James Kowalski

For the Episcopal clergyman, see James A. Kowalski.
James Kowalski

Lieutenant General James M. Kowalski
Born 1957 (age 5758)
Columbus, Ohio
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1980-Present
Rank Lieutenant General
Unit Air Force Global Strike Command
Commands held Air Force Global Strike Command
28th Bomb Squadron
2d Operations Group
28th Bomb Wing
552nd Air Control Wing
Awards Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4)
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (3)
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal (2)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal (2)
Air Force Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal (2)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Lieutenant General James M. Kowalski (born c. 1954) is the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command, Offut AFB, Nebraska. His grandparents were born near Wadowice in Poland. He is responsible for organizing, training, equipping and maintaining all U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear-capable bomber forces. The command's mission is to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations—safe, secure and effective—to support the President of the United States and combatant commanders. The command comprises more than 23,000 professionals operating at various locations around the globe. The command's six wings control the nation's entire inventory of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, B-2 and B-52 bomber aircraft.

General Kowalski entered active duty in 1980 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He has held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing and an air control wing.

His contingency and wartime experience include command of the 2nd Operations Group when they deployed B-52s for combat during operations Noble Anvil and Allied Force, and command of the 28th Bomb Wing when they deployed B-1Bs for Operation Iraqi Freedom. From January 2003 to May 2003, General Kowalski commanded the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia where he led a combined wing of B-1Bs, E-3s and KC-135s to provide strike, battle management, and air refueling for operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. His previous staff assignments include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to his current assignment, he served as Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command.


References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force document "Lieutenant General James Kowalski Biography".

    Military offices
    New office Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
    (Provisional)

    January 2009 – August 2009
    Succeeded by
    Frank Klotz
    Preceded by
    Frank Klotz
    Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
    2011 – 2013
    Incumbent