David L. Goldfein

David L. Goldfein
Born	1959 (age 56–57)
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1983–present (33 years)
Rank	General
Commands held	Air Force Chief of Staff Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Forces Central Command 49th Fighter Wing 52nd Fighter Wing 366th Operations Group 555th Fighter Squadron
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3)

David Lee Goldfein (born 1959) is a General in the United States Air Force who currently serves as the Air Force Chief of Staff. Before, he served as Air Force Vice Chief of Staff. He was previously Director of the Joint Staff, a position within the Joint Chiefs of Staff who assists the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.^[1] On April 26, 2016, it was announced that Goldfein was nominated to succeed General Mark Welsh as the 21st Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. His confirmation hearing took place on June 16, and he succeeded Welsh on July 1, two days after his confirmation.^[2] Gen. Goldfein is the second Jewish U.S. Air Force Chief, after General Norton Schwartz.^[3]

Military career

Tail and canopy of then Goldfein's F-16CG shot down during the Operation Allied Force at the Museum of Aviation, Belgrade

Goldfein received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983. He has commanded the U.S. Air Forces Central Command; 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M.; 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; 366th Operations Group, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; and the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy. Goldfein is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

Goldfein flew combat missions during the Gulf War, and later deployed to the Vicenza Combined Air Operations Center for Operation Deliberate Force. As commander of the Triple Nickel, flying an F-16 fighter he led his squadron in Operation Allied Force. On 2 May 1999, Goldfein's F-16 was shot down^[4] over western Serbia by a S-125 Surface to Air Missile fired by the 3rd battery of the 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade of the Yugoslav Air Force, but was rescued by NATO helicopters before he could be located and captured. His other assignments include, Deputy Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.^[5]

The general is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-16C/D, F-117A, MC-12W, and MQ-9.^[6]

Awards and decorations

Personal decorations Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device and oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters Air Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster Air Force Achievement Medal Unit awards Joint Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters Service Awards Combat Readiness Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters Campaign and service medals National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one service star Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Service, training, and marksmanship awards Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon Foreign awards NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other accoutrements US Air Force Command Pilot Badge Basic Parachutist Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Headquarters Air Force Badge

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions

Insignia	Rank	Date
	General	August 17, 2015
	Lieutenant General	August 3, 2011
	Major General	July 3, 2010
	Brigadier General	October 1, 2007
	Colonel	April 1, 2001
	Lieutenant Colonel	January 1, 1998
	Major	November 1, 1994
	Captain	June 1, 1987
	First Lieutenant	June 1, 1985
	Second Lieutenant	June 1, 1983

Education

• 1983 Bachelor of Science degree in philosophy, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• 1986 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
• 1987 Master's degree in business administration, Oklahoma City University, Okla.
• 1992 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
• 1995 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
• 1998 Air War College, by correspondence
• 2001 National Defense Fellowship, State Department Senior Seminar, Arlington, Va.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to David L. Goldfein.

References