Duncan McNabb
Encyclopedia
Duncan J. McNabb was a United States Air Force
general
who last served as the ninth Commander, U.S. Transportation Command from September 5, 2008 to October 17, 2011. He previously served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
. He assumed his current assignment on . General McNabb graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy
in 1974. A command pilot, he has amassed more than 5,400 flying hours in transport and rotary wing aircraft. He has held command and staff positions at squadron, group, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels. During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, General McNabb commanded the 41st Military Airlift Squadron
, which earned Military Airlift Command's Airlift Squadron of the Year in 1990. The general commanded the 89th Operations Group, overseeing the air transportation of our nation's leaders, including the President, Vice President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. He then served as Commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing. The wing's performance in 1996 earned the Riverside Trophy as the 15th Air Force's outstanding wing. He also commanded the Tanker Airlift Control Center where he planned, scheduled and directed a fleet of more than 1,400 aircraft in support of combat delivery and strategic airlift, air refueling and aeromedical operations around the world. Most recently, General McNabb was the Commander of Air Mobility Command, where he led 134,000 total force Airmen in providing rapid global mobility, aerial refueling, special airlift and aeromedical evacuation for America's armed forces.
General McNabb's staff assignments have been a variety of planning, programming and logistical duties. These include serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs on the Air Staff and Chairman of the Air Force Board having oversight of all Air Force programs. He also served as the Director for Logistics on the Joint Staff where he was responsible for operational logistics and strategic mobility support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. General McNabb retired from the Air Force on November 30, 2011 after over 37 years of service.
1. June 1974 – May 1975, student, undergraduate navigator training, Mather AFB, California
2. August 1975 – April 1978, instructor navigator, 14th Military Airlift Squadron, Norton AFB, California
3. April 1978 – April 1979, airlift director, 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton AFB, California
4. April 1979 – April 1980, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Arizona
5. August 1980 – August 1983, instructor pilot and chief pilot, 14th Military Airlift Squadron, Norton AFB, California
6. August 1983 – July 1984, general's aide, Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, Norton AFB, California
7. July 1984 – June 1986, Chief, Plans Integration Branch, Headquarters MAC
, Scott AFB, Illinois
8. June 1986 – June 1988, aide to the Commander, U.S. Transportation Command and MAC, Scott AFB, Illinois
9. June 1988 – November 1990, chief pilot, later, operations officer, 17th Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina
10. November 1990 – January 1992, Commander, 41st Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina
11. January 1992 – August 1992, Deputy Group Commander, 437th Operations Group, Charleston AFB, South Carolina
12. August 1992 – June 1993, student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair
, Washington, D.C.
13. July 1993 – June 1995, Chief, Logistics Readiness Center, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
14. July 1995 – July 1996, Commander, 89th Operations Group, Andrews AFB, Maryland
15. July 1996 – July 1997, Commander, 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Washington
16. August 1997 – June 1999, Commander, Tanker Airlift Control Center, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
17. June 1999 – December 1999, Deputy Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
18. December 1999 – April 2002, Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
19. April 2002 – July 2004, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
20. August 2004 – October 2005, Director for Logistics, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
21. October 2005 – September 2007, Commander, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
22. September 2007 – September 2008, Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
23. September 2008 – October 2011, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
United States Air Force Academy
class of 1974
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 last served as the ninth Commander, U.S. Transportation Command from September 5, 2008 to October 17, 2011. He previously served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
The Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force is the second highest ranking military officer in the United States Air Force. In the event that the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCSAF assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CSAF...
. He assumed his current assignment on . General McNabb graduated from the U.S. 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 1974. A command pilot, he has amassed more than 5,400 flying hours in transport and rotary wing aircraft. He has held command and staff positions at squadron, group, wing, major command and Department of Defense levels. During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, General McNabb commanded the 41st Military Airlift Squadron
41st Airlift Squadron
The 41st Airlift Squadron is part of the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. It operates C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.-History:...
, which earned Military Airlift Command's Airlift Squadron of the Year in 1990. The general commanded the 89th Operations Group, overseeing the air transportation of our nation's leaders, including the President, Vice President, Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. He then served as Commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing. The wing's performance in 1996 earned the Riverside Trophy as the 15th Air Force's outstanding wing. He also commanded the Tanker Airlift Control Center where he planned, scheduled and directed a fleet of more than 1,400 aircraft in support of combat delivery and strategic airlift, air refueling and aeromedical operations around the world. Most recently, General McNabb was the Commander of Air Mobility Command, where he led 134,000 total force Airmen in providing rapid global mobility, aerial refueling, special airlift and aeromedical evacuation for America's armed forces.
General McNabb's staff assignments have been a variety of planning, programming and logistical duties. These include serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs on the Air Staff and Chairman of the Air Force Board having oversight of all Air Force programs. He also served as the Director for Logistics on the Joint Staff where he was responsible for operational logistics and strategic mobility support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. General McNabb retired from the Air Force on November 30, 2011 after over 37 years of service.
Education
- 1974 Bachelor of Science degree, United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force AcademyThe 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...
, Colorado Springs, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... - 1977 Distinguished graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- 1983 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...
, by correspondence - 1984 Master of ScienceMaster of ScienceA Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree in international relationsInternational relationsInternational relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
, University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, Los Angeles - 1993 Industrial College of the Armed ForcesIndustrial College of the Armed ForcesThe Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. - 1994 Air War CollegeAir War CollegeThe Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
, by correspondence - 1995 Program for Senior Officials in National Security, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, CambridgeCambridge, MassachusettsCambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
, Massachusetts - 1998 Executive Program for General Officers of the Russian Federation and the United States, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- 2000 National Security Decision-Making Seminar, Center for Strategic Education, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins UniversityThe Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, Washington, D.C.
Assignments
2. August 1975 – April 1978, instructor navigator, 14th Military Airlift Squadron, Norton AFB, California
3. April 1978 – April 1979, airlift director, 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton AFB, California
4. April 1979 – April 1980, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Arizona
5. August 1980 – August 1983, instructor pilot and chief pilot, 14th Military Airlift Squadron, Norton AFB, California
6. August 1983 – July 1984, general's aide, Air Force Inspection and Safety Center, Norton AFB, California
7. July 1984 – June 1986, Chief, Plans Integration Branch, Headquarters MAC
Military Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
, Scott AFB, Illinois
8. June 1986 – June 1988, aide to the Commander, U.S. Transportation Command and MAC, Scott AFB, Illinois
9. June 1988 – November 1990, chief pilot, later, operations officer, 17th Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina
10. November 1990 – January 1992, Commander, 41st Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, South Carolina
11. January 1992 – August 1992, Deputy Group Commander, 437th Operations Group, Charleston AFB, South Carolina
12. August 1992 – June 1993, student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair
Fort Lesley J. McNair
Fort 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, D.C.
13. July 1993 – June 1995, Chief, Logistics Readiness Center, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
14. July 1995 – July 1996, Commander, 89th Operations Group, Andrews AFB, Maryland
15. July 1996 – July 1997, Commander, 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Washington
16. August 1997 – June 1999, Commander, Tanker Airlift Control Center, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
17. June 1999 – December 1999, Deputy Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
18. December 1999 – April 2002, Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
19. April 2002 – July 2004, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
20. August 2004 – October 2005, Director for Logistics, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
21. October 2005 – September 2007, Commander, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Illinois
22. September 2007 – September 2008, Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
23. September 2008 – October 2011, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Flight information
- Rating: Command pilot, navigator
- Flight hours: More than 5,400
- Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, C-141, C-17, C-21, C-20 and UH-1N
Awards and decorations
 Command Pilot badge |
 Basic Parachutist badgeParachutist Badge (United States) The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy... |
| United States Transportation Command United States Transportation Command The United States Transportation Command is one of nine unified commands of the United States Department of Defense. The mission of USTRANSCOM is to provide air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense, both in time of peace and time of war.USTRANSCOM, located at Scott Air Force... identification badge |
 Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge The Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge is a U.S. Military badge presented to the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff upon appointment to position as either a Service Head, Vice Chairman, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The decoration is also authorized to staff and... |
| 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... with 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... |
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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... with oak leaf cluster |
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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."... |
| 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... with oak leaf cluster |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense... |
| 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 oak leaf cluster |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal |
| Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters | |
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Air Force Achievement Medal |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
| 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 silver 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 4 oak leaf clusters |
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| Combat Readiness Medal Combat Readiness Medal The Combat Readiness Medal is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded for superior and meritorious duty to the United States Air Force... 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 two 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... s |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
| Southwest Asia Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War... with two bronze service stars |
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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... |
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Armed Forces Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under... |
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Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under... |
| 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 with service star | |
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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... |
| NATO Medal NATO Medal The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium... for Yugoslavia Yugoslavia Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century.... |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait) |
Other achievements
- Commander's Trophy, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Air Training Command
- Orville Wright Award for outstanding UPT graduate, Order of DaedaliansOrder of DaedaliansThe Order of Daedalians is a fraternal and professional order of American military pilots. The namesake of the order is Daedalus who according to Greek mythology was the first person to achieve heavier-than-air flight.-History:...
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 1974
| 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 |
| June 5, 1974 | June 5, 1976 | June 5, 1978 | October 1, 1985 | June 1, 1989 |
| 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... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-6 | O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
| January 1, 1993 | July 27, 1998 | February 26, 2001 | April 19, 2002 | December 1, 2005 |