List of commanders of USAFE


The commander, United States Air Forces Europe is the most senior officer and head of the United States air forces in Europe. In October 2025, it was reported that the post will be downgraded from a four-star rank to three-star. This is in line with the Department of War directive to reduce general and flag officer positions.

List of USAFE commanders

#PhotoNameDatesNotes
–2025–present
392022–2025
382019-2022
372016-2019
362013-2016
352012-2013
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 2011–2012.
  • Commander, U.S. European Command/Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 2013–2016.
    • 342010-2012
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 2012–2016.
    • 332008-2010
    322005-2007
    312003-2005
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 2001–2003.
    • 302000-2003
  • Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, 2003–2005.
    • 291997-2000
  • Commander, Air Combat Command, 2000–2001.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 2001–2005.
    • 281996-1997
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1997–2001.
    • 271995-1996
  • Commander, Air Combat Command, 1996–1999.
    • 261994-1995
    251990-1994
    241989-1990
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1990.
  • Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, 1990–1991.
    • 231987-1989
    221984-1987
    211982-1984
    201980-1982
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1982–1986.
    • 191978-1980
    181977-1978
  • Commander, Air Force Systems Command, 1975–1977.
    • 171975-1977
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1973–1975.
  • Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command, 1977–1981.
    • 161974-1975
  • Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1972–1973.
  • Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces, 1973–1974.
    • 151971-1974
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1974–1978.
  • Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1978–1982.
    • 141969-1971
    131968-1969
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1972–1973.
    • 121966-1968
    111965–1966
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1966–1968.
  • Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command, 1968–1972.
    • 101963-1965
  • Commander, Tactical Air Command, 1965–1968.
    • 91961-1963
    81959-1961
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1961–1962.
    • 71957-1959
  • Commander, Tactical Air Command, 1959–1961.
    • 61953-1957
    51951-1953
  • Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, 1952–1962.
    • 41948-1951
  • Commanding General, Tactical Air Command, 1951–1954.
    • 31947-1948
  • Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command, 1955–1957.
  • Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1957–1961.
  • Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, 1961–1965.
    • 21946-1947
    11945-1946