David L. Goldfein
| David L. Goldfein | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1959 (age 57–58) |
| 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. 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. Gen. Goldfein is the second Jewish U.S. Air Force Chief, after General Norton Schwartz.
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 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.
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