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    HomeAbout UsBiographiesDisplay      FirthMarch2014Engage On
        
        FirthMarch2014BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES A. FIRTHBrig. Gen. James A. Firth is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The center is responsible for the research, development, and production of Air Force basic and operational doctrine and for critical leadership and input for joint and multinational doctrine development activities. The center is also responsible for advocating the proper doctrinal representation of air and space power in exercise scenarios, war games, models and simulations, and providing policy and guidance to ensure a comprehensive dissemination of Air Force doctrine through systematic doctrine education and focused outreach. 
General Firth entered the Air Force in May 1980 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served in various operational, training and staff assignments, and commanded a fighter squadron and fighter wing. General Firth is a command pilot with more than 3,700 hours in the F-15, F-16 and T-38. His service includes 10 years on active duty, and more than 20 years in both the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. **EDUCATION**1980 Bachelor of Science degrees in management and economics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 
1984 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 
1994 Air Command and Staff College 
2001 Air War College 
2009 Joint Air and Space Senior Staff Course 
2009 Leadership Development Program, Center for Creative Leadership 
2009 USAF Senior Leader Orientation Course 
2013 Senior Joint Information Operations Applications Course 
2013 Joint Force Air Component Commander Course 
2014 Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course **ASSIGNMENTS**1. August 1980 - July 1981, student, undergraduate pilot training, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Okla. 
2. July 1981 - October 1981, student, T-38 Pilot Instructor Training, 560th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas 
3. October 1981 - December 1984, T-38 instructor pilot, check section pilot, and standards and evaluation pilot, 71st Flying Training Squadron, Vance AFB, Okla. 
4. December 1984 - March 1986, command flight examiner, and T-38 standardization and evaluation pilot, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas 
5. March 1986 - May 1986, student, lead-in fighter training, 434th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M. 
6. June 1986 - December 1986, student, F-15 initial qualification training, 2nd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla. 
7. January 1987 - January 1990, F-15 instructor pilot, flight commander, mission commander, and wing tactics officer, 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bitburg Air Base, Germany 
8. March 1991 - May 1991, student, F-16 transition course, Kingsley Air National Guard Base, Ore. 
9. June 1991 - June 1995, F-16 pilot, Jacksonville ANGB, Fla. 
10. July 1995 - September 1995, student, F-15 transition course, Tyndall AFB, Fla. 
11. October 1995 - August 1999, F-15 instructor pilot, flight commander, mission commander, and Chief of Special Programs, 159th Fighter Squadron, Jacksonville ANGB, Fla. 
12. August 1999 - March 2001, Commander, 159th Fighter Squadron, Jacksonville ANGB, Fla. 
13. March 2001 - August 2002, Director of Operations, Headquarters Florida Air National Guard, St. Augustine, Fla. 
14. August 2002 - November 2004, Commander, 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville ANGB, Fla. 
15. November 2004 - March 2005, special assistant to the Commander, Headquarters Florida Air National Guard, St. Augustine, Fla. 
16. April 2005 - Jul 2005, senior individual mobilization assistant, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 
17. August 2005 - October 2005, F-15 program element monitor, Aircraft Division, Directorate of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va., and senior individual mobilization assistant, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 
18. October 2005 - September 2007, Chief, Combat Aircraft Division, Directorate of Requirements, Headquarters ACC, Langley AFB, Va., and senior individual mobilization assistant, Fighter Attack Systems Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 
20. September 2007 - September 2008, Deputy Director, Directorate of Requirements, Headquarters ACC, Langley AFB, Va., and Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Maintenance and Logistics, Headquarters ACC, Langley AFB, Va. 
21. September 2008 - August 2009, special assistant to the Director of Requirements, Headquarters ACC, Langley AFB, Va., and Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Maintenance and Logistics, Headquarters ACC, Langley AFB, Va. 
22. March 2013 – present, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, Maxwell AFB, Ala. **FLIGHT INFORMATION**Ratings: Command pilot, parachutist 
Flight hours: More than 3,700 
Aircraft flown: F-15A/B/C/D, F-16A/B and T-38 **MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS**Legion of Merit 
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters 
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters 
Air Force Achievement Medal 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters 
National Defense Service Medal 
Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal **EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION**Second Lieutenant May 28, 1980 
First Lieutenant May 28, 1982 
Captain May 28, 1984 
Major March 5, 1994 
Lieutenant Colonel, March 6, 1998 
Colonel March 21, 2002 
Brigadier General Sept. 15, 2011 
(Current as of March 2014)
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