Jacqueline Van Ovost

Jacqueline Desiree Van Ovost (born September 29, 1965)[1] is a United States Air Force general who has served as the 14th commander of the United States Transportation Command since October 15, 2021. She was nominated to that post by President Biden on March 5, 2021.[2] Van Ovost had previously served as the commander of the Air Mobility Command from August 2020 to October 2021. In early 2021, she was the only active-duty female four-star general officer in the United States.[3]

Jacqueline Van Ovost
Born (1965-09-29) September 29, 1965
Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1988–present
RankGeneral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards
Alma materUnited States Air Force Academy (BS)
California State University, Fresno (MS)
Air University (MMAS, MS)

Education

Van Ovost received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. Immediately commissioning into the US Air Force, she attended U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and graduated in 1994. Van Ovost holds master's degrees from California State University, Fresno in mechanical engineering (1996), from Air Command and Staff College in military arts and sciences (1999), and from Air War College in strategic studies (2004).[4]

Military career
Van Ovost flying a Boeing KC-46A Pegasus, February 6, 2021.
Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson at the Oval Office, White House, March 10, 2021.
Van Ovost assumes command of USTRANSCOM from General Stephen R. Lyons on October 15, 2021.

Early career

Van Ovost was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and is a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours in more than 30 aircraft, including the C-32A, C-17A, C-141B, and KC-135R. Van Ovost's notable military assignments include Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center (2012–13), Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe, NATO, Russia) in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) of the Joint Staff (2013–15), Vice Director for the Joint Staff (2015-17), Director of Staff at Headquarters Air Force (2017-2020), and Deputy Commander of Air Mobility Command (April 2020-August 2020).[4]

Air Mobility Command

On July 20, 2020, the Senate confirmed Van Ovost as commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC), a major command (MAJCOM) of the Air Force; Van Ovost also gained her fourth-star.[5] She replaced retiring AMC commanding Gen. Maryanne Miller, under whom she served as AMC's deputy commander, on August 20, 2020.[6] Van Ovost served as AMC Commander until she relinquished command on October 5, 2021.[2] In preparation for her expected confirmation as TRANSCOM head, President Biden nominated United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) deputy commander Lt. Gen. Michael Minihan to replace Van Ovost as AMC commander.[7]

Transportation Command nomination

On March 6, 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that President Biden had nominated Van Ovost to become commander of United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM).[8] Her nomination was sent to the Senate on March 5, 2021.[9] Her nomination was originally recommended by then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, but Esper later delayed it until after the 2020 United States presidential election due to his concerns of the Trump administration's possible reaction against nominating women to such high leadership positions.[10][11] Van Ovost's nomination hearings to head TRANSCOM were held before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 23, 2021.[12][13][14] She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on October 1, 2021 and assumed command on October 15, 2021, becoming the second woman to lead a unified combatant command after General Lori Robinson.[15][16]

Awards and decorations
U.S. Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Headquarters Air Force Badge
United States Transportation Command Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges
 Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges. Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Bronze star
 Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Effective dates of promotion
InsigniaRankDate
GeneralAug. 20, 2020
Lieutenant generalNov. 8, 2017
Major generalMay 22, 2015
Brigadier generalAug. 2, 2012
ColonelDec. 1, 2006
Lieutenant colonelMay 1, 2001
MajorAug. 1, 1998
CaptainJune 1, 1992
First lieutenantJune 1, 1990
Second lieutenantJune 1, 1988

[4]

References
  • Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Jacqueline Van Ovost. United States Air Force. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  1. "Brig Gen Jacqueline D. Van Ovost". Military Hall of Honor. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  2. Everstine, Brian W. (March 8, 2021). "Van Ovost Tapped to Lead TRANSCOM, New Bosses Named for SOUTHCOM and INDOPACOM". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. "Van Ovost Sworn in as AMC Boss, Becoming Military's Only Female Four Star". airforcemag.com.
  4. "General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost". Biographies. United States Air Force. February 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  5. Everstine, Brian W. (July 24, 2020). "Senate Confirms New Bosses of AMC, ACC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  6. Losey, Stephen (August 21, 2020). "Gen. Van Ovost takes the reins at Air Mobility Command". Air Force Times. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  7. Cohen, Rachel (July 15, 2021). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Air Force Times. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  8. "General Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  9. "PN237 — Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost — Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  10. Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene (2021-02-17). "Promotions for Female Generals Were Delayed Over Fears of Trump's Reaction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  11. Everstine, Brian W. (2021-02-17). "Report: AMC Boss Expected to be Nominated to Lead TRANSCOM". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  12. "PN237 - 1 nominee for Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  13. McCullough, Amy (2021-07-14). "Biden Nominates First Commander for Space Systems Command, New Boss at AMC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  14. "Nomination - Van Ovost". U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  15. Cohen, Rachel S. (2021-07-16). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Defense News. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  16. "Webcast: TRANSCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
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