James C. Slife (born 1967) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as the vice chief of staff of the United States Air Force from 19 December 2023 to 21 February 2025. He previously served as the deputy chief of staff for operations of the United States Air Force from December 2022 to December 2023.
He served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from June 2019 to December 2022, having previously served as the vice commander from July 2018 to June 2019 and chief of staff of United States Special Operations Command from June 2017 to June 2018. Slife was commissioned through the ROTC program at Auburn University in 1989.
In September 2023, Slife was nominated for promotion to general and appointment as vice chief of staff of the Air Force.
On 21 February 2025, Slife was relieved from his position as vice chief of staff of the Air Force. As of May 2025, a replacement has not been announced.
Awards and decorations Personal decorationsAir Force Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clustersLegion of MeritBronze Star Medal with oak leaf clusterDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clustersAir Medal with three oak leaf clustersAerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clustersJoint Service Commendation MedalAir Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Force Combat Action MedalUnit awardsJoint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clustersGallant Unit CitationAir Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and silver oak leaf clusterAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardService awardsCombat Readiness Medal with oak leaf clusterCampaign and service medalsNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two service starsSouthwest Asia Service Medal with service starKosovo Campaign Medal with service starAfghanistan Campaign Medal with three service starsIraq Campaign Medal with three service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalArmed Forces Service Medal with two service starsHumanitarian Service Medal with two service starsService, training, and marksmanship awardsAir Force Overseas Short Tour Service RibbonAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with oak leaf clusterAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and silver oak leaf clusterAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusterSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service starAir Force Training RibbonForeign awardsNATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with two service starsKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Other accoutrements US Air Force Command Pilot Badge Basic Parachutist Badge Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Effective dates of promotion
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