Margaret H. Woodward (born 1960) is an American former military officer and major general in the United States Air Force.
As commander of the 17th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, she was responsible for all US air actions that involved Africa. In March 2011, she commanded the air component of the US contribution to the no-fly zone over Libya, sanctioned by the United Nations, making her the first woman to oversee a U.S. combat air campaign.
She retired on April 1, 2014.
Early life and education Woodward was born in 1960 and grew up in India and Pakistan, where her father worked for the United States Agency for International Development. She left the region when she was about ten years old.
Career In 1982, Woodward graduated from the Arizona State University and joined the U.S. Air Force the year after. For most of her career she flew aerial refueling aircraft such as the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, though she also has experience in the Boeing C-40 Clipper, the C-37 military version of the Gulfstream G550, and the T-37 and T-38 trainers. She was involved the U.S. invasion of Panama, Operation Allied Force, Operations Northern and Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and missions during the Iraq War.
In 2007, she became commander of the 89th Airlift Wing, which includes responsibility for Air Force One, and in June 2010 became commander of the Seventeenth Air Force, the U.S. Air Force branch of the United States Africa Command. As such, she was the operational commander for the U.S. involvement in the 2011 military intervention in Libya, dubbed Operation Odyssey Dawn, before command of the whole operation was transferred to NATO.
After handing over command of Seventeenth Air Force, she was posted Stateside. Her Air Force official profile lists her appointments since as: May 2012 - September 2012, Acting Director, Operational Planning, Policy & Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. September 2012 - June 2013, Air Force Chief of Safety, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and Commander, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M. June 2013 - mid 2014, Director, Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Retired mid 2014.
Education 1982: Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering at the Arizona State University, Tempe 1995: Air Command and Staff College, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base 1997: Master's degree in aviation science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. 2001: Master's degree in national security strategy, National War College in Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
Awards and decorations US Air Force Command Pilot BadgeHeadquarters Air Force Badge Air Force Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with two oak leaf clustersBronze Star MedalMeritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation MedalJoint Meritorious Unit AwardAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf clusterCombat Readiness MedalNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalKosovo Campaign MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalAir Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training Ribbon
Promotions List of promotions Woodward has received during her career: + PromotionsMajor General2011Brigadier General2008Colonel2002Lieutenant Colonel1998Major1994Captain1986First Lieutenant1984Second Lieutenant1982
See also List of female United States military generals and flag officers
References
External links
US hands command of Libya air strategy to senior female officer (The Guardian) The new face of war: A female general commands the U.S. air campaign . (The Best Defense | Foreign Policy) Photo from Reuters Pictures (daylife.com)