caption serviceyears branch allegiance awards rank image article_title name
major of the united states air force general cecil r. richardson 16th chief of chaplains 1966 - 2012 20px united states air force united states of america 30px medal 30px legion of merit distinguished service medal 30px def . superior service 30px major general chaplains - air force.jpg cecil r. richardson
 cecil r. richardson
cecil r. richardson

chaplain -lrb- major general -rrb- cecil r. richardson , usaf retired as the 16th chief of chaplains of the united states air force , effective june 1 , 2012 , with an official retirement ceremony on may 30 , 2012 .
he was appointed to that assignment on may 28 , 2008 .
richardson , a member of the assemblies of god , was the first pentecostal minister to be promoted to flag officer rank in the u.s. air force .
he has said that his role was to be `` a pastor to christians , and a chaplain to all . ''
