (J8), Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. 23. July 2015 - July 2017, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Intelligence, SHAPE, Casteau Belgium 24. July 2017 - August 2018, Director of Integrated Air, Space, Cyberspace and Intelligence, Surveillance andReconnaissance Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. 25. August 2018 - present, Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Combined Forces Air ComponentCommander, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia.

FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: command pilot Flight hours: more than 4,000, including more than 1,000 combat Aircraft flown: F-16C/D, A-10C

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONSDefense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal with oak leaf clusterMeritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Medal with two silver and bronze oak leaf clustersAerial Achievement MedalAir Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit AwardMeritorious Unit AwardAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clustersAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardCombat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONSSecond Lieutenant May 27, 1987First Lieutenant May 27, 1989Captain May 27, 1991Major Nov. 1, 1998Lieutenant Colonel Feb. 1, 2003Colonel June 15, 2006Brigadier General Nov. 18, 2011Major General July 24, 2015Lieutenant General August 30, 2018

(Current as of December 2018)

Vice Admiral Colin J. Kilrain (USA N) Commander

VADM Kilrain is a native of Quincy, Massachusetts. He was commissioned in 1985 and completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1986. He is a graduate of Lehigh University and holds a Master of Science degree in National Resources Strategy and Management from the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. He is also a graduate from the Defense Language Institute where he studied German and Spanish. Kilrain’s operational assignments have included a full range of duties in Naval Special Warfare, Joint Special Operations Command; as well as, Personal Exchange Program with the German Navy Kampfschwimmer

Kompanie (SEALS) in Eckernförde, Germany. He commanded Naval Special Warfare Unit Four in Puerto Rico, SEAL Team Four, Naval Special Warfare Group Two in Virginia, and Special Operations Command, Pacific in Hawaii. His service overseas includes numerous deployments spanning across five continents in support of contingency and named operations. His staff assignments include duty as Operations Officer for SOCSOUTH in Panama; Operations Officer for State Department's Office of Counterterrorism; Executive Office of the President at the White House, where he served on the National Security Council as Director of Strategy and Policy for the Office of Combating Terrorism; and as Senior Defense Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico. Kilrain began his current tour as Commander, NATO Special Operations Headquarters in July 2016. He is married with four children.

Vice Admiral Ross A. Myers

Deputy Commander United States Cyber Command

Vice Adm. Ross A. Myers is a native of Garden City,

Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State University with a

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, the University of

Kansas with a Master of Business Administration, and the

National War College with a Master of Science in

National Security Strategy.

Myers, a career carrier naval aviator, has commanded at all

levels of naval aviation including squadron, fleet

replacement squadron, air wing, and carrier strike group

and while a west coast Sailor has been stationed twice with

Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Atsugi, Japan,

including as Commander, Carrier Air Wing FIVE. He has

flown over 4,600 hours in more than 17 different types of aircraft and over 1,000

arrested landings on 15 different aircraft carriers.

Shore and staff tours include: flag aide for Commander in Chief Allied Forces

Southern Europe in Naples, Italy, and Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces,

Europe in London, England; joint assessments analyst and executive assistant for the

deputy chief of naval operations (resources, warfare requirements, and assessments)

N81; deputy executive assistant to the chief of naval operations.

Joint assignments include: assistant deputy director for Global Operations, Joint Staff

(J39); executive assistant to vice chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. As a flag officer,

Myers served as vice deputy director for Nuclear, Homeland Defense and Current

Operations, Joint Staff (J33); director of Plans and Policy (J5) at Headquarters, U.S.

Cyber Command; chief of staff at Headquarters, U.S. Cyber Command.

Myers became the Deputy Commander at Headquarters, U.S. Cyber Command in May

2019.

Myers has served on teams awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, the Navy Unit

Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Battle Efficiency “E” Awards.

Updated: 1 June 2019

Lieutenant General James E. Rainey

Commanding General, Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan

Deputy Chief of Staff Security Assistance, Headquarters RESOLUTE SUPPORT

On 12 October 2018, Lieutenant General Rainey assumed command of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) and the position of Deputy Chief of Staff Security Assistance (DCOS SA), Headquarters RESOLUTE SUPPORT. Prior to assuming command of CSTC-A, Lieutenant General Rainey was the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Headquarters Department of the Army. Lieutenant General Rainey graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1987 and was commissioned as an

Infantry Officer. Lieutenant General Rainey has served since in a variety of command and leadership positions

from platoon leader to division commander. As a Lieutenant, Maj. Gen. Rainey served as a Platoon Leader

and Company Executive Officer in the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division

and later as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Following the Infantry Advanced Course, he commanded the Long Range Surveillance Detachment in the First

Cavalry Division and Hotel Company, 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard). He later served as the

Executive Officer of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and commanded Task Force 2-7 CAV

in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. He returned to Iraq in support of OPERATION IRAQI

FREEDOM as the commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. Following

Brigade Command, Lieutenant General Rainey assumed responsibility as the Director of the Mission

Command Center of Excellence. He then served as the Deputy Commanding General of 4th Infantry Division

and Regional Command-South, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan, and returned to Fort

Benning to serve as the Infantry School Commandant and Chief of Infantry at the Maneuver Center of

Excellence. Lieutenant General Rainey was the 3rd Infantry Division Commander and served as Deputy

Commanding General-Support United States Forces – Afghanistan, Commander Bagram Airfield, and

Commander, Joint Task Force-3 in support of OPERATION FREEDOM SENTINEL.

Lieutenant General Rainey has served in key staff assignments including Joint Chiefs of Staff Intern in

Washington, D.C.; Chief of Plans for the 2nd Infantry Division and Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 9th

Cavalry Regiment; Executive Officer to the III Corps Commander; G-3 Operations Officer in the V Corps

Assault Command Post in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; Chief of War on Terror Plans for U.S.

European Command; G-3 of the 4th Infantry Division and the Multi-National Division-Baghdad in support of

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

Lieutenant General Rainey’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (three oak leaf clusters),

Bronze Star (six oak leaf clusters), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three oak

leaf clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Presidential Unit Citation, Joint

Service Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Senior Parachutist

Badge, Ranger Tab, and Joint Chief of Staff Identification Badge.

He graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. He earned his

Master’s Degrees in Advanced Military Arts and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, and in

Public Administration from Troy University. He was also a Senior Service Fellow from the Korbel School of

International Relations, Denver University.

U N I T E D S T A T E S A I R F O R C E

LIEUTENANT GENERAL MARC H. SASSEVILLE Lieutenant General Marc H. Sasseville is the Commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. As the Combined Force Air Component Commander for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Joint Force Air Component Commander for U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), he oversees three distinct missions: homeland air defense for the continental United States, aerial support of civil authorities, and theater security cooperation for North America. Additionally, 1 AF ensures the operational readiness of assigned, aligned, or gained forces for homeland defense, defense support for civil authorities, and world-wide Air Expeditionary Forces missions.

Prior to assuming his current assignment, Lt. Gen Sasseville was the Deputy Director, Air National Guard, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Lt. Gen. Sasseville graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in international affairs. Following pilot and aircraft training, he served in various operational units in U.S. Air Forces Europe, Tactical Air Command/Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces. After his last active duty assignment, he joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard. He has held squadron, group and wing command. He also served as the Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to Turkey.

EDUCATION 1985 Bachelor of Science, international affairs, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1991 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. 1991 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 1996 Master of Science, aeronautical science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. 1997 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence 2004 Air War College, by correspondence 2006 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education–Reserve Component, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. 2007 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. 2009 Joint Task Force Commanders Course, Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo. 2012 National Security Studies Management Course, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y. 2015 Capstone General and Flag Officer Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. 2015 Senior Executive Seminar, George C. Marshall Center, Garmish, Germany 2016 Advanced Senior Leader Development Program, Council for Logistics Research, Warrenton, Va. 2017 Fellow, Senior Executives in National and International Security, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 2017 Combined Force Air Component Commanders Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2018 Joint Flag Warfighting Officer Course, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS 1. June 1985-June 1986, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus AFB, Miss. 2. June 1986-August 1986, Lead-In Fighter Training, 479th Tactical Training Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M. 3. August 1986-March 1987, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, 72nd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla. 4. April 1987-April 1989, Tactical Fighter Pilot, F-16, 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Torrejon Air Base, Spain 5. May 1989-October 1991, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Homestead AFB, Fla. 6. November 1991-June 1992, Standardization and Evaluation Flight Examiner, 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Homestead AFB, Fla. 7. June 1992-October 1992, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 309th Fighter Squadron, Homestead AFB, Fla. 8. October 1992–February 1995, F-16 Pilot, A-Flight Commander, 13th Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan 9. February 1995–July 1995, Chief, Wing Standardization and Evaluation, 35th Operations Group, Misawa AB,

Japan 10. July 1995–February 1996, Chief, F-16C Block 50 Test Operations and F-16C Instructor Pilot, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 11. March 1996–September 1997, Chief, Wing Weapons and Tactics, 57th Operations Support Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 12. September 1997–May 1998, Assistant Operations Officer, F-16C/D Instructor Pilot, 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea 13. June 1998–May 1999, F-16 Instructor Pilot/F-22 Program Manager, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 14. May 1999–March 2001, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, F-16C Instructor Pilot, 113th Operations Support Flight, Washington, District of Columbia Air National Guard, Andrews AFB, Md. 15. March 2001–June 2002, Director of Operations, 121st Fighter Squadron, Washington, District of Columbia Air National Guard, Andrews AFB, Md. 16. July 2002–March 2005, Commander, 121st Fighter Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. 17. April 2005–March 2008, Commander, 113th Operations Group, Washington, District of Columbia Air National Guard, Andrews AFB, Md. 18. March 2008–July 2010, Vice Wing Commander, 113th Wing, Washington, District of Columbia Air National Guard, Andrews AFB, Md. 19. July 2010–July 2012, Deputy Director for Readiness, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Washington, D.C. 20. July 2012–March 2014, Commander, 113th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md. 21. March 2014–June 2016, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché, Turkey 22. June 2016–January 2017, Special Assistant to the Director, Air National Guard for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (A-3), Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. 23. January 2017–June 2019, Deputy Director, Air National Guard, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.

24. June 2019–Present, Commander, 1 AF (Air Force Northern) and Commander, U.S. Continental, U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Tyndall AFB, Fla.

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2010–July 2012, Deputy Director for Readiness, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Washington, D.C., as a colonel 2. March 2014–June 2016, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché, Turkey, as a brigadier general FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: command pilot Flight Hours: more than 3,300 Aircraft Flown: T-41, T-37, T-38, F16, B-747, B-727, C-38 MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Medal with oak leaf cluster Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster Joint Meritorious Unit Award Combat Readiness Medal PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS Air Force Association, Lifetime Member National Guard Association of the United States and District of Columbia Order of the Daedalians EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 29, 1985 First Lieutenant May 29, 1987 Captain May 29, 1989 Major Jan. 1, 1997 Lieutenant Colonel Jan. 18, 2001 Colonel April 21, 2005 Brigadier General Aug. 3, 2012 Major General June 22, 2016 Lieutenant General June 18, 2019 (Current as of July 2019)

U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele J. Sison

Ambassador Michele Sison was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Haiti on February 12, 2018. She served as U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations (2014-2018), U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives (2012-2014), U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon (2008-2010), and U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (2004-2008). She began her diplomatic career in Haiti in 1982, serving as the human rights officer at Embassy Port au Prince.

Ambassador Sison’s diplomatic assignments also include Assistant Chief of Mission in Baghdad, Iraq; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs; Deputy Chief of Mission in Islamabad, Pakistan; Consul General in Chennai, India; and tours in Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Benin, and Togo. She also served as the State Department’s Director of Career Development and Assignments. Ambassador Sison is the recipient of the U.S. Presidential Distinguished Service Award, U.S. Presidential Meritorious Service Award, and the U.S. Department of the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. She also holds numerous U.S. Department of State awards, including Superior Honor Awards and Ambassadorial-level awards for her contributions to counter-proliferation (2008) and combatting trafficking in persons (2005). Ambassador Sison holds the rank of Career Ambassador.

U N I T E D S T A T E S A I R F O R C E

LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES C. "JIM" SLIFE

Lt. Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife is the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida. The command is the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command. AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to unified combatant commanders. The command has approximately 20,800 active-duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian professionals.

Lt. Gen. Slife was born outside of Detroit and grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was commissioned through the ROTC program at Auburn University and has spent the majority of his career in special operations aviation assignments, deploying extensively.

EDUCATION1989 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, Auburn University, Ala.1995 Master of Aerospace Science, Aeronautics, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.1997 Master of Administrative Science, Organizational Management, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.1997 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.2001 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.2001 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AFB, Ala., by correspondence2002 School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.2006 Joint Forces Staff College, Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Va.2007 Senior Developmental Education, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow—Microsoft Corporation, Reston, Va.

ASSIGNMENTS1. March 1990 - November 1990, Helicopter Student Pilot, 3588th Flying Training Squadron, Fort Rucker, Ala.2. December 1990 - October 1991, UH-1H Instructor Pilot, 3588th FTS, Fort Rucker, Ala.3. November 1991 - June 1992, MH-53J Student Pilot, 1550th Technical Combat Helicopter Training Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.4. July 1992 - July 1995, MH-53J Instructor Pilot, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

5. August 1995 - May 1997, Air Force Intern, Office of the Director, Air Force Legislative Liaison and Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations, and the Environment, Arlington, Va.6. June 1997 - August 1997, MH-53J Requalification Student, Kirtland AFB, N.M.7. September 1997 - July 2000, Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations and Flight Examiner Pilot, 21st SOS, RAF Mildenhall, U.K.8. August 2000 - June 2001, Air Command and Staff College Student, Maxwell AFB, Ala.9. July 2001 - June 2002, School of Advanced Airpower Studies Student, Maxwell AFB, Ala.10. June 2002 - June 2004, Director of Operations, 20th SOS, Hurlburt Field, Fla.(December 2003 - March 2004, Commander, Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment-Arabian Peninsula)11. June 2004 - February 2006, Commander, 21st SOS, RAF Mildenhall, U.K.(October 2004 - February 2005, Commander, Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment-Arabian Peninsula)12. February 2006 - July 2006, Deputy Commander, 352nd Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, U.K.13. July 2006 - June 2007, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, Microsoft Corporation, Reston, Va.14. June 2007 - June 2009, Director, Emerging Capabilities Division, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics), Arlington, Va.15. July 2009 - March 2010, Senior Program Analyst, Irregular Warfare Division, Office of the Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Washington, D.C.16. March 2010 - June 2011, Commander, 27th SOG, Cannon AFB, N.M.(March 2011 - May 2011, Commander, Joint Special Operations Aviation Detachment-Afghanistan)17. June 2011 - July 2013, Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.18. July 2013 - November 2013, Special Assistant to the Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.19. November 2013 - May 2014, Deputy Director, Special Plans Working Group, U.S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.20. May 2014 - August 2015, Vice Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, CENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Fla.21. August 2015 - June 2017, Chief of Staff, U.N. Command and U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, South Korea22. June 2017 - June 2018, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.23. July 2018 - June 2019, Vice Commander, Headquarters, SOCOM, Washington, D.C.24. June 2019 - present, Commander, Headquarters AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS1. June 2007 - June 2009, Director, Emerging Capabilities Division, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics), Arlington, Va., as a colonel2. July 2009 - March 2010, Senior Program Analyst, Irregular Warfare Division, Office of the Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Washington, D.C., as a colonel3. November 2013 - May 2014, Deputy Director, Special Plans Working Group, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., as a brigadier general4. May 2014 - August 2015, Vice Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, CENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Fla., as a brigadier general5. August 2015 - June 2017, Chief of Staff, U.N. Command and U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, South Korea, as a major general6. June 2017 - June 2018, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla., as a major general7. July 2018 - June 2019, Vice Commander, Headquarters, SOCOM, Washington, D.C., as a lieutenant general

FLIGHT INFORMATIONRating: command pilotFlight hours: more than 3,100Aircraft flown: MH-53, MQ-1, and others

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONSDefense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Combat Action Medal

OTHER AWARDS AND HONORS1998 Air Force Special Operations Command Pilot of the Year2002 Air Force Historical Foundation Writing Award - Best SAAS Thesis, “Creech Blue: General Bill Creech and the reformation of the tactical Air Forces, 1978-1984”2008 Major General John R. Alison Special Operations Educator of the Year

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONSecond Lieutenant June 9, 1989First Lieutenant Oct. 20, 1991Captain Oct. 20, 1993Major July1, 1999Lieutenant Colonel March 2002Colonel March 1, 2006Brigadier General July 12, 2013Major General May 2, 2016Lieutenant General June 29, 2018

(Current as of June 2019)

Lieutenant General George W. Smith, Jr. Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations

Lieutenant General Smith was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 1985.

A career infantry officer, his assignments in the operating forces include Rifle Platoon Commander and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander in 2d Battalion, 1st Marines; Logistics Officer and Rifle Company Commander in 1st Battalion, 3d Marines; and Commanding Officer, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, during which he deployed twice in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Other assignments include Series and Company Commander, MCRD, San Diego and Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General; Inspector-Instructor, 4th Force Reconnaissance Company; Future Operations Planner, I Marine Expeditionary Force G-3 and G-5; and Deputy Operations Officer, 1st Marine Division. He also served consecutively as Military Assistant to the Assistant Commandant and Military Secretary to the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

From 2007 to 2010, Lieutenant General Smith served as the Commanding Officer, The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia.

As a General Officer, he served as Commanding General, MAGTF Training Command/Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California; Deputy Commander, Regional Command Southwest in Helmand Province, Afghanistan; Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia; Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Quantico, Virginia, Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, U. S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, Florida, and most recently as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He assumed his current duties as Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations in August 2019.

Lieutenant General Smith graduated with honors from: The Basic School, the U.S. Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course where he was the Distinguished Honor Graduate for Class 2-92; Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the School of Advanced Warfighting where he was the recipient of the General Clifton B. Cates Award, and the Marine Corps War College. He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

He has been privileged to serve in commands that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

HEADQUARTERS

UNITED STATES AFRICA COMMAND STUTTGART, GERMANY

Lieutenant General James C. Vechery

U.S. Air Force Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations

Lieutenant General James C. Vechery is U.S. Africa

Command’s Deputy to the Commander for Military

Operations. He is responsible to the Commander for

assisting the Command as they promote the national

security interests of the United States by working with

partners to disrupt and neutralize transnational threats,

protect U.S. personnel and facilities, prevent and

mitigate conflict, and build African partner defense

capability and capacity in order to promote regional

security, stability, and prosperity.

Lieutenant General Vechery has held command

positions at the squadron level and twice at the wing

level. He has extensive operational flying experience,

including several deployments supporting Operations

Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Southern Watch and

Northern Watch. His staff assignments include serving as the Major Command Regional

Director of Operations, Tanker Airlift Control Center; Chief of Airlift Manning,

Headquarters Air Mobility Command; Programmer for C-5 Mobility Forces, Headquarters

U.S. Air Force; Chief, Global Force Management Operations, Chief Air Force Legislative

Affairs, United States Transportation Command; Deputy Director of Operations, and

Deputy Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements, and Programs at Headquarters Air

Mobility Command; Director for Logistics, U.S. Africa Command; and Director,

Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans, Programs

and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

Lieutenant General Vechery was commissioned in 1988 as a distinguished graduate from

Air Force ROTC following his graduation from the University of Maryland. He obtained

a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development, Webster University, and is a

graduate from the Air War College, the Joint Combined Warfighting School, and various

other executive education courses.