# List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals since 2020

The rank of lieutenant general (or three-star general) is the second-highest rank normally achievable in the United States Air Force, and the first to have a specified number of appointments set by statute. It ranks above major general (two-star general) and below general (four-star general).
There have been 66 lieutenant generals in the U.S. Air Force since 1 January 2020, four of whom were elevated to four-star general. All 66 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Lieutenant generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 29 were commissioned via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 22 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, eight via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), three via direct commission (direct), three via AFROTC at a senior military college, and one via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA).

## List of generals

Entries in the following list of lieutenant 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 in the U.S. Air Force or was promoted to four-star rank while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank, active-duty positions held while serving at three-star rank, number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank (Yrs), year commissioned and source of commission, number of years in commission when promoted to three-star rank (YC), and other biographical notes (years of birth and death are shown in parentheses in the Notes column). Officers transferred to the U.S. Space Force in the grade of lieutenant general are included while having previously held that rank in the Air Force previously are included, while Air Force officers first promoted to lieutenant general in the U.S. Space Force are excluded.
List of U.S. Air Force lieutenant generals since 2020 :
| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
| 1 | David A. Krumm | 20 Apr 2020 | Commander, Alaskan NORAD Region/Commander, Alaskan Command/Commander, Eleventh Air Force (CDRANR/CDRALCOM), 2020–2022. | 2 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1967– ) |
| 2 | Scott L. Pleus | 12 Jun 2020 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea/Commander, Air Component Command, United Nations Command/Commander, Air Component Command, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, Seventh Air Force (DCDRUSFK/AIRCDRUNC/AIRCDRCFC), 2020–2024. Director of Staff, U.S. Air Force (AF/DS), 2024–present. | 5 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| 3 | S. Clinton Hinote | 15 Jun 2020 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Air Staff (DCS A5), 2020–2022. Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures, Air Staff (DCS A5/7), 2022–2023. | 3 | 1992 (USAFA) | 28 | |
| 4 | Carl E. Schaefer | 21 Jun 2020 | Deputy Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (DCOMAFMC), 2020–2023. | 3 | 1990 (USAFA) | 30 | |
| * | Gregory M. Guillot | 16 Jul 2020 | Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command/Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command (COMUSAFCENT/CFACC), 2020. Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)/Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command (COMAFCENT/CFACC), 2020–2022. Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (DCDRUSCENTCOM), 2022–2024. | 4 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1961– ) Promoted to general, 5 Feb 2024. |
| 5 | Michael A. Loh | 22 Jul 2020 | Director, Air National Guard (DIRANG), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1984 (USAFA) | 36 | (1962– ) Son of Air Force four-star general John M. Loh. |
| 6 | Kirk S. Pierce | 29 Jul 2020 | Commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern)/Commander, Continental U.S. NORAD Region/Combined Force Air Component Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Joint Force Air Component Commander, U.S. Northern Command (COMAFNORTH/CDRCONR/CFACCNORAD/JFACC USNORTHCOM), 2020–2022. Commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern/Air Forces Space)/Commander, Continental U.S. NORAD Region/Combined Force Air Component Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Joint Force Air Component Commander, U.S. Northern Command (COMAFNORTH/COMAFSPACE/CDRCONR/CFACCNORAD/JFACC USNORTHCOM), 2022–2023. | 3 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1966– ) |
| 7 | Tony D. Bauernfeind | 31 Jul 2020 | Vice Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (VCDRUSSOCOM), 2020–2022. Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (COMAFSOC), 2022–2024. Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, 2024–present. | 5 | 1991 (USAFA) | 29 | |
| 8 | Kirk W. Smith | 4 Aug 2020 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command (DCDRUSAFRICOM), 2020–2024. | 4 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | (1967– ) |
| 9 | Brian S. Robinson | 14 Aug 2020 | Deputy Commander, Air Mobility Command (DCOMAMC), 2020–2022. Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC), 2022–present. | 5 | 1987 (OTS) | 33 | (1965– ) |
| 10 | Jeffrey A. Kruse | 16 Aug 2020 | Director's Advisor for Military Affairs, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ADV-ODNI), 2020–2024. Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA), 2024–present. | 5 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1968– ) |
| 11 | Charles L. Moore Jr. | 3 Sep 2020 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (DCDRUSCYBERCOM), 2020–2022. | 3 | 1989 (USAFA) | 31 | (1966– ) |
| 12 | Shaun Q. Morris | 3 Sep 2020 | Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/Program Executive Officer, Rapid Sustainment Office (COMAFLCMC/PEORSO), 2020–2023. | 3 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 13 | Sam C. Barrett | 4 Sep 2020 | Director, Logistics, Joint Staff, J4, 2020–2022. | 2 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 14 | James C. Dawkins Jr. | 1 Oct 2020 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Air Staff (DCS A10), 2020–2023. | 3 | 1989 (OTS) | 31 | (1966– ) |
| 15 | Andrew A. Croft | 28 Dec 2020 | Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command (MILDEPUSSOUTHCOM), 2021–2023. | 3 | 1988 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1965– ) |
| 16 | Robert J. Skinner | 25 Feb 2021 | Director, Defense Information Systems Agency/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Network (DIRDISA/CDRJFHQ-DoDIN), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1989 (OTS) | 32 | |
| 17 | Robert I. Miller | 4 Jun 2021 | Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force and Space Force (AF & SF/SG), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1989 (direct) | 32 | (1963– ) |
| 18 | Russell L. Mack | 16 Aug 2021 | Deputy Commander, Air Combat Command (DCOMACC), 2021–2023. | 2 | 1988 (OTS) | 33 | |
| 19 | Tom D. Miller | 17 Aug 2021 | Commander, Air Force Sustainment Center (COMAFSC), 2021–2022. Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Air Staff (DCS A4), 2022–present. | 3 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| 20 | James A. Jacobson | 20 Aug 2021 | Deputy Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Deputy Theater Air Component Commander to the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (DCOMPACAF/DEPAIRCDRINDOPACOM), 2021–2024. | 4 | 1990 (USAFA) | 31 | |
| 21 | Mark E. Weatherington | 23 Aug 2021 | Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command/Deputy Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command (DCOMAFGSC/DCOMAFSTRATAIR), 2021–2023. | 2 | 1990 (USAFA) | 31 | (1967– ) |
| 22 | Ricky N. Rupp | 27 Aug 2021 | Commander, U.S. Forces Japan/Commander, Fifth Air Force (COMUSFJ), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 32 | |
| 23 | David J. Julazadeh | 4 Oct 2021 | Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DCOFS-CD), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 31 | (1966– ) |
| 24 | Lance K. Landrum | 11 Oct 2021 | Deputy Chair, NATO Military Committee (DCMC), 2021–2023. | 2 | 1992 (USAFA) | 29 | (c. 1970– ) |
| 25 | John D. Caine | 3 Nov 2021 | Associate Director, Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency (ADMA), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1990 (VMI) | 31 | |
| 26 | Stephen L. Davis | 2 Mar 2022 | Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF/IG), 2022–present. | 3 | 1989 (OTS) | 33 | |
| 27 | Caroline M. Miller | 26 May 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Air Staff (DCS A1), 2022–present. | 3 | 1994 (OTS) | 28 | (1968– ) |
| 28 | Charles L. Plummer | 26 May 2022 | Judge Advocate General, U.S. Air Force and Space Force (AF & SF/JA), 2022–2025. | 3 | 1995 (direct) | 27 | Relieved, 2025. |
| * | Randall Reed | 3 Jun 2022 | Deputy Commander, Air Mobility Command (DCOMAMC), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 33 | (c. 1967– ) Promoted to general, 4 Oct 2024. |
| 29 | Richard G. Moore Jr. | 30 Jun 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Air Staff (DCS A8), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1992 (USAFA) | 30 | |
| 30 | Michael J. Schmidt | 5 Jul 2022 | Program Executive Officer, F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (PEO F-35), 2022–present. | 3 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| * | John D. Lamontagne | 7 Jul 2022 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (DCOMUSAFE-AFAFRICA), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1992 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1970– ) Promoted to general, 7 Sep 2024. |
| 31 | Alexus G. Grynkewich | 21 Jul 2022 | Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)/Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command (COMAFCENT/CFACC), 2022–2024. Director, Operations, Joint Staff, J3, 2024–present. | 3 | 1993 (USAFA) | 29 | |
| 32 | Kevin B. Kennedy | 21 Jul 2022 | Commander, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Air Force) (COMAFCYBER/CDRJFHQ-C), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1990 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 33 | Andrea D. Tullos | 25 Jul 2022 | Commander/President, Air University (COM/Pres. AU), 2022–present. | 3 | 1991 (OTS) | 31 | |
| 34 | Leonard J. Kosinski | 2 Aug 2022 | Director, Logistics, Joint Staff, J4, 2022–2024. | 2 | 1993 (USAFA) | 29 | |
| 35 | John P. Healy | 3 Aug 2022 | Chief, Air Force Reserve/Commander, Air Force Reserve Command (CAFR/COMAFRC), 2022–present. | 3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 33 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 36 | Leah G. Lauderback | 6 Aug 2022 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations, Air Staff (DCS A2/6), 2022–present. | 2 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 29 | |
| 37 | Dagvin R. M. Anderson | 8 Aug 2022 | Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, J7, 2022–present. | 3 | 1992 (AFROTC) | 30 | |
| 38 | Stacey T. Hawkins | 15 Aug 2022 | Commander, Air Force Sustainment Center (COMAFSC), 2022–present. | 3 | 1991 (USAFA) | 31 | |
| 39 | Donna D. Shipton | 22 Aug 2022 | Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (MILDEP SAF/AQ), 2022–2023. Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (COMAFLCMC), 2024–present. | 3 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 31 | (c. 1970– ) |
| * | Steven S. Nordhaus | 31 Mar 2023 | Commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern/Air Forces Space)/Commander, Continental U.S. NORAD Region/Combined Force Air Component Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Joint Force Air Component Commander, U.S. Northern Command (COMAFNORTH/COMAFSPACE/CDRCONR/CFACCNORAD/JFACC USNORTHCOM), 2023–2024. | 1 | 1989 (USAFA) | 34 | (1966– ) Promoted to general, 2 Oct 2024. |
| 40 | Heath A. Collins | 5 Dec 2023 | Director, Missile Defense Agency (DIRMDA), 2023–present. | 2 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 30 | (c. 1971– ) |
| 41 | Andrew J. Gebara | 5 Dec 2023 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Air Staff (DCS A10), 2023–present. | 2 | 1991 (USNA) | 32 | (c. 1969– ) |
| 42 | Adrian L. Spain | 19 Dec 2023 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Air Staff (DCS A3), 2023–present. | 1 | 1994 (AFROTC) | 29 | |
| 43 | Dale R. White | 27 Dec 2023 | Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (MILDEP SAF/AQ), 2023–present. | 2 | 1997 (AFROTC) | 26 | (c. 1971– ) |
| 44 | Michael G. Koscheski | 5 Jan 2024 | Deputy Commander, Air Combat Command (DCOMACC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (USAFA) | 32 | |
| 45 | Michael J. Lutton | 8 Jan 2024 | Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command/Deputy Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command (DCOMAFGSC/DCOMAFSTRATAIR), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 34 | |
| 46 | Linda S. Hurry | 13 Jan 2024 | Deputy Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (DCOMAFMC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USAFA) | 33 | |
| 47 | David R. Iverson | 30 Jan 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea/Commander, Air Component Command, United Nations Command/Commander, Air Component Command, ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command/Commander, Seventh Air Force (DCDRUSFK/AIRCDRUNC/AIRCDRCFC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 33 | (c. 1969– ) |
| 48 | Laura L. Lenderman | 23 Feb 2024 | Deputy Commander, Pacific Air Forces/Deputy Theater Air Component Commander to the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (DCOMPACAF/DEPAIRCDRINDOPACOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1993 (AFROTC) | 31 | |
| 49 | Sean M. Farrell | 8 Mar 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (DCDRUSSOCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1990 (AFROTC) | 34 | |
| 50 | Derek C. France | 18 Apr 2024 | Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)/Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command (COMAFCENT/CFACC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (USAFA) | 32 | (c. 1970– ) |
| 51 | David H. Tabor | 1 Jul 2024 | Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Air Staff (DCS A8), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (AFROTC) | 32 | |
| 52 | Michael E. Conley | 1 Jul 2024 | Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command (COMAFSOC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1996 (USAFA) | 28 | |
| 53 | John J. DeGoes | 31 Jul 2024 | Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force and Space Force (AF & SF/SG), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (direct) | 35 | |
| 54 | Thomas K. Hensley | 1 Aug 2024 | Commander, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)/Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber (Air Force) (COMAFCYBER/CDRJFHQ-C), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (Texas A&M) | 32 | |
| 55 | Case A. Cunningham | 9 Aug 2024 | Commander, Alaskan NORAD Region/Commander, Alaskan Command/Commander, Eleventh Air Force (CDRANR/CDRALCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 56 | Jason T. Hinds | 30 Aug 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (DCOMUSAFE-AFAFRICA), 2024–present. | 1 | 1996 (AFROTC) | 28 | (c. 1974– ) |
| 57 | Jennifer M. Short | 30 Sep 2024 | Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2024–2025. | 1 | 1995 (OTS) | 29 | (c. 1970– ) Relieved, 2025. Daughter of Air Force lieutenant general Michael C. Short. |
| 58 | M. Luke Ahmann | 2 Oct 2024 | Commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern/Air Forces Space)/Commander, Continental U.S. NORAD Region/Combined Force Air Component Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Joint Force Air Component Commander, U.S. Northern Command (COMAFNORTH/COMAFSPACE/CDRCONR/CFACCNORAD/JFACC USNORTHCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1993 (USAFA) | 31 | (c. 1971– ) Son of Air Force lieutenant general James H. Ahmann. |
| 59 | Rebecca J. Sonkiss | 7 Oct 2024 | Deputy Commander, Air Mobility Command (DCOMAMC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 60 | Stephen F. Jost | 8 Oct 2024 | Commander, U.S. Forces Japan/Commander, Fifth Air Force (COMUSFJ), 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 61 | Evan L. Pettus | 4 Nov 2024 | Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command (MILDEPUSSOUTHCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1994 (USAFA) | 30 | (c. 1972– ) |
| 62 | Michael L. Downs | 2 Dec 2024 | Associate Director, Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency (ADMA), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (Texas A&M) | 32 | |

## Timeline
### 2020–present

For lieutenant generals who are dual-hatted as both numbered air force (NAF) commanders and commander or deputy commander of a joint force, the service-specific command is to be prioritized.

## Background
### Modern use of the rank

Lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force typically serve in high-level command and staff positions, including as commanders of major commands (MAJCOMs), commanders of numbered air forces (NAF) that are concurrently designated as service component commands under a four-star unified combatant commander and deputy commanders of four-star major commands. Under the Air Staff, this includes the director of staff and deputy chiefs of staff (limited to 8 by statute), as well as the inspector general. High-level specialty positions such as the surgeon general, judge advocate general, and chief of Air Force Reserve may also hold three-star rank, though not by statute. The superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy and director of the Air National Guard have been three-star positions since 1983 and 2002 respectively.
About 30 to 50 joint service three-star billets exist at any given time that can be occupied by an Air Force lieutenant general, among the most prestigious being the director of the Joint Staff (DJS), principal staff advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and historically considered a stepping stone to four-star rank. All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, as are directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA). Internationally based three-star positions include the deputy chair of the NATO Military Committee (DCMC), United States military representative to the NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), and the security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. All nominees for three-star rank must be confirmed via majority by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank.

#### Statutory limits, elevations and reductions

The U.S. Code states that no more than 44 officers in the U.S. Air Force may hold the rank of lieutenant general on the active duty list, aside from those on joint duty assignments. Three-star positions can be elevated to four-star status or reduced to two-star status where deemed necessary, either to highlight their increasing importance to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions.
* Lieutenant General Jeffrey A. Kruse was appointed the first advisor for military to the director of national intelligence on 17 August 2021 amid organizational changes to the ODNI. The role was created to serve as a "focal point" for the ODNI to communicate with the Department of Defense, including the under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, combat support agency directors and the combatant commands.

#### Senate confirmations

Military nominations are considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session.
* For example, the nomination of Major General Ryan F. Gonsalves for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as commanding general of U.S. Army Europe was withdrawn in November 2017 after an investigation was launched into the general's inappropriate comment to a female Congressional staffer. As a result, Gonsalves was administratively reprimanded and retired in May 2018.
Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office.
* For example, Major General John G. Rossi, who had been confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016 committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command. As a result, the then incumbent commander of USASMDC, Lieutenant General David L. Mann, remained in command beyond customary term limits until another nominee, Major General James H. Dickinson was confirmed by the Senate.
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act explicitly prohibits adding new general officer billets to the Space Force beyond the sole four-star billet of the chief of space operations. This necessitated that five Air Force three-star appointments be transferred to the Space Force, leaving them with 30 as opposed to 35 available three-star positions.
* For example, the position of commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) was transferred to the Space Force as the center transitioned into the Space Systems Command (SSC), the second Space Force field command to be established. The last Air Force general to command SMC, Lieutenant General John F. Thompson retired in August 2021 to make way for Lieutenant General Michael A. Guetlein, who assumed command of Space Systems Command on 13 August 2021.