List of commanders-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command

Last updated

Commander-in-Chief,
United States Air Force
Strategic Air Command
SAC Shield.svg
Department of Defense
Style CinC SAC
Inaugural holder Gen. George C. Kenney
FormationMarch 21, 1946
Final holder Gen. Lee Butler
AbolishedMay 31, 1992
Succession Air Combat Command
Strategic Command

The Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC) was the most senior officer and head of the Strategic Air Command (SAC).

Contents

List of SAC Commanders-in-Chief

NamePhotoTerm beganTerm endedNotes
1Gen George Kenney General George Churchill Kenney.jpg March 21, 1946October 15, 1948(1889–1977)
Designated as Commanding General
2Gen Curtis LeMay Curtis LeMay (USAF).jpg October 19, 1948June 30, 1957(1906–1993)
3Gen Thomas S. Power Thomas S Power.jpg July 1, 1957November 30, 1964(1905–1970)
4Gen John Dale Ryan GEN Ryan, John Dale (2).jpg December 1, 1964January 31, 1967(1915–1983)
5Gen Joseph J. Nazzaro GEN Joseph J Nazzaro.jpg February 1, 1967July 31, 1968(1913–1990)
6Gen Bruce K. Holloway Holloway BK color.jpg August 1, 1968April 30, 1972(1912–1999)
7Gen John C. Meyer Meyer JC color.jpg May 1, 1972July 31, 1974(1919–1975)
8Gen Russell E. Dougherty Russell E Dougherty.jpg August 1, 1974July 31, 1977(1920–2007)
9Gen Richard H. Ellis GEN Ellis, Richard Hastings.jpg August 1, 1977July 31, 1981(1919–1989)
10Gen Bennie L. Davis GEN Davis, Bennie Luke.jpg August 1, 1981July 31, 1985(1928–2012)
11Gen Larry D. Welch General Larry D. Welch, USAF (uncovered).jpg August 1, 1985June 22, 1986(born 1934)
12Gen John T. Chain, Jr. John T Chain.jpg June 22, 1986January 24, 1991(1934–2021)
13Gen George Lee Butler GEN George L Butler.jpg January 25, 1991June 1, 1992(born 1939)

[1]

Three out of the Thirteen Commanders-in-Chief of the Strategic Air Command later on served as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis LeMay, General John D. Ryan and General Larry D. Welch.

List of SAC Vice Commanders-in-Chief

Vice Commander-in-Chief, United States Air Force Strategic Air Command
SAC Shield.svg
Inaugural holder Maj Gen St. Clair Streett
FormationMarch 21, 1946
Final holder Lt Gen Leo W. Smith II
AbolishedMay 31, 1992
Succession Air Combat Command
NameTerm beganTerm endedNotes
1.Maj Gen St. Clair Streett March 21, 1946January 9, 1947(1893–1970)
Designated as Deputy Commander
2.Maj Gen Clements McMullen January 10, 1947October 25, 1948(1892–1959) [2]
Designated as Deputy Commander
3.Maj Gen Thomas S. Power October 26, 1948April 14, 1954(1905–1970)
Designated as Deputy Commander (1948–52)
Vice Commander (1952–54)
4.Lt Gen Francis H. Griswold May 3, 1954June 30, 1961(1904–1989) [3]
Designated as Vice Commander (1954–55)
5.Lt Gen John P. McConnell July 1, 1961September 30, 1962(1908–1986)
6.Lt Gen Hunter Harris Jr. October 1, 1962July 31, 1964(1909–1987)
7.Lt Gen John Dale Ryan August 1, 1964November 30, 1964(1915–1983)
8.Lt Gen Joseph J. Nazzaro December 1, 1964January 31, 1967(1913–1990)
9.Lt Gen Keith K. Compton February 1, 1967July 31, 1969(1915–2004) [4]
10.Lt Gen Glen W. Martin August 1, 1969September 30, 1973(1916–1994) [5] [6]
11.Lt Gen James M. Keck October 1, 1974June 30, 1977(1921–2018)
12.Lt Gen James E. Hill August 1, 1977December 5, 1977(1921–1999)
13.Lt Gen Edgar S. Harris Jr. December 6, 1977June 27, 1978(1925–2018)
13.Lt Gen Lloyd R. Leavitt Jr. June 28, 1978August 31, 1981(1928–2016) [7]
13.Lt Gen George D. Miller September 1, 1981August 31, 1984(born 1930) [8]
13.Lt Gen William J. Campbell August 31, 1984July 26, 1985(1931–2017) [9]
13.Lt Gen Monroe W. Hatch Jr. July 27, 1985January 29, 1987(born 1933)
13.Lt Gen Kenneth L. Peek Jr. January 30, 1987September 9, 1988(born 1932) [10]
13.Lt Gen Donald O. Aldridge September 9, 1988May 30, 1991(born 1932) [11]
13.Lt Gen Leo W. Smith II June 1, 1991June 1, 1992(born 1936) [12]

[13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strategic Air Command</span> 1946–1992 US Air Force major command; predecessor of USAF Global Strike Command

Strategic Air Command (SAC) was both a United States Department of Defense Specified Command and a United States Air Force (USAF) Major Command responsible for command and control of the strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile components of the United States military's strategic nuclear forces from 1946 to 1992. SAC was also responsible for the operation of strategic reconnaissance aircraft and airborne command post aircraft as well as most of the USAF's aerial refueling fleet, including aircraft from the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Offutt Air Force Base</span> CDP in Nebraska, United States

Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force base south of Omaha, adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), the 557th Weather Wing, and the 55th Wing of the Air Combat Command (ACC), the latter serving as the host unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eighteenth Air Force</span> Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for air mobility forces

Eighteenth Air Force is the only Numbered Air Force (NAF) in Air Mobility Command (AMC) and one of the largest NAFs in the United States Air Force. 18 AF was activated on 28 March 1951, inactivated on 1 January 1958, and re-activated on 1 October 2003. 18 AF is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert J. Elder Jr.</span> United States Air Force general

Lieutenant General Robert J. "Bob" Elder Jr. is the former Commander, 8th Air Force; Commander, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. He is now a member of the research faculty at George Mason University. As one of three active-duty numbered air forces in Air Combat Command, 8th Air Force provides long-range global strike, battle management, surveillance and reconnaissance, intelligence, information operations, tactical air control, and expeditionary heavy construction capabilities to combatant commanders. The "Mighty Eighth" also conducted computer network operations as the Air Force component to the Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations before that duty was transferred to 24th Air Force, and trains Air and Space Operations Center personnel for worldwide deployment and participation in the multinational Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. Robert Kehler</span> United States Air Force general

Claude Robert "Bob" Kehler, is a retired United States Air Force general who served as Commander, United States Strategic Command from January 28, 2011 to November 15, 2013. He previously served as Commander, Air Force Space Command from October 12, 2007 to January 5, 2011. As commander of Air Force Space Command, he was responsible for the development, acquisition and operation of the Air Force's space and missile systems. He oversaw a global network of satellite command and control, communications, missile warning and launch facilities, and ensures the combat readiness of America's intercontinental ballistic missile force. He led more than 39,700 space professionals who provide combat forces and capabilities to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command. He was also responsible for the plans and operations for all U.S. forces conducting strategic deterrence and Department of Defense space and cyberspace operations. He officially retired from the Air Force on January 1, 2014 after nearly 39 years of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bennie L. Davis</span> United States Air Force general

Bennie Luke Davis was a United States Air Force general who served as the commander-in-chief of Strategic Air Command, and as the director of Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, with its headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The command was the major American nuclear deterrent force with bombers, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff coordinated United States nuclear war plans and develops the Single Integrated Operational Plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph J. Nazzaro</span> United States Air Force general

General Joseph James Nazzaro was commander in chief of Pacific Air Forces with headquarters at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii and Commanders-in-Chief of The Strategic Air Command with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce K. Holloway</span> United States Air Force general

General Bruce Keener Holloway was a United States Air Force general. A West Point graduate, he was a fighter ace with the United States Army Air Forces in World War II and later served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and commander-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles T. Robertson Jr.</span> United States Air Force general

General Charles Thomas "Tony" Robertson Jr. is a retired United States Air Force general who served as commander in chief, United States Transportation Command, and commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. As commander, he was responsible for the nation's defense transportation requirements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roosevelt Mercer Jr.</span> United States Air Force general

Retired Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Mercer Jr., SES, is the director of the Interagency Planning Office (IPO) for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) at the Federal Aviation Administration where he provides high-level leadership for interagency and international collaboration related to NextGen. He executes the collaborative processes needed to ensure efficient coordination among all federal partners whose decisions impact NextGen. The federal partner agencies include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Commerce (DOC), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as an ex officio participant. Mr. Mercer is charged with providing executive direction to a dynamic multi-agency and international partnering organization focused on future NextGen technology, policy, and collaborative activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Harris Jr.</span> United States Air Force general

Hunter Harris Jr. was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF) from 1964 to 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene E. Habiger</span> American military general (1939–2022)

Eugene Emil Habiger was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT) from 1996 to 1998. After retiring from the military on August 1, 1998, he served as Director of Security and Emergency Operations, U.S. Department of Energy, from 1999 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twenty-Fourth Air Force</span> Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for cyber forces

Twenty-Fourth Air Force / Air Forces Cyber (AFCYBER) was a Numbered Air Force within the United States Air Force. The Air Force consolidated its cyberspace combat and support forces into 24 AF. 24 AF was the Air Force component of U.S. Cyber Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archie J. Old Jr.</span> United States Air Force general

Archie J. Old Jr. was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Global Strike Command</span> Major command of the United States Air Force responsible for strategic and nuclear forces

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. Air Force Global Strike Command is the Air Force's service component to the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis L. Wilson Jr.</span> United States Air Force general

Louis Locke Wilson Jr. was a general in the United States Air Force and the former commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alvan Cullem Gillem II</span> United States Air Force general

Alvan Cullem Gillem II was a United States Air Force officer who reached the rank of lieutenant general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiiu Kera</span> US Air Force general

Tiiu Kera is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) major general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twenty-Fifth Air Force</span> Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for intelligence forces

Twenty-Fifth Air Force, also known as Air Force Intelligence, was a numbered air force (NAF) within the United States Air Force (USAF), and served as the Air Force's premier military intelligence organization. 25 AF was established on 29 September 2014 by redesignating the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency under Headquarters, United States Air Force, to a numbered air force aligned under Air Combat Command. The USAF also realigned the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and the 55th Wing under the new NAF. It was headquartered at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

The commander of Space Operations Command is a lieutenant general who leads the field command that provide space forces to the United States Space Command and supports other unified combatant commands. A senior leader in the Space Force, it is only one of three field commanders and, of which, only one of two held by a lieutenant general.

References

  1. Command Historian's Office. Headquarters Strategic Air Command Key Personnel, 1946–1992 (Commanders-in-Chief). Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska . Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  2. "Biographies : Major General Clements Mcmullen". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  3. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Francis H. Griswold". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  4. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Keith Karl Compton". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  5. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Glen W. Martin". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  6. http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/elpaso/cemeteries/academp.txt [ bare URL plain text file ]
  7. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Lloyd R. Leavitt Jr". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  8. "Biographies : Lieutenant General George D. Miller". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  9. "Biographies : Lieutenant General William J. Campbell". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  10. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Kenneth L. Peek Jr". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  11. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Donald O. Aldridge". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  12. "Biographies : Lieutenant General Leo W. Smith II". Af.mil. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  13. Command Historian's Office. Headquarters Strategic Air Command Key Personnel, 1946–1992 (Vice Commanders-in-Chief). Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska . Retrieved 2012-02-16.