Jacqueline Van Ovost

Summary

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 (age 58)
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 edit

Van Ovost received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. After commissioning into the US Air Force, she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (1989) followed by U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (1994).[4] 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 edit

 
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 edit

Van Ovost was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. She attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base (now the Reese Technology Center) and graduated in 1989. She is also 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. Even further, Van Ovost was an Instructor Pilot for the Test Pilot School.[4] 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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

  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
 
 
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
 
 
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
 
 
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
 
 
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
 
 
 
 
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
  Air Medal
 
 
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
  Joint Service Commendation Medal
  Air Force Commendation Medal
 
 
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
 
 
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
 
 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
  Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
  Air Force Recognition Ribbon
 
 
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
 
 
 
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
 
 
 
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 three bronze oak leaf clusters
  Air Force Training Ribbon
  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Effective dates of promotion edit

Insignia Rank Date
  General Aug. 20, 2020
  Lieutenant general Nov. 8, 2017
  Major general May 22, 2015
  Brigadier general Aug. 2, 2012
  Colonel Dec. 1, 2006
  Lieutenant colonel May 1, 2001
  Major Aug. 1, 1998
  Captain June 1, 1992
  First lieutenant June 1, 1990
  Second lieutenant June 1, 1988

[4]

References edit

  •   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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e "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 March 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "PN237 — Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost — Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  10. ^ Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene (February 17, 2021). "Promotions for Female Generals Were Delayed Over Fears of Trump's Reaction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  11. ^ Everstine, Brian W. (February 17, 2021). "Report: AMC Boss Expected to be Nominated to Lead TRANSCOM". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  12. ^ "PN237 - 1 nominee for Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. March 5, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  13. ^ McCullough, Amy (July 14, 2021). "Biden Nominates First Commander for Space Systems Command, New Boss at AMC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Nomination - Van Ovost". U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  15. ^ Cohen, Rachel S. (July 16, 2021). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Defense News. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  16. ^ "Webcast: TRANSCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. Retrieved October 15, 2021.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Jacqueline D. Van Ovost at Wikimedia Commons
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing
2008–2010
Succeeded by
Richard Murphy
Preceded by
Steven Harrison
Commander of the 89th Airlift Wing
2010–2012
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of Staff of the United States Air Force
2017–2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Air Mobility Command
2020–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States Transportation Command
2021–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Order of precedence of the United States
as Commander of U.S. Transportation Command
Succeeded byas Commander of U.S. Southern Command