# Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force

The Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force is the second senior-most chaplain in the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps, holding the rank of brigadier general, and acting as principal deputy to the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force.

## Air Force Chaplains

Official Air Force instructions task chaplains with providing "spiritual care and the opportunity for Airmen, their families, and other authorized personnel to exercise their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion." This goal is accomplished through "religious observances, providing pastoral care, and advising leadership on spiritual, ethical, moral, morale, core values," in addition to additional religious accommodation issues that have already been identified or might arise in the future.
Additionally, "Chaplain Corps personnel conduct needs assessment based upon the commander’s mission requirements in order to plan and execute religious programs."

## Armed Forces Chaplains Board

As the active duty Deputy Chief of Chaplains for the Air Force, the man or woman holding this position is one of the six chaplains (Chiefs of Chaplains and active duty Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains of the Army, Navy, and Air Force) who together comprise the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, advising the Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness on matters affecting military personnel throughout the U.S. military services.

## U.S. Air Force Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains

| | Name | Term began | Term ended |
| 1. | Col Peter A. Dunn | July 1949 | August 1950 |
| 2. | Brig Gen Augustus F. Gearhard | September 1950 | August 1953 |
| 3. | Brig Gen Terence P. Finnegan | August 1953 | August 1958 |
| 4. | Brig Gen Robert P. Taylor | August 1958 | September 1962 |
| 5. | Brig Gen Edwin R. Chess | September 1962 | July 1966 |
| 6. | Brig Gen William Leon Clark | August 1966 | February 1969 |
| 7. | Brig Gen Roy M. Terry | March 1969 | July 1970 |
| 8. | Brig Gen John F. Albert | August 1970 | July 1972 |
| 9. | Brig Gen Henry J. Meade | August 1972 | July 1974 |
| 10. | Brig Gen Thomas M. Groome Jr. | August 1974 | July 1976 |
| 11. | Brig Gen Richard Carr | August 1976 | July 1978 |
| 12. | Brig Gen Jeremiah J. Rodell | August 1978 | July 1980 |
| 13. | Brig Gen John A. Collins | August 1980 | July 1982 |
| 14. | Brig Gen Stuart E. Barstad | August 1982 | November 1985 |
| 15. | Brig Gen John P. McDonough | 1985 | 1988 |
| 16. | Brig Gen Donald J. Harlin | 1988 | 1991 |
| 17. | Brig Gen Arthur S. Thomas | 1991 | 1995 |
| 18. | Brig Gen William J. Dendinger | 1995 | 1997 |
| 19. | Brig Gen Hiram "Doc" Jones | 1997 | 1999 |
| 20. | Brig Gen Lorraine K. Potter | 1999 | 2001 |
| 21. | Brig Gen Charles C. Baldwin | 2001 | April 2004 |
| 22. | Brig Gen Cecil Richardson | April 2004 | May 2008 |
| 23. | Brig Gen David H. Cyr | 2008 | 2011 |
| 24. | Brig Gen Howard D. Stendahl | 2008 | 2012 |
| 25. | Brig Gen Bobby V. Page | 2 August 2012 | September 2015 |
| 26. | Brig Gen Steven A. Schaick | September 2015 | August 2018 |
| 27. | Brig Gen Ronald M. Harvell | August 2018 | August 2020 |
| 28. | Brig Gen Randall E. Kitchens | August 2020 | October 2021 |
| 29. | Brig Gen James D. Brantingham | December 2021 | January 2023 |
| 30. | Brig Gen Trent C. Davis | 5 December 2023 | 9 August 2024 |
| 31. | Brig Gen David W. Kelley | 9 August 2024 | Incumbent |