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AFGSC Commander nominated to position at USSTRATCOM

  • Published
  • By Air Force Global Strike Command
  • Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced today that the President has nominated Air Force Global Strike Command Commander, Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski, for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

General Kowalski entered active duty in 1980 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He has held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing and an air control wing.

Nominated to replace him as AFGSC commander is Maj. Gen. Stephen W. Wilson, who is currently serving as commander, Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Wilson has also been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general.

Wilson received his commission from Texas A&M University in 1981. He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing level. His previous command was the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia, where he led bomber; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; mobility; aeromedical evacuation; and airborne command and control operations supporting Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

Prior to his current assignment, the general was the Director for Joint Integration, Directorate of Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He performed a key management role in the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process as the Air Force representative on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Capabilities Board, which develops and evaluates uniformed services and joint modernization programs on behalf of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council.

Nominations will now go to the Senate for confirmation.