James L . Jamerson James L . Jamerson ( born January 29 , 1941 ) is a former General in the United States Air Force and the former commander of the United States European Command . Biography . Early life . The general was born and raised in Chapel Hill , North Carolina , and entered the Air Force in 1963 following graduation from the United States Air Force Academy . Beginning in May 1963 and going to August 1964 , he was a student in pilot training at Webb Air Force Base , Texas . He then was an instructor in the T - 38 Talon at Webb until December , 1967 . From December until May , 1968 , he was a student of A - 1E Skyraider training at Hurlburt Field , Florida . From May until June 1969 , he was an A - 1E close air support and search and rescue pilot , 602nd Air Commando Squadron , Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base and Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand . He later was an AT - 33 Shooting Star fighter lead - in instructor pilot , later , A - 7D Corsair II pilot , 354th Tactical Fighter Wing , Myrtle Beach Air Force Base , South Carolina from June 1969 to August 1971 . From August 1971 and going for the next year , he was a student at the Air Command and Staff College , Maxwell Air Force Base , Alabama . For the next four years , he was a staff officer , Operational Requirements and Contingency Plans Division , Headquarters Pacific Air Forces , Hickam Air Force Base , Hawaii . Starting in August 1976 and going to June 1981 , he was an A - 7D Corsair II aircraft commander ; chief of safety ; squadron operations officer ; squadron commander , and assistant deputy commander for operations , for the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing , England Air Force Base , Louisiana . Later career . Jim became a student at the Air Force Institute of Technology , Georgetown University , Washington D . C . from June 1981 to August 1982 . Right after graduation , he was assigned as Chief of Pacific , Middle East and Africa Policy Division , Directorate of International Programs , Headquarters United States Air Force , Washington D . C . until July 1984 . His following assignment was as Vice Commander , 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base , South Carolina until May 1985 . From May 1985 to February 1987 , he was the Commander of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at England Air Force Base , Louisiana . He then became the commander of the 56th Tactical Training Wing at MacDill Air Force Base , Florida until January 1989 . From January 1989 to November 1991 , he served as the assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations , and later , the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations , Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe , Ramstein Air Base , Germany . Following those positions , General Jamerson was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations , Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons , Belgium from November 1991 to August 1992 . Beginning in August 1992 and going until July 1993 , he was the Vice Commander in Chief , Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe , back at Ramstein AB . For the next year , he was the Commander of the 12th Air Force and United States Southern Command Air Forces at Davis - Monthan Air Force Base , Arizona . For the year after that , he became the Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe , and Allied Forces Central Europe , also at Ramstein . His final military assignment was as the Deputy Commander in Chief , United States European Command , Stuttgart - Vaihingen , Germany from July 1995 until his retirement on 1 September 1998 . Currently , he is a member of the National Security Advisory Council . Awards . Awards earned over his career : Dates of Promotion . Dates at which he was promoted :