William M. Fraser III

William M. Fraser III
William M. Fraser III
	General William M. Fraser III
Born	August 17, 1952 (age 72); Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1974–2014
Rank	General
Commands	United States Transportation Command ; Air Combat Command ; Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force ; 2nd Bomb Wing ; 28th Bomb Wing ; 509th Operations Group
Battles/wars	Operation Southern Watch ; Operation Desert Thunder; Operation Allied Force ; War in Afghanistan
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2); Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (3); Defense Superior Service Medal (3); Legion of Merit (3)

Last updated August 26, 2024

General William M. Fraser III (born August 17, 1952)^[2] is a retired United States Air Force officer who served as Commander, United States Transportation Command. He previously served as Commander, Air Combat Command from September 10, 2009 to September 30, 2011, the 34th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 9 October 2008 to 27 August 2009, and as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from May 2006 to 8 October 2008. As the Assistant to the CJCS, Fraser oversaw matters requiring close personal control by the Chairman, with particular focus on international relations and politico-military concerns. As commander of United States Transportation Command, Fraser was in charge of managing all global air, land and sea transportation. He retired on May 5, 2014.

After retiring from the Air Force, Fraser and Duncan McNabb attempted to cash in on consulting contracts with Azerbaijani cargo carrier Silk Way Airlines in 2014, with both standing to make $5,000 a day. However, their business ventures in Azerbaijan were flagged and ultimately blocked by the United States Department of Defense and State Department, considering their requests to be a threat to national security and a potential embarrassment if the information was ever made public. Documents of the dispute were eventually reported by The Washington Post in 2022.^[3]

Military career

Fraser entered the United States Air Force in 1974 as a distinguished graduate of the Texas A&M University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. His operational assignments include duty as a T-37 Tweet instructor pilot and evaluator; B-52 Stratofortress aircraft commander, instructor and evaluator; and deputy commander of a B-1 Lancer operations group. General Fraser was the first Commander of the 509th Operations Group, then served as the Vice Wing Commander for the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. He commanded the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La. His staff duties include tours on the Air Staff, Joint Staff and Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt AFB, Neb. He has also served as Chief of the Nuclear Requirements Cell at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and Chief of Staff for United States Strategic Command.

Fraser has extensive wartime, contingency and humanitarian relief operational experience. While serving as the special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, he orchestrated the deployment and operations of JSTARS in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, and also provided direct support to Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq. Additionally, he oversaw the deployment of forces and subsequent withdrawal of 2,444 foreign and United States citizens from Liberia during Operation Assured Response. While commanding the 28th Bomb Wing, he conducted the first-ever deployment of B-1s as part of Operation Desert Thunder in Southwest Asia. He later commanded the 2nd Bomb Wing when they deployed B-52s for combat during Operation Noble Anvil and Operation Allied Force. The wing also deployed 300 personnel throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operation Southern Watch. As Deputy Director for Military Support, he led an intelligence fusion organization providing direct support to Operation Enduring Freedom.

Education

1974 Bachelor of Science degree in engineering technology, Texas A&M University
1977 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1980 Master of Science degree in management information systems, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
1983 Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va.
1985 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
1987 National Security Management Course, Syracuse University, N.Y.
1991 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1995 Executive Development Program, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
1999 Combined Force Air Component Commander Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1999 Senior Information Warfare Applications Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2000 National Security Leadership Course, National Security Studies, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, N.Y.
2002 Executive Program for Russian and U.S. General Officers, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2002 Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 Senior Intelligence Fellows Program
2003 Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2005 Leadership at the Peak, Center for Creative Leadership, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2013 Pinnacle, Norfolk, Va.

Assignments

November 1974 – October 1975, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Ariz.
October 1975 – March 1976, student, instructor pilot training, Randolph AFB, Texas
March 1976 – February 1978, T-37 instructor pilot and T-37 check pilot, 96th Flying Training Squadron, Williams AFB, Ariz.
March 1978 – March 1980, T-37 instructor pilot and flight examiner, 82nd Flying Training Wing, Williams AFB, Ariz.
March 1980 – October 1980, Operational Support Aircraft Program Element Monitor, Air Staff Training Program, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
October 1980 – April 1981, Worldwide Military Command, Control and Communications Program Element Monitor, Air Staff Training Program, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
May 1981 – October 1981, B-52H student, 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Castle AFB, Calif.
October 1981 – March 1983, B-52H aircraft commander, later B-52G aircraft commander and instructor pilot, 46th Bomb Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
March 1983 – December 1984, Chief, B-52G Standardization and Evaluation Branch, 319th Bomb Wing, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
January 1985 – June 1985, student, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
June 1985 – March 1986, Chief, European Single Integrated Operational Plan Tactics, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, Offutt AFB, Neb.
April 1986 – October 1987, executive officer to the SAC Chief of Staff, Headquarters SAC, Offutt AFB, Neb.
October 1987 – July 1990, Chief, Nuclear Requirements Cell, SHAPE, Mons, Belgium
July 1990 – July 1991, student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
July 1991 – July 1993, Deputy Commander, 384th Operations Group, McConnell AFB, Kan.
July 1993 – January 1995, Commander, 509th Operations Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
January 1995 – August 1995, Vice Commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
August 1995 – January 1997, special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, SHAPE, Mons, Belgium
February 1997 – May 1998, Commander, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
May 1998 – May 1999, Chief of Staff, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
May 1999 – December 2000, Commander, 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, La.
December 2000 – December 2002, Deputy Director for National Systems Operations, the Joint Staff; Director, Defense Space Reconnaissance Program; and Deputy Director for Military Support, National Reconnaissance Office, Washington, D.C.
January 2003 – October 2004, Director of Operations, Headquarters AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas
November 2004 – February 2005, special assistant to the Commander, Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center, Deputy Chief of Staff for Warfighting Integration, Langley AFB, Va.
February 2005 – May 2006, Vice Commander, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
May 2006 – October 2008, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
October 2008 – September 2009, Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
September 2009 – September 2011, Commander, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va., and Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command
October 2011 – May 2014, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott AFB, Ill.

Flight information

Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,200
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, T-1, KC-135R, B-1B, B-2A, B-52G/H and C-21

Awards and decorations

	US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
	Command Space and Missile Badge
	Joint Chiefs of Staff Badge
	United States Transportation Command Badge

	Defense Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Defense Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Achievement Medal
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with bronze oak leaf cluster
	National Intelligence Medal of Achievement
	Secretary's Distinguished Service Award
	National Reconnaissance Office Distinguished Service Medal (Gold Medal)
	Combat Readiness Medal
	Air Force Recognition Ribbon
	National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal
	Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
	Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
	Air Force Training Ribbon
	Order of Viesturs, Military Grand Cross (Latvia)

Other achievements

Officer training award, undergraduate pilot training
Top graduate, T-37 pilot instructor training
T-37 Instructor Pilot of the Year
Distinguished graduate, B-52 G/H combat crew training
Air Force Public Affairs Directors Special Achievement Award for commander support
Joseph A. Moller Award, Outstanding Wing Commander, ACC
Honorary Tuskegee Airman
Order of the Sword, Air Combat Command
Air Force 2013 Gray Eagle

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions
Insignia	Rank	Date
	General	October 8, 2008
	Lieutenant General	February 3, 2005
	Major General	October 1, 2003
	Brigadier General	January 1, 2000
	Colonel	January 1, 1992
	Lieutenant Colonel	June 1, 1988
	Major	October 1, 1983
	Captain	November 8, 1978
	First Lieutenant	November 8, 1976
	Second Lieutenant	November 8, 1974

Related Research Articles

Major General Susan Yvonne Desjardins is a retired major general in the United States Air Force. She last served as director of plans and policy (J5), Headquarters U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

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.

Gregory A. Biscone is a retired lieutenant general of the U.S. Air Force. He last served as the Inspector General of the Air Force assigned within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C., and retired on 1 July 2016.

Donald Graham Cook is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as commander, Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas from 2001 to 2005.

<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.

Major General Garrett Harencak is the Commander of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service. Previously, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U. S. Air Force. Prior this position, Harencak served as commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Air Force Materiel Command at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The AFNWC is responsible for the entire scope of U.S. Air Force nuclear weapons support functions and in addition to its headquarters at Kirtland, comprises several other units in the U.S and abroad.

Sandra E. Finan was the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) and Information Infrastructure Capabilities, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Herbert Jay "Hawk" Carlisle is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the commander of Air Combat Command, at Langley Field, Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. He also previously served as the commander of Pacific Air Forces while concurrently serving as air component commander for United States Pacific Command and executive director of Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. He officially retired from the Air Force on May 1, 2017, with 39 years of service.

Stephen W. "Seve" Wilson is a retired United States Air Force four-star general, who last served as the 39th vice chief of staff of the Air Force. He previously served as the deputy commander of United States Strategic Command. Prior to that, he served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. In his capacity as commander of Air Force Global Strike Command his responsibilities included organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining all United States ICBM and nuclear-capable bomber forces. Prior to his current assignment, Wilson served as Commander, Eighth Air Force. Wilson was the longest serving vice chief of staff in Air Force history. He had his retirement ceremony on November 13, 2020 and retired effective December 31, 2020. Wilson serves on the Board of Directors of BAE Systems, the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems PLC Board. He also serves as a advisor to New Vista Capital.

Timothy Michael Ray is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command from August 21, 2018, to August 27, 2021. He concurrently served as the commander of Air Forces Strategic – Air, United States Strategic Command. His two previous assignments were as the Deputy Commander, United States European Command, and as the Commander, Third Air Force. He previously served as the director of global power programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C.

John A. Bradley was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who served as Commander of the United States Air Force Reserve Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., and commander, Headquarters Air Force Reserve, a separate operating agency located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. As chief of Air Force Reserve, he served as the principal adviser on Reserve matters to the Air Force Chief of Staff. As commander of AFRES, he had full responsibility for the supervision of U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world.

James Michael Holmes is a retired United States Air Force general. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements at Headquarters United States Air Force in Washington, D.C., before he became the commander of Air Combat Command on March 10, 2017. He was succeeded by Mark D. Kelly and retired effective 1 October 2020.

Anthony James Rock is a retired lieutenant general of the U.S. Air Force and last served as the Inspector General of the Air Force assigned within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Brett T. Williams is a retired United States Air Force major general who served as director of operations for U.S. Cyber Command from July 2012 to June 2014. He retired from the Air Force on June 1, 2014.

Jeffrey Lee Harrigian is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the commander of United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa from May 2020 to June 2022. He concurrently served as the commander of Allied Air Command and director of the Joint Air Power Competence Center. He previously served as deputy commander and as commander of United States Air Forces Central Command. Raised in Sparks, Nevada, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in International Affairs and was commissioned in 1985. He assumed his capstone assignment on May 1, 2019.

Andrea D. Tullos is a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who serves as the commander and president of the Air University. She previously served as deputy commander of the Air Education and Training Command. She has also commanded the Second Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base. In April 2021, she was assigned to become the deputy commander of the Air Education and Training Command, replacing Major General William A. Spangenthal. In May 2022, she was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the commander and president of Air University.

Brook Jason Leonard is a retired United States Air Force major general who last served as the deputy commander and director of operations of Combined Joint Task Force–Space Operations. He previously served as the chief of staff of the United States Space Command. A fighter pilot, he has commanded the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, 56th Fighter Wing, and 51st Fighter Wing.

Devin Ruben Pepper is a United States Space Force brigadier general who served as commander of Buckley Garrison, 460th Space Wing, and the 21st Operations Group. He is the first African American general officer in the Space Force and the first one to have enlisted before commissioning as an officer.

Scott L. Pleus is a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. He serves as the director of staff of the United States Air Force, where he synchronizes and integrates policy, plans, positions, procedures, and cross functional issues for the headquarters Air Force staff.

Lance Keith Landrum is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the 23rd Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee from 2021 to 2023. He most recently served as a special assistant to the commander of the United States European Command and prior to that served as the Director of Operations (J3) for United States European Command from July 2020 to July 2021.

References

↑ "NOMINATIONS BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, FIRST SESSION, 112TH CONGRESS" (PDF). Fas.org. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
↑ Marquis Who's Who on the Web
↑ Whitlock, Craig; Jones, Nate (December 5, 2022). "FEARING SCANDAL, AIR FORCE BLOCKED GENERALS' FOREIGN CONSULTING DEALS". The Washington Post . Retrieved December 6, 2022.

External links

This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force
Official U.S. Air Force Biography at archive.today (archived 2012-12-12)

Military offices
Preceded by Raymond T. Odierno	Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 2006-2008	Succeeded by Paul J. Selva
Preceded by Duncan McNabb	Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force 2008–2009	Succeeded by Carrol Chandler
Preceded by John D. W. Corley	Commander of the Air Combat Command 2009–2011	Succeeded by Gilmary M. Hostage III
Preceded by Duncan McNabb	Commander of the United States Transportation Command 2011–2014	Succeeded by Paul J. Selva

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] "NOMINATIONS BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, FIRST SESSION, 112TH CONGRESS" (PDF). Fas.org. Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[2] Marquis Who's Who on the Web

[3] Whitlock, Craig; Jones, Nate (December 5, 2022). "FEARING SCANDAL, AIR FORCE BLOCKED GENERALS' FOREIGN CONSULTING DEALS". The Washington Post . Retrieved December 6, 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

William M. Fraser III
General William M. Fraser III
Born	(1952-08-17) August 17, 1952 (age 72) Lakeland, Florida, U.S.^[1]
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1974–2014
Rank	General
Commands	United States Transportation Command Air Combat Command Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing 28th Bomb Wing 509th Operations Group
Battles/wars	Operation Southern Watch Operation Desert Thunder Operation Allied Force War in Afghanistan
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (3)