James Kowalski

James M. Kowalski (born October 30, 1957) is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command from 2013 to 2015.

James Kowalski
Born (1957-10-30) October 30, 1957
Columbus, Ohio
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1980–2015
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldAir Force Global Strike Command
28th Bomb Squadron
2d Operations Group
28th Bomb Wing
552nd Air Control Wing
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Bronze Star Medal

Military career

Kowalski, Tom Whittaker, Chhiring Dorje Sherpa and Dawa Yangzum Sherpa

Kowalski entered active duty in 1980 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing and an air control wing over his 35-year career. Kowalski retired from active duty on 1 September 2015.

Kowalski's contingency and wartime experience include command of the 2nd Operations Group when the unit deployed B-52s for combat during operations Noble Anvil and Allied Force, and command of the 28th Bomb Wing when it deployed B-1Bs for Operation Iraqi Freedom. From January 2003 to May 2003, Kowalski commanded the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia where he led a combined wing of B-1Bs, E-3s and KC-135s to provide strike, battle management, and air refueling for operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. His previous staff assignments include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served as Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command until October 2013, when he became Deputy Commander of U.S. Strategic Command. He retired on September 1, 2015.[1]

Awards and decorations

US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge
Master Missile Operations Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze 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 three bronze oak leaf clusters
Width-44 scarlet ribbon with width-4 ultramarine blue stripe at center, surrounded by width-1 white stripes. Width-1 white stripes are at the edges. Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote fifth award)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
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
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism 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
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon

Dates of promotion

InsigniaRankDate
Lieutenant generalJan. 6, 2011
Major generalMay 7, 2009
Brigadier generalNov. 1, 2005
ColonelMay 1, 1999
Lieutenant colonelMar. 1, 1994
MajorJan. 1, 1990
CaptainMar. 14, 1983
First lieutenantMar. 14, 1981
Second lieutenantJun. 9, 1979

[1]

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Lieutenant General James Kowalski Biography. United States Air Force.

  1. "Lieutenant General James M. Kowalski". United States Air Force. July 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
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