Douglas M. Fraser
Encyclopedia
Douglas Malcolm Fraser is a United States Air Force
general
who serves as the current Commander, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). He is the first Air Force officer to become USSOUTHCOM's combatant commander. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command from April 2008 to June 24, 2009. He assumed his current assignment on June 25, 2009.
Fraser earned his commission upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy
in 1975. His operational assignments include Europe, the Pacific, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command. Prior to this current assignment, he was Commander, Alaskan Command, U.S. Pacific Command; Commander, 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; and Commander, Alaskan North American Defense Region, with headquarters at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
He is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, primarily in the F-15A/B/C/D, F-15E
and the F-16.
United States Air Force Academy
class of 1975
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
general
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
who serves as the current Commander, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). He is the first Air Force officer to become USSOUTHCOM's combatant commander. He previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command from April 2008 to June 24, 2009. He assumed his current assignment on June 25, 2009.
Fraser earned his commission upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
in 1975. His operational assignments include Europe, the Pacific, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command. Prior to this current assignment, he was Commander, Alaskan Command, U.S. Pacific Command; Commander, 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; and Commander, Alaskan North American Defense Region, with headquarters at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
He is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, primarily in the F-15A/B/C/D, F-15E
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
and the F-16.
Education
- 1975 Bachelor of Science degree in political science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
- 1979 Squadron Officer SchoolSquadron Officer SchoolSquadron Officer School , is a five-week long Professional Military Education course for U.S. Air Force Captains. It fulfills the U.S. Air Force's requirement for primary developmental education . SOS is based at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and the in-residence version of the course is taught there...
, Maxwell AFB, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... - 1987 Air Command and Staff CollegeAir Command and Staff CollegeThe Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
, Maxwell AFB, Alabama - 1987 Master's degree in political science, Auburn UniversityAuburn UniversityAuburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
- 1992 National War CollegeNational War CollegeThe National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
, Fort Lesley J. McNairFort Lesley J. McNairFort Lesley J. McNair is a United States Army post located on the tip of a peninsula that lies at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. To its west is the Washington Channel, while the Anacostia River is on its south side...
, Washington, DC - 2005 Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
Assignments
- August 1975 - July 1976, student, undergraduate pilot training, Vance AFB, Okla.
- September 1976 - March 1977, F-15 student, 405th Tactical Training Unit, Luke AFB, Ariz.
- June 1977 - May 1980, F-15 pilot, 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, West Germany
- June 1980 - June 1983, F-15 squadron weapons officer, 405th Tactical Training Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.
- July 1983 - June 1985, flight commander, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, N.M.
- July 1985 - July 1986, aide to the Commander, 12th Air Force, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
- August 1986 - June 1987, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- July 1987 - July 1989, fighter programmer, Directorate of Programs and Resources, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1989 - May 1991, member, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Staff Group, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1991 - June 1992, Commander, Weapons and Tactics Flight, 18th Operations Support Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
- June 1992 - October 1992, Director of Operations, 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
- October 1992 - July 1993, Commander, 12th Fighter Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
- August 1993 - June 1994, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- July 1994 - July 1996, analysis assistant, Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Requirements, Washington, D.C.
- July 1996 - June 1997, Director, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Operations Group, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1997 - January 1999, Commander, 366th Operations Group, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
- February 1999 - January 2000, executive assistant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
- January 2000 - April 2002, Commander, 3rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
- April 2002 - June 2003, Commander, Space Warfare Center, Air Force Space Command, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- May 2003 - October 2005, Director of Air and Space Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
- October 2005 - April 2008, Commander, Alaskan Command, U.S. Pacific Command; Commander, 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; and Commander, Alaskan North American Defense Region, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
- April 2008 - June 2009, Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
- June 2009–present, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Florida
Flight Information
- Rating: Command pilot
- Flight hours: More than 2,700
- Aircraft flown: F-15 EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
and F-16 Falcon
Awards and decorations
 Command Pilot BadgeUnited States Aviator Badge A United States Aviator Badge refers to three types of aviation badges issued by the United States military, those being for Army, Air Force, and Naval aviation.... |
| Master Space and Missile Operations Badge |
 Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge The Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge is a military badge issued to members of the United States armed forces who are permanently assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and its subordinate offices, and in addition, to some of the Defense Agencies and Department of... |
 United States Southern CommandUnited States Southern Command The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command... Identification Badge |
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Distinguished Service Medal The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States... |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force... |
| Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... with two bronze oak leaf cluster Oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration... s |
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Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
| Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... with three oak leaf clusters |
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| Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster | |
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Air Force Achievement Medal |
| Outstanding Unit Award Outstanding Unit Award The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954. The award is presented as a ribbon to any command of the U.S... with oak leaf cluster |
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| Organizational Excellence Award Organizational Excellence Award The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award is an award of the United States Air Force and is the lowest ranking unit award. The award was first created in 1969 and is presented to Air Force internal organizations that are entities within larger organizations... with oak leaf cluster |
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| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... with one bronze service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
| Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,... with 2 oak leaf clusters |
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| Air Force Longevity Service Award Air Force Longevity Service Award The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military award of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff... with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |
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Air Force Training Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon The Air Force Training Ribbon is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force, ranking only above foreign military awards.The Air Force Training Ribbon was authorized by the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force on October 12, 1980. It is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion... |
Dates of rank
United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
class of 1975
| Second Lieutenant | First Lieutenant | Captain | Major Major (United States) In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel... |
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel (United States) In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | O-2 | O-3 | O-4 | O-5 |
| 04 June 1975 | 04 June 1977 | 04 June 1979 | 01 October 1986 | 01 April 1990 |
| Colonel Colonel (United States) In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general... |
Brigadier General Brigadier general (United States) A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed... |
Major General Major general (United States) In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general... |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General (United States) In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general... |
General General (United States) In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an... |
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| O-6 | O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
| 01 February 1995 | 01 July 2001 | 01 August 2004 | 11 October 2005 | 25 June 2009 |