# List of United States Air Force four-star generals

The rank of general (or full general, or four-star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the United States Air Force. It ranks above lieutenant general (three-star general) and below general of the Air Force (five-star general).
There have been 237 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Air Force. Of these, 233 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: 63 were commissioned via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), 49 via the aviation cadet program, 47 via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 44 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 13 via AFROTC at a senior military college, nine via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), four via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), four via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, two via direct commission (direct), one via direct commission inter-service transfer from the Army National Guard (ARNG), and one via direct commission inter-service transfer from 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 (years of birth and death are shown in parentheses in the Notes column).
| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
| 1 | Henry H. Arnold | 19 Mar 1943 | Commanding General, Army Air Forces (CG AAF), 1942–1944. Commanding General, Army Air Forces/Commanding General, Twentieth Air Force (CG AAF), 1944–1945. | 1 | 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 Materiel Command (CG AMC), 1947–1949. Chairman, Department of Defense Management Committee, 1949–1952. | 7 | 1915 (USMA) | 30 | (1893–1972) |
| 3 | George C. 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. Deputy to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces for Special Organizational Planning, 1945–1946. 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 S. 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 E. 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), 1957–1960. Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (CINCSAC), 1960–1964. | 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 | (1906–1971) |
| 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 Jr. | 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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (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 | (1916–2016) |
| 56 | John C. Meyer | 31 Jul 1969 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1969–1972. Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (CINCSAC), 1974–1977. Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 1977. | 5 | 1943 (cadet) | 29 | (1920–2007) Executive Director, Air Force Association, 1980–1986. 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 | George J. Eade | 18 Apr 1973 | Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1973–1975. | 2 | 1942 (cadet) | 31 | (1921–2018) |
| 66 | 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. |
| 67 | 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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (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. |
| 68 | Robert J. Dixon | 1 Oct 1973 | Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1973–1978. | 5 | 1942 (RCAF) | 31 | (1920–2003) |
| 69 | Timothy F. O'Keefe | 8 Oct 1973 | Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1973–1974. | 1 | 1940 (cadet) | 33 | (1919–1984) |
| 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 | (1922–2022) |
| 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. Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 1977–1978. | 3 | 1943 (cadet) | 32 | (1920–1978) First African-American to achieve four-star rank in any service. |
| 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 Jr. | 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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (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 | (1925–2016) |
| 89 | Robert C. Mathis | 1 Mar 1980 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1980–1982. | 2 | 1948 (USMA) | 32 | (1927–2016) |
| 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 | (1929–2020) |
| 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 | (1925–2017) |
| 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 | (1928–2024) |
| 94 | James P. Mullins | 1 Aug 1981 | Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1981–1984. | 3 | 1949 (cadet) | 32 | (born 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 | (born 1927) |
| 99 | James E. Dalton | 1 Aug 1983 | Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1983–1985. | 2 | 1954 (USMA) | 29 | (1930–2024) |
| 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 | (1928–2018) |
| 101 | Larry D. Welch | 1 Aug 1984 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1984–1985. Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (CINCSAC), 1985–1986. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1986–1990. | 6 | 1953 (cadet) | 31 | (born 1934) President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1990–2003, 2006–2009. |
| 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 (VJCS), 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) Executive Director, Air Force Association, 1988–1989. |
| 105 | Earl T. O'Loughlin | 1 Nov 1984 | Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1984–1987. | 3 | 1952 (cadet) | 32 | (1930–2023) |
| * | James H. 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/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (CINCSAC), 1986–1991. | 6 | 1956 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1934–2021) 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 | (born 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 | (1933–2016) |
| 110 | Robert H. Reed | 1 Jul 1986 | Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1986–1988. | 2 | 1953 (cadet) | 33 | (1929–2017) |
| 111 | Thomas C. Richards | 1 Dec 1986 | Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1986–1989. | 3 | 1956 (VPI) | 30 | (1930–2020) 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 | (born 1931) |
| 113 | Monroe W. Hatch Jr. | 29 Jan 1987 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1987–1990. | 3 | 1951 (USNA) | 36 | (born 1933) Executive Director, Air Force Association, 1990–1995. |
| 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 | (1932–2017) |
| 115 | Bernard P. Randolph | 1 Aug 1987 | Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1987–1990. | 3 | 1956 (cadet) | 31 | (1933–2021) |
| 116 | Alfred G. Hansen | 1 Aug 1987 | Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC), 1987–1989. | 2 | 1955 (cadet) | 32 | (born 1933) |
| 117 | John A. Shaud | 1 Jul 1988 | Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1988–1991. | 3 | 1956 (USMA) | 32 | (born 1933) Executive Director, Air Force Association, 1995–2002. |
| 118 | Merrill A. 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 | (born 1936) Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 2010–2018. |
| 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. Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, 1990–1991. | 2 | 1958 (USMA) | 31 | (born 1937) Relieved as chief of staff, 1990. |
| 120 | James P. McCarthy | 1 Oct 1989 | Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1989–1992. | 3 | 1957 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (1933–2017) |
| 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 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (born 1936) |
| 127 | George L. Butler | 25 Jan 1991 | Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command/Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (CINCSAC), 1991–1992. Commander in Chief, U.S. Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT), 1992–1994. | 3 | 1961 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1939) |
| 128 | Jimmie V. Adams | 13 Feb 1991 | Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1991–1993. | 2 | 1958 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1936) |
| 129 | Michael P. C. Carns | 16 May 1991 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1991–1994. | 3 | 1959 (USAFA) | 32 | (1937–2023) |
| 130 | James B. Davis | 24 Jul 1991 | Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE), 1991–1993. | 2 | 1958 (USNA) | 33 | (born 1935) |
| 131 | Chuck A. 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 | (born 1936) |
| 132 | Ronald R. 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 | (born 1942) |
| 133 | Charles G. Boyd | 1 Dec 1992 | Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 1992–1995. | 3 | 1960 (cadet) | 32 | (1938–2022) |
| 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 | (born 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 | (1940–2020) |
| 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 | (born 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 | (born 1940) |
| 139 | John G. Lorber | 12 Oct 1994 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1994–1997. | 3 | 1964 (USAFA) | 30 | (1941–2021) |
| 140 | Billy J. Boles | 1 Jul 1995 | Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 1995–1997. | 2 | 1962 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1938–2021) |
| 141 | Joseph W. Ralston | 1 Jul 1995 | Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1995–1996. Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VJCS), 1996–2000. Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR), 2000–2003. | 8 | 1965 (AFROTC) | 30 | (born 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 | (born 1942) |
| 143 | Eugene E. Habiger | 1 Mar 1996 | Commander in Chief, U.S. Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT), 1996–1998. | 2 | 1963 (OTS) | 33 | (1939–2022) 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 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (1941–2024) 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 | (born 1942) |
| 148 | George T. Babbitt Jr. | 1 Jun 1997 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 1997–2000. | 3 | 1965 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1942) Director, Defense Logistics Agency, 1996–1997. |
| 149 | Ralph E. 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 | (born 1946) |
| 150 | Richard B. 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 (VJCS), 2000–2001. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 2001–2005. | 8 | 1965 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1942) President, Kansas State University, 2016–2022. 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 | (1946–2020) 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 | (born 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 | (born 1946) |
| 154 | Patrick K. Gamble | 1 Oct 1998 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces (COMPACAF), 1998–2001. | 3 | 1967 (Texas A&M) | 31 | (born 1945) President, University of Alaska System, 2010–2015. |
| * | 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 L. 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 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (born 1944) |
| 158 | Hal M. Hornburg | 1 Aug 2000 | Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2000–2001. Commander, Air Combat Command/Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command (COMACC/AIRUSJFCOM), 2001–2002. Commander, Air Combat Command/Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command and U.S. Northern Command (COMACC/AIRUSJFCOM-USNORTHCOM), 2002–2004. | 4 | 1968 (Texas A&M) | 32 | (born 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 | (born 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/AIRCINCUSPACOM), 2001–2002. Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACOM), 2002–2004. | 3 | 1968 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (born 1946) |
| 163 | Lance W. Lord | 19 Apr 2002 | Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2002–2006. | 4 | 1968 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1946) |
| 164 | Charles F. Wald | 1 Jan 2003 | Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCINCEUR), 2002–2006. | 4 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 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 | (born 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/AIRCDRUSPACOM), 2004–2007. | 3 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 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 | (born 1945) Director, National Security Agency, 1999–2005. |
| 168 | Ronald E. Keys | 27 May 2005 | Commander, Air Combat Command/Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command and U.S. Northern Command (COMACC/AIRUSJFCOM-USNORTHCOM), 2005–2007. | 2 | 1967 (AFROTC) | 38 | (born 1945) |
| 169 | William R. Looney III | 1 Aug 2005 | Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2005–2008. | 3 | 1972 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 1949) |
| 170 | Bruce A. Carlson | 1 Sep 2005 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2005–2008. | 3 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1949) Director, National Reconnaissance Office, 2009–2012. |
| 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 | (born 1951) President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 2020–present. |
| 172 | John D. W. Corley | 1 Nov 2005 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2005–2007. Commander, Air Combat Command/Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command (COMACC/AIRUSJFCOM), 2007–2009. | 4 | 1973 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 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 | (born 1946) |
| 174 | Duncan J. 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 | (born 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. | 1 | 1969 (OTS) | 37 | (born 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 | (born 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 | (born 1949) |
| 178 | Arthur J. Lichte | 7 Sep 2007 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2007–2009. | 2 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 36 | (born 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 | (born 1952) |
| 180 | Carrol H. Chandler | 30 Nov 2007 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2007–2009. Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2009–2011. | 4 | 1974 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 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 | (born 1946) |
| 182 | Stephen R. Lorenz | 2 Jul 2008 | Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2008–2010. | 2 | 1973 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1951) |
| 183 | William M. Fraser III | 9 Oct 2008 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2008–2009. Commander, Air Combat Command/Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command (COMACC/AIRUSJFCOM), 2009–2011. Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2011. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2011–2014. | 6 | 1974 (Texas A&M) | 34 | (born 1952) |
| 184 | Craig R. McKinley | 17 Nov 2008 | Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB), 2008–2012. | 4 | 1974 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1952) President, Air Force Association, 2012–2015. First National Guard officer to achieve the rank of general. |
| 185 | Donald J. Hoffman | 21 Nov 2008 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2008–2012. | 4 | 1974 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1952) |
| 186 | Douglas M. Fraser | 25 Jun 2009 | Commander, U.S. Southern Command (CDRUSSOUTHCOM), 2009–2012. | 3 | 1975 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 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/AIRCDRUSPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2009–2012. | 3 | 1976 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1954) |
| 188 | Raymond E. Johns Jr. | 20 Nov 2009 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2009–2012. | 3 | 1977 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1954) |
| 189 | Edward A. Rice Jr. | 17 Nov 2010 | Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2010–2013. | 3 | 1978 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 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), 2012–2016. | 6 | 1976 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1953) Dean, Bush School of Government and Public Service, 2016–2023; President, Texas A&M University, 2023–present. |
| 191 | William L. Shelton | 5 Jan 2011 | Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2011–2014. | 3 | 1976 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1954) |
| 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. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa/Commander, Allied Air Command/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/AIRCOM/DIRJAPCC), 2013. Commander, U.S. European Command/Supreme Allied Commander Europe (CDRUSEUCOM/SACEUR), 2013–2016. | 5 | 1977 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1955) |
| 193 | Gilmary M. Hostage III | 13 Sep 2011 | Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2011–2014. | 3 | 1977 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1955) |
| 194 | Janet C. Wolfenbarger | 5 Jun 2012 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2012–2015. | 3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 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 | (born 1954) President, Air Force Association, 2015–2019. 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/AIRCDRUSPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2012–2014. Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2014–2017. | 5 | 1978 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 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 (VJCS), 2015–2019. | 7 | 1980 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1958) |
| 198 | Frank Gorenc | 2 Aug 2013 | Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa/Commander, Allied Air Command/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/AIRCOM/DIRJAPCC), 2013–2016. | 3 | 1979 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1957) |
| 199 | Robin Rand | 10 Oct 2013 | Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2013–2015. Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command (COMAFGSC), 2015–2017. Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command/Commander, Air Forces Strategic- Air, U.S. Strategic Command (COMAFGSC/COMAFSTRATAIR), 2017–2018. | 5 | 1979 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1958) |
| 200 | Darren W. McDew | 5 May 2014 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2014–2015. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2015–2018. | 4 | 1982 (VMI) | 32 | (born 1960) |
| 201 | John E. Hyten | 15 Aug 2014 | Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2014–2016. Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (CDRUSSTRATCOM), 2016–2019. Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (VJCS), 2019–2021. | 7 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 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/AIRCDRUSPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2014–2016. Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2016–2018. | 4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1959) First woman in any service to lead a unified combatant command. |
| 203 | Ellen M. Pawlikowski | 8 Jun 2015 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1978 (AFROTC) | 37 | (born 1956) |
| 204 | Carlton D. Everhart II | 11 Aug 2015 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1983 (Virginia Tech) | 32 | (born 1961) |
| 205 | David L. Goldfein | 17 Aug 2015 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2015–2016. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2016–2020. | 5 | 1983 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1959) |
| 206 | Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy | 12 Jul 2016 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2016–2018. Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2018–2020. | 4 | 1986 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1964) |
| 207 | Stephen W. Wilson | 22 Jul 2016 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2016–2020. | 4 | 1981 (Texas A&M) | 35 | (born 1959/1960) |
| 208 | Joseph L. Lengyel | 3 Aug 2016 | Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB), 2016–2020. | 4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 35 | (born 1959) |
| 209 | Tod D. Wolters | 11 Aug 2016 | Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa/Commander, Allied Air Command/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/AIRCOM/DIRJAPCC), 2016–2019. Commander, U.S. European Command/Supreme Allied Commander Europe (CDRUSEUCOM/SACEUR), 2019–2022. | 6 | 1982 (USAFA) | 34 | (born c. 1961) |
| 210 | John W. Raymond | 25 Oct 2016 | Commander, Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC), 2016–2017. Commander, Air Force Space Command/Joint Force Space Component Commander (COMAFSPC/JFSCC), 2017–2019. Commander, U.S. Space Command/Commander, Air Force Space Command (CDRUSSPACECOM/COMAFSPC), 2019. | 3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1962) Chief of Space Operations, 2019–2022. |
| 211 | James M. Holmes | 10 Mar 2017 | Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2017–2020. | 3 | 1981 (OTS) | 36 | (born 1957) |
| 212 | Charles Q. Brown Jr. | 26 Jul 2018 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSINDOPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2018–2020. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2020–2023. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 2023–2025. | 7 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1962) Relieved, 2025. |
| 213 | Timothy M. Ray | 21 Aug 2018 | Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command/Commander, Air Forces Strategic- Air, U.S. Strategic Command (COMAFGSC/COMAFSTRATAIR), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 1963) |
| 214 | Maryanne Miller | 7 Sep 2018 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2018–2020. | 2 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 37 | (born 1961) First Air Force Reserve officer to achieve the rank of general. |
| 215 | Jeffrey L. Harrigian | 1 May 2019 | Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa/Commander, Allied Air Command/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/AIRCOM/DIRJAPCC), 2019. Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa/Commander, Allied Air Command/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/AIRCOM/DIRJAPCC), 2019–2022. | 3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 34 | (born c. 1962) |
| 216 | Arnold W. Bunch Jr. | 31 May 2019 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2019–2022. | 3 | 1984 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1962) |
| 217 | Kenneth S. Wilsbach | 8 Jul 2020 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSINDOPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2020–2024. Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2024–present. | 5 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 35 | (born c. 1963) |
| 218 | Glen D. VanHerck | 20 Aug 2020 | Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1962) |
| 219 | Jacqueline D. Van Ovost | 20 Aug 2020 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2020–2021. Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2021–2024. | 4 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1965) |
| 220 | Mark D. Kelly | 28 Aug 2020 | Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born c. 1962) |
| 221 | David W. Allvin | 12 Nov 2020 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2020–2023. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2023–present. | 5 | 1986 (USAFA) | 34 | (born c. 1963) |
| 222 | Anthony J. Cotton | 27 Aug 2021 | Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command/Commander, Air Forces Strategic- Air, U.S. Strategic Command (COMAFGSC/COMAFSTRATAIR), 2021–2022. Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (CDRUSSTRATCOM), 2022–present. | 4 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 35 | |
| 223 | Michael A. Minihan | 5 Oct 2021 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born c. 1967) |
| 224 | Duke Z. Richardson | 13 Jun 2022 | Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2022–present. | 3 | 1989 (OTS) | 33 | (born c. 1964) |
| 225 | James B. Hecker | 27 Jun 2022 | Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa/Commander, Allied Air Command/Director, Joint Air Power Competence Center (COMUSAFE/COMAFAFRICA/AIRCOM/DIRJAPCC), 2022–present. | 3 | 1989 (USAFA) | 33 | |
| 226 | Thomas A. Bussiere | 7 Dec 2022 | Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command/Commander, Air Forces Strategic- Air, U.S. Strategic Command (COMAFGSC/COMAFSTRATAIR), 2022–present. | 3 | 1985 (Norwich) | 37 | (born c. 1963) |
| 227 | James C. Slife | 19 Dec 2023 | Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2023–2025. | 2 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born c. 1967) Relieved, 2025. |
| 228 | Timothy D. Haugh | 2 Feb 2024 | Commander, U.S. Cyber Command/Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service (CDRUSCYBERCOM/DIRNSA/CCSS), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1969–    ) |
| 229 | Gregory M. Guillot | 5 Feb 2024 | Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRNORAD/CDRUSNORTHCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 35 | |
| 230 | Kevin B. Schneider | 9 Feb 2024 | Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Air Component Commander for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff (COMPACAF/AIRCDRUSINDOPACOM/EXDIRPACOPS), 2024–present. | 1 | 1988 (USAFA) | 36 | |
| 231 | John D. Lamontagne | 7 Sep 2024 | Commander, Air Mobility Command (COMAMC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (USAFA) | 32 | (born c. 1970) |
| 232 | Steven S. Nordhaus | 2 Oct 2024 | Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1966) |
| 233 | Randall Reed | 4 Oct 2024 | Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 35 | (born c. 1967) |

## History
### 1943–1991

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 (VJCS) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other joint four-star positions have included unified combatant commanders and certain NATO staff positions.

### 1991–present
## Legislation

The following list of Congressional legislation includes major acts of Congress pertaining to appointments to the grade of general in the United States Air Force.
| Legislation | Citation | Summary |
| Act of July 26, 1947 [National Security Act of 1947] | 61 Stat. 503 | Established U.S. Air Force. |
| Act of August 7, 1947 [Officer Personnel Act of 1947] | 61 Stat. 886 | Authorized president to designate, subject to Senate confirmation, Air Force officers to have the rank of general while assigned to positions of importance and responsibility. Capped Air Force positions with ranks above major general at 15 percent of the total number of general officers serving on active federal military duty, of which not more than 25 percent to carry the rank of general. |
| Act of June 26, 1948 | 62 Stat. 1052 | Authorized permanent grade of general and full active-duty pay and allowances in retirement for Carl A. Spaatz. |
| Act of December 12, 1980 [Defense Officer Personnel Management Act] | 94 Stat. 2844 94 Stat. 2849 94 Stat. 2876 | Authorized president to designate positions of importance and responsibility to carry the grade of general, to be assigned from officers on active duty in any grade above colonel, subject to Senate confirmation, who revert to their permanent grade at the end of their assignment unless it was terminated by assignment to another position designated to carry the same grade, up to 180 days of hospitalization, or up to 90 days prior to retirement [reduced to 60 days in 1991 (105 Stat. 1354)]. Capped, except during war or national emergency, Air Force officers in grades above major general at 15 percent of all general officers on active duty, of whom not more than 25 percent to serve in the grade of general. Authorized three- and four-star officers to retire in the highest grade held on active duty, at the discretion of the president and subject to confirmation by the Senate, with no time-in-grade requirement [changed in 1996 to certification by secretary of defense and three-year time-in-grade requirement (110 Stat. 292)]. |
| Act of October 17, 1998 | 112 Stat. 2035 | Authorized promotion of Benjamin O. Davis Jr. to general on the retired list, with no increase in compensation or benefits. |
| Act of January 28, 2008 | 122 Stat. 496 | Increased grade of chief of the National Guard Bureau to general. |
| Act of October 28, 2009 | 123 Stat. 2273 123 Stat. 2274 123 Stat. 2276 | Capped Air Force officers in the grade of general at 9, exempting from caps the chief of the National Guard Bureau and up to 20 generals assigned to joint duty [joint-duty cap repealed in 2016, effective December 31, 2022 (130 Stat. 2100), and lowered in 2021 to 19 (134 Stat. 3563)]. |
| Act of December 20, 2019 | 133 Stat. 1561 | Redesignated Air Force Space Command as U.S. Space Force. |