The commander, United States Air Forces Europe (COMUSAFE) is the most senior officer and head of the United States air forces in Europe. In October 2025, it was reported that the post will be downgraded from a four-star rank to three-star. This is in line with the Department of War directive to reduce general and flag officer positions.
List of USAFE commanders
# Photo Name Dates Notes – 2025–present 39 2022–2025 38 2019-2022 37 2016-2019 Commander, U.S. European Command/Supreme Allied Commander Europe (CDRUSEUCOM/SACEUR), 2019–2022. 36 2013-2016 35 2012-2013 Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2011–2012. Commander, U.S. European Command/Supreme Allied Commander Europe (CDRUSEUCOM/SACEUR), 2013–2016. 34 2010-2012 Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2012–2016. 33 2008-2010 32 2005-2007 31 2003-2005 Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 2001–2003. 30 2000-2003 Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), 2003–2005. 29 1997-2000 Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 2000–2001. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 2001–2005. 28 1996-1997 Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1997–2001. 27 1995-1996 Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1996–1999. 26 1994-1995 25 1990-1994 24 1989-1990 Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1990. Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, 1990–1991. 23 1987-1989 22 1984-1987 21 1982-1984 20 1980-1982 Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1982–1986. 19 1978-1980 18 1977-1978 Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC), 1975–1977. 17 1975-1977 Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1973–1975. Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1977–1981. 16 1974-1975 Commander, Seventh Air Force, 1972–1973. Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), 1973–1974. 15 1971-1974 Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1974–1978. Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), 1978–1982. 14 1969-1971 13 1968-1969 Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1972–1973. 12 1966-1968 11 1965–1966 Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1966–1968. Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1968–1972. 10 1963-1965 Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1965–1968. 9 1961-1963 8 1959-1961 Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1961–1962. 7 1957-1959 Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC), 1959–1961.6 1953-1957 5 1951-1953 Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), 1952–1962.4 1948-1951 Commanding General, Tactical Air Command (CG TAC), 1951–1954.3 1947-1948 Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command (CINCSAC), 1955–1957. Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), 1957–1961. Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (CSAF), 1961–1965.2 1946-19471 1945-1946
References
See also List of United States Air Force four-star generals List of commanders-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command List of commanders of Tactical Air Command