Jacqueline Desiree Van Ovost (born September 29, 1965) is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the 14th commander of United States Transportation Command from 2021 to 2024. She was nominated to that post by President Biden on March 5, 2021. Van Ovost had previously served as the commander of Air Mobility Command from 2020 to 2021. In early 2021, she was the only active-duty female four-star general officer in the United States.
Education Van Ovost received a Bachelor of Science degree 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). 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).
Military career
Early career 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. 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).
Air Mobility Command 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. She replaced retiring AMC commanding Gen. Maryanne Miller, under whom she served as AMC's deputy commander, on August 20, 2020. Van Ovost served as AMC Commander until she relinquished command on October 5, 2021. 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.
Transportation Command nomination 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). Her nomination was sent to the Senate on March 5, 2021. 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. Van Ovost's nomination hearings to head TRANSCOM were held before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 23, 2021. 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.
Awards and decorations U.S. Air Force Command Pilot BadgeHeadquarters Air Force BadgeUnited States Transportation Command BadgeOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Defense Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterDefense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal with oak leaf clusterMeritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir MedalAerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterJoint Service Commendation MedalAir Force Commendation MedalAir Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterJoint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf clusterAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardAir Force Recognition RibbonNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starSouthwest Asia Service Medal with two service starsAfghanistan Campaign Medal with two service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalNuclear Deterrence Operations Service MedalAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frameAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Training RibbonKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Effective dates of promotion
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