Margaret H. Woodward

Last updated
Margaret Woodward
Margaret H. Woodward (3).jpg
Born1960 (age 6364)
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service / branchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Years of service1982–2014
Rank US-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Commands 17th Air Force
89th Airlift Wing
Battles / wars Invasion of Panama
Operation Allied Force
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Iraq War
Operation Odyssey Dawn

Margaret H. Woodward (born 1960) is an American former military officer and major general in the United States Air Force.

Contents

As commander of the 17th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, she was responsible for all US air actions that involved Africa. [1] In March 2011, she commanded the air component of the US contribution to the no-fly zone over Libya, sanctioned by the United Nations, making her the first woman to oversee a U.S. combat air campaign. [2]

She retired on April 1, 2014.

Early life and education

Woodward was born in 1960 and grew up in India and Pakistan, where her father worked for the United States Agency for International Development. [3] She left the region when she was about ten years old. [3]

Career

In 1982, Woodward graduated from the Arizona State University and joined the U.S. Air Force the year after. [1] [3] For most of her career she flew aerial refueling aircraft such as the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, [3] though she also has experience in the Boeing C-40 Clipper, the C-37 military version of the Gulfstream G550, and the T-37 and T-38 trainers. [1] She was involved the U.S. invasion of Panama, Operation Allied Force, Operations Northern and Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and missions during the Iraq War. [1] [3]

In 2007, she became commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, which includes responsibility for Air Force One, and in June 2010 became commander of the Seventeenth Air Force, the U.S. Air Force branch of the United States Africa Command. [1] [3] As such, she was the operational commander for the U.S. involvement in the 2011 military intervention in Libya, dubbed Operation Odyssey Dawn, [3] before command of the whole operation was transferred to NATO.

After handing over command of Seventeenth Air Force, she was posted Stateside. Her Air Force official profile lists her appointments since as:

Education

Awards and decorations

COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Headquarters US Air Force Badge.png Headquarters Air Force Badge
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Meritorious Service ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg Combat Readiness Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
AFEMRib.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
KosovoRib.svg Kosovo Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Air Force Training Ribbon

Promotions

List of promotions Woodward has received during her career: [1]

Promotions
US-O8 insignia.svg Major General 2011
US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General 2008
US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel 2002
US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant Colonel 1998
US-O4 insignia.svg Major 1994
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain 1986
US-OF1A.svg First Lieutenant 1984
US-OF1B.svg Second Lieutenant 1982

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "MAJOR GENERAL MARGARET H. WOODWARD". US Air Force. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  2. "Woodward First Woman to Command U.S. Air Attack in Libya 'No-Fly' Mission". Bloomberg. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Thompson, Mark (April 2011). "Air Boss". Time Magazine (April 18): 28.