Electronic Systems Center
Encyclopedia
Electronic Systems Center is a product center of Air Force Materiel Command
(AFMC) headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base
, Massachusetts
. Its mission is to develop and acquire command and control
, communications, computer, and intelligence systems. ESC consists of professional teams specializing in engineering
, computer science
, and business management
. The teams supervise the design, development, testing, production, and deployment of command and control systems. Two of ESC's most well-known developments were the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), developed in the 1970s, and the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
(JointSTARS), developed in the 1980s.
The Electronic Systems Center recently entered its fifth decade as the Air Force’s organization for developing and acquiring Command and Control
(C2) systems. As of December 2004, ESC manages approximately two hundred programs ranging from secure communications systems to mission planning systems. ESC has an annual budget of over $3 billion and more than eighty-seven hundred personnel. In addition to the Air Force, ESC works with other branches of the U.S. military
, the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and foreign governments.
Due to restructuring within the Air Force Materiel Command
, ESC will be inactivated no later than 1 October, 2012.
in Bedford, MA. ESD was placed under the newly-established Air Force Systems Command
.
The Electronic Systems Division had emerged after a decade of efforts to meet a major post-war threat to the North America
n continent—attack by long-range, nuclear-armed bombers. At Hanscom Field, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
’s new Lincoln Laboratory
(1951) and later the MITRE Corporation
(1958) had worked to bring the Semi Automatic Ground Environment
(SAGE) air defense system to completion. The pioneering integrated RADAR
and computer technology that was developed for SAGE also contributed significantly to the development of air traffic control
systems.
ESD had an original portfolio of thirteen Command, Control and Communications (C3) systems. The appearance of ballistic missile
s to carry nuclear warheads spurred a second wave of defense efforts—the construction of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
(BMEWS) and a survivable new command center for the North American Air Defense Command deep under Cheyenne Mountain
in Colorado. New weapons systems and space platforms led to enlarged ESD C3 programs.
ESD’s first RADAR
systems were ground-based, but in the 1960s the organization expanded into airborne RADAR
systems. In overcoming the “ground clutter” problem, the 1970s Airborne Warning and Control System
(AWACS) represented a technological achievement for airspace surveillance. It was joined in the later 1980s by the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
(Joint STARS). While still under development, Joint STARS
was pressed into service for the Gulf War
to monitor movement on the battlefield. Other ESD programs focused on creating secure communications systems, air defense systems for allied nations, command centers, intelligence data transmission, air traffic control systems, and computer-based training systems.
In 1992, the Air Force Systems Command
and the Air Force Logistics Command
were merged to form the Air Force Materiel Command
(AFMC). ESD was re-designated the Electronic Systems Center (ESC), and the organization was placed under the new AFMC. Two years later, ESC was enlarged to become the AFMC Center of Excellence for Command and Control, with headquarters at Hanscom. Several geographically-separated units were added to the Center. Currently, the 66th Air Base Wing
, 350th Electronic Systems Wing, 551st Electronic Systems Wing
, 554th Electronic Systems Wing
, and 653rd Electronic Systems Wing all report to the ESC Commander.
Since the later years of the Cold War
, ESC has worked to upgrade its key RADAR
, command center, and communications systems. The decade of the 1990s presented new challenges for the expanded Center in the form of regional conflicts, joint and coalition engagements, terrorism, and asymmetric warfare
. In response, ESC developed programs to work towards integration and interoperability in C2 systems. By presenting systems in action via several interactive C2 demonstrations, ESC engaged in ongoing dialogue with its customers. The Center then undertook a major restructure of its acquisition processes starting in 1996. “Spiral development
” was introduced to achieve state-of-the-art systems in a timely, flexible, and cost-effective approach.
The pace of these initiatives had gained momentum by the turn of the century. Center programs developed automated systems for Air Tasking Order
s, weather, mission planning, and management information, together with enhanced force protection
for Air Force personnel on the ground. For the series of Joint Expeditionary Force Experiments (JEFX) starting in 1998, ESC managed the insertion of new C2 and information technology. At the same time, its work on standardizing C2 infrastructure and creating architectures laid the groundwork for further system integration.
In 2001, the Air Force gave ESC the lead responsibility to integrate its command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems—the C2 Enterprise Integration. Integrated C2ISR
capabilities will enable the development of network-centric warfare
and provide an asymmetric force advantage. Today, ESC is pursuing a major initiative to standardize and upgrade C2ISR capabilities at Air Operations Center
s, with the goal of realizing the Aerospace Operations Center of the future.
Due to a major Air Force Materiel Command
(AFMC) restructuring announced on 2 November 2011, ESC will be inactivated no later than 1 October 2012. The role of ESC, along with the Aeronautical Systems Center
(ASC) and the Air Armament Center
(AAC), will be consolidated into the new Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (LCMC). This, along with other measures, will save up to $109 million dollars for the Air Force annually. The new LCMC will be headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and will be commanded by a lieutenant general. The highest ranking officer at Hanscom AFB after the reorganization will be a major general, who will be the Program Executive Officer
for the C3I and Networks AFPEO. The main purpose of the restructure is to eliminate excess headquarter and staff type positions throughout AFMC.
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
(AFMC) headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of Bedford, Massachusetts. The facility is a joint use civil airport/military base with Hanscom Field which provides general aviation and charter service.The host unit at Hanscom is the non-flying...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Its mission is to develop and acquire command and control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
, communications, computer, and intelligence systems. ESC consists of professional teams specializing in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, and business management
Project management
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
. The teams supervise the design, development, testing, production, and deployment of command and control systems. Two of ESC's most well-known developments were the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), developed in the 1970s, and the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
E-8 Joint STARS
The Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a battle management and command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force...
(JointSTARS), developed in the 1980s.
The Electronic Systems Center recently entered its fifth decade as the Air Force’s organization for developing and acquiring Command and Control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
(C2) systems. As of December 2004, ESC manages approximately two hundred programs ranging from secure communications systems to mission planning systems. ESC has an annual budget of over $3 billion and more than eighty-seven hundred personnel. In addition to the Air Force, ESC works with other branches of the U.S. military
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
, the North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command is a joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries. Headquarters NORAD is located at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado...
(NORAD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and foreign governments.
Due to restructuring within the Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
, ESC will be inactivated no later than 1 October, 2012.
History
ESC was originally activated as the Electronic Systems Division (ESD) on 1 April 1961 at Laurence G. Hanscom FieldHanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of Bedford, Massachusetts. The facility is a joint use civil airport/military base with Hanscom Field which provides general aviation and charter service.The host unit at Hanscom is the non-flying...
in Bedford, MA. ESD was placed under the newly-established Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
.
The Electronic Systems Division had emerged after a decade of efforts to meet a major post-war threat to the North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n continent—attack by long-range, nuclear-armed bombers. At Hanscom Field, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
’s new Lincoln Laboratory
Lincoln Laboratory
MIT Lincoln Laboratory, located in Lexington, Massachusetts, is a United States Department of Defense research and development center chartered to apply advanced technology to problems of national security. Research and development activities focus on long-term technology development as well as...
(1951) and later the MITRE Corporation
MITRE
The Mitre Corporation is a not-for-profit organization based in Bedford, Massachusetts and McLean, Virginia...
(1958) had worked to bring the Semi Automatic Ground Environment
Semi Automatic Ground Environment
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment was an automated control system for tracking and intercepting enemy bomber aircraft used by NORAD from the late 1950s into the 1980s...
(SAGE) air defense system to completion. The pioneering integrated RADAR
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
and computer technology that was developed for SAGE also contributed significantly to the development of air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
systems.
ESD had an original portfolio of thirteen Command, Control and Communications (C3) systems. The appearance of ballistic missile
Ballistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
s to carry nuclear warheads spurred a second wave of defense efforts—the construction of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
Ballistic Missile Early Warning System
The United States Air Force Ballistic Missile Early Warning System was the first operational ballistic missile detection radar. The original system was built in 1959 and could provide long-range warning of a ballistic missile attack over the polar region of the Northern Hemisphere. They also...
(BMEWS) and a survivable new command center for the North American Air Defense Command deep under Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain
Cheyenne Mountain is a mountain located just outside the southwest side of Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., and is home to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and its Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, formerly known as the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center .Throughout the Cold War and...
in Colorado. New weapons systems and space platforms led to enlarged ESD C3 programs.
ESD’s first RADAR
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
systems were ground-based, but in the 1960s the organization expanded into airborne RADAR
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
systems. In overcoming the “ground clutter” problem, the 1970s Airborne Warning and Control System
E-3 Sentry
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system developed by Boeing as the prime contractor. Derived from the Boeing 707, it provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications, and is used by the United States Air Force , NATO, Royal Air Force , French Air Force...
(AWACS) represented a technological achievement for airspace surveillance. It was joined in the later 1980s by the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System
E-8 Joint STARS
The Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a battle management and command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force...
(Joint STARS). While still under development, Joint STARS
E-8 Joint STARS
The Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System is a battle management and command and control aircraft of the United States Air Force...
was pressed into service for the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
to monitor movement on the battlefield. Other ESD programs focused on creating secure communications systems, air defense systems for allied nations, command centers, intelligence data transmission, air traffic control systems, and computer-based training systems.
In 1992, the Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
and the Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command was a United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio...
were merged to form the Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
(AFMC). ESD was re-designated the Electronic Systems Center (ESC), and the organization was placed under the new AFMC. Two years later, ESC was enlarged to become the AFMC Center of Excellence for Command and Control, with headquarters at Hanscom. Several geographically-separated units were added to the Center. Currently, the 66th Air Base Wing
66th Air Base Wing
The 66th Air Base Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Air Force Materiel Command Electronic Systems Center, stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts...
, 350th Electronic Systems Wing, 551st Electronic Systems Wing
551st Electronic Systems Wing
The 551st Electronic Systems Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force whose focus is on 'behind the scenes' electronic work...
, 554th Electronic Systems Wing
554th Electronic Systems Wing
The 554th Electronic Systems Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force located at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.The 554th Electronic Systems Wing's precursor organization was deactivated on Nov. 1, 1991, as the 554th Operations Support Wing...
, and 653rd Electronic Systems Wing all report to the ESC Commander.
Since the later years of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, ESC has worked to upgrade its key RADAR
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
, command center, and communications systems. The decade of the 1990s presented new challenges for the expanded Center in the form of regional conflicts, joint and coalition engagements, terrorism, and asymmetric warfare
Asymmetric warfare
Asymmetric warfare is war between belligerents whose relative military power differs significantly, or whose strategy or tactics differ significantly....
. In response, ESC developed programs to work towards integration and interoperability in C2 systems. By presenting systems in action via several interactive C2 demonstrations, ESC engaged in ongoing dialogue with its customers. The Center then undertook a major restructure of its acquisition processes starting in 1996. “Spiral development
Spiral model
The spiral model is a software development process combining elements of both design and prototyping-in-stages, in an effort to combine advantages of top-down and bottom-up concepts. Also known as the spiral lifecycle model , it is a systems development method used in information technology...
” was introduced to achieve state-of-the-art systems in a timely, flexible, and cost-effective approach.
The pace of these initiatives had gained momentum by the turn of the century. Center programs developed automated systems for Air Tasking Order
Air tasking order
An air tasking order is a means by which the Joint Forces Air Component Commander controls air forces within a joint operations environment. The ATO is a large document written in United States Message Text Format that lists air sorties for a fixed 24-hour period, with individual call signs,...
s, weather, mission planning, and management information, together with enhanced force protection
Force protection
Force protection or FP is a term used by the US military to describe preventive measures taken to mitigate hostile actions in specific areas or against a specific populous, usually Department of Defense personnel , resources, facilities, and critical information.-See also:*Pentagon Force Protection...
for Air Force personnel on the ground. For the series of Joint Expeditionary Force Experiments (JEFX) starting in 1998, ESC managed the insertion of new C2 and information technology. At the same time, its work on standardizing C2 infrastructure and creating architectures laid the groundwork for further system integration.
In 2001, the Air Force gave ESC the lead responsibility to integrate its command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems—the C2 Enterprise Integration. Integrated C2ISR
C4ISTAR
In military usage, a number of abbreviations in the format C followed by additional letters are used, based on expanded versions of the abbreviation C2 - command and control.C2I stands for command, control, and intelligence....
capabilities will enable the development of network-centric warfare
Network-centric warfare
Network-centric warfare, also called network-centric operations, is a military doctrine or theory of war pioneered by the United States Department of Defense in the 1990's....
and provide an asymmetric force advantage. Today, ESC is pursuing a major initiative to standardize and upgrade C2ISR capabilities at Air Operations Center
Air Operations Center
An Air and Space Operations Center is a type of command center used by the United States Air Force. It is the senior agency of the Air Force component commander to provide command and control of air and space operations....
s, with the goal of realizing the Aerospace Operations Center of the future.
Due to a major Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
(AFMC) restructuring announced on 2 November 2011, ESC will be inactivated no later than 1 October 2012. The role of ESC, along with the Aeronautical Systems Center
Aeronautical Systems Center
The Aeronautical Systems Center is an Air Force product center that designs, develops and delivers dominant aerospace weapon systems and capabilities for U.S. Air Force, other U.S. military, allied and coalition-partner warfighters, in support of Air Force leadership priorities...
(ASC) and the Air Armament Center
Air Armament Center
The Air Armament Center is responsible for development, acquisition, testing, and deployment of all air-delivered weapons for the U.S. Air Force...
(AAC), will be consolidated into the new Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (LCMC). This, along with other measures, will save up to $109 million dollars for the Air Force annually. The new LCMC will be headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and will be commanded by a lieutenant general. The highest ranking officer at Hanscom AFB after the reorganization will be a major general, who will be the Program Executive Officer
Program Executive Officer
A Program Executive Officer, or PEO, is one of a few key individuals in the United States military acquisition process. As can be seen from the examples below, a Program Executive Officer may be responsible for a specific program , or for an entire portfolio of similar programs A Program Executive...
for the C3I and Networks AFPEO. The main purpose of the restructure is to eliminate excess headquarter and staff type positions throughout AFMC.
List of ESD/ESC Commanders
| Officer | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... Kenneth P. Bergquist Kenneth P. Bergquist (United States Air Force) Kenneth P. Bergquist was an officer of the United States Air Force, and its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces, who ultimately attained the rank of Major General.-Biography:... |
1 April 1961 - 16 February 1962 |
| Brig Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... /Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... Charles H. Terhune, Jr |
16 February 1962 - 15 July 1964 |
| Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... John W. O'Neill |
15 July 1964 - 1 July 1967 |
| Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... John B. Bestic |
1 July 1967 - 31 July 1968 |
| Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... Joseph J. Cody, Jr |
1 August 1968 - 29 October 1971 |
| Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... Albert R. Sheily, Jr |
29 October 1971 - 29 March 1974 |
| Maj Gen Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... Benjamin N. Bellis |
29 March 1974 - 11 October 1974 |
| Maj Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... /Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Wilbur L. Creech |
11 October 1974 - 2 May 1977 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Robert T. Marsh Robert T. Marsh Robert T. Marsh is a retired United States Air Force four star general who served as Commander, Air Force Systems Command from 1981 to 1984.-Military career:... |
2 May 1977 - 28 January 1981 |
| Maj Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... /Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... James W. Stansberry James W. Stansberry Lieutenant General James W. Stansberry was commander of the Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.... |
28 January 1981 - 25 July 1984 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Melvin F. Chubb, Jr |
25 July 1984 - 30 September 1988 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Gordon E. Fornell |
30 September 1988 - 29 October 1993 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Charles E. Franklin |
29 October 1993 - 16 August 1996 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Ronald T. Kadish Ronald T. Kadish Lt. Gen. Ronald T. Kadish, Ret. is a United States Air Force officer who rose to head the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the Missile Defense Agency within the United States Department of Defense.... |
16 August 1996 – 10 June 1999 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Leslie F. Kenne Leslie F. Kenne Leslie F. Kenne was a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force.-Military career:Kenne was Deputy Chief of Staff for Warfighting Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C... |
10 June 1999 – 17 April 2002 |
| Brig Gen Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... Robert H. Latiff (Interim Commander) |
17 April 2002 - 28 May 2002 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... William R. Looney III William R. Looney III General William R. Looney III, USAF was the 28th Commander, Air Education and Training Command , Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. As commander, he was responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force personnel. His command included the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered... |
28 May 2002 - 8 December 2003 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Charles L. Johnson II |
8 December 2003 – November 2007 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Ted F. Bowlds |
November 2007 - 1 September 2011 |
| Lt Gen Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... Charles R. Davis |
1 September 2011 – Present |