In a major reshuffle of the United States Air Force’s high command, President Joe Biden has nominated several senior officers for key leadership positions across the service. The move comes at a critical time for the Air Force, which is navigating the complexities of modern warfare, advancing technologies, and changing geopolitical landscapes.
Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the current head of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), has been selected to become the superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Bauernfeind is set to replace Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, who is poised to retire and take on a new role outside of the military as the executive director of the College Football Playoff. Lt. Gen. Clark has been commended for his leadership at the academy through turbulent times, including a significant cheating scandal in 2020.
Bauernfeind’s tenure at AFSOC was marked by unfortunate events, including a fatal CV-22 Osprey crash in Japan that claimed the lives of eight airmen, and the recent shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson in Florida by a local sheriff’s deputy. The incidents have left an indelible mark on the Air Force community, resonating deeply with the special operations forces. If confirmed, Bauernfeind’s experience and leadership are expected to guide the Air Force Academy through its next phase of development, as the institution strives to ready future officers to lead in a rapidly evolving defense landscape.
Replacing Bauernfeind at AFSOC is Brig. Gen. Michael Conley, who is slated for a rare promotion, skipping the two-star rank to be appointed as a lieutenant general. Conley, a seasoned Osprey pilot, has had an extensive career across various special operations and joint command roles, bringing a wealth of experience to the position. He will take on the responsibility of managing the aftermath of the recent AFSOC tragedies and continue to steer the command through its ongoing modernization and adaptation to future conflicts.
Among the other notable nominations, Maj. Gen. David Tabor is set to receive a third star and assume the pivotal role of deputy chief of staff for plans and programs. Maj. Gen. Thomas K. Hensley has been nominated to lead the Sixteenth Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, tasked with critical information warfare operations. Furthermore, Maj. Gen. John DeGoes is in line for a promotion to lieutenant general and to serve as the Air Force’s next surgeon general.
The Sixteenth Air Force, in particular, is experiencing a significant transformation, with plans to become a direct reporting unit to the Air Force Secretary under the service’s re-optimization efforts. This change reflects the Air Force’s evolving focus on cyber warfare and intelligence in an increasingly digital battlefield.
Relevant articles:
– Air Force special ops commander tapped to lead Air Force Academy, other nominees announced, Breaking Defense
– New AFSOC Commander, Academy Superintendent, Top Planner All Nominated, Air & Space Forces Magazine
– Air Force special operations boss tapped to run service academy, Yahoo
– New PACAF Commander Tapped in Pentagon Nominations, Air & Space Forces Magazine