Michael E. Ryan

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Gen. Micheal E. Ryan

United States Air Force

Michael Ryan
Michael Ryan

General Michael E. Ryan
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch Flag of the United States Air Force United States Air Force
Years of service 1965–2001
Rank General
Commands held 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron
432nd Tactical Fighter Wing
Allied Air Forces Southern Europe
16th Air Force
U.S. Air Forces in Europe
Allied Air Forces Central Europe
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Air Medal (15)
Air Force Commendation Medal (2)

General Michael E. Ryan was Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs functioned as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the president.

Ryan entered the U.S. Air Force after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965. He has commanded at the squadron, wing, numbered air force and major command levels. He flew combat in Southeast Asia, including 100 missions over North Vietnam. He also served in staff assignments at the major command level, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Staff. As Commander of Sixteenth Air Force and Allied Air Forces Southern Europe in Italy, he directed the NATO air combat operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina which directly contributed to the Dayton Peace Accords.

Before assuming the Chief of Staff position, Ryan was Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Ryan's father, General John Dale Ryan, was Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973.

Ryan retired from the U.S. Air Force on October 1, 2001.

[edit] Popular Culture

[edit] References

  1. ^ IMDB Cast listing for episode "Prodigy" lists Michael E. Ryan playing himself.
Preceded by
Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
1997–2001
Succeeded by
Gen. John P. Jumper