James L. Jamerson
Encyclopedia
James L. Jamerson is a former General
in the United States Air Force
and the former commander of the United States European Command
.
, and entered the Air Force in 1963 following graduation from the United States Air Force Academy
. Beginning in May 1963 and going to August 1964, he was a student in pilot training at Webb Air Force Base
, Texas
. He then was an instructor in the T-38 Talon
at Webb until December, 1967. From December until May, 1968, he was a student of A-1E Skyraider training at Hurlburt Field
, Florida
. From May until June 1969, he was an A-1E close air support and search and rescue pilot, 602nd Air Commando Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
and Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
, Thailand
. He later was an AT-33 Shooting Star fighter lead-in instructor pilot, later, A-7D Corsair II pilot, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
, South Carolina
from June 1969 to August 1971.
From August 1971 and going for the next year, he was a student at the Air Command and Staff College
, Maxwell Air Force Base
, Alabama
. For the next four years, he was a staff officer, Operational Requirements and Contingency Plans Division, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii
. Starting in August 1976 and going to June 1981, he was an A-7D Corsair II aircraft commander; chief of safety; squadron operations officer; squadron commander, and assistant deputy commander for operations, for the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base
, Louisiana
.
, Georgetown University
, Washington D.C. from June 1981 to August 1982. Right after graduation, he was assigned as Chief of Pacific, Middle East
and Africa
Policy Division, Directorate of International Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force
, Washington D.C. until July 1984. His following assignment was as Vice Commander, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
, South Carolina
until May 1985. From May 1985 to February 1987, he was the Commander of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at England Air Force Base
, Louisiana
. He then became the commander of the 56th Tactical Training Wing at MacDill Air Force Base
, Florida
until January 1989.
From January 1989 to November 1991, he served as the assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and later, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe
, Ramstein Air Base
, Germany
. Following those positions, General Jamerson was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
in Mons, Belgium from November 1991 to August 1992. Beginning in August 1992 and going until July 1993, he was the Vice Commander in Chief, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe
, back at Ramstein AB. For the next year, he was the Commander of the 12th Air Force and United States Southern Command Air Forces at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
, Arizona
. For the year after that, he became the Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe
, and Allied Forces Central Europe
, also at Ramstein. His final military assignment was as the Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany from July 1995 until his retirement on 1 September 1998.
Currently, he is a member of the National Security Advisory Council.
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...
in the United States Air Force
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...
and the former commander of the United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
.
Early life
The general was born and raised in Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, and entered the Air Force in 1963 following 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...
. Beginning in May 1963 and going to August 1964, he was a student in pilot training at Webb Air Force Base
Webb Air Force Base
Webb Air Force Base , previously named Big Spring Air Force Base, was a United States Air Force facility of the Air Training Command that operated from 1951 to 1977 in west Texas within the current city limits of Big Spring. It was a major training facility, and by 1969 almost 9,000 pilots had...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He then was an instructor in the T-38 Talon
T-38 Talon
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
at Webb until December, 1967. From December until May, 1968, he was a student of A-1E Skyraider training at Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. From May until June 1969, he was an A-1E close air support and search and rescue pilot, 602nd Air Commando Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force base, the home of 2nd Air Division/23rd Wing Air Combat Command.The 231 Squadron "Hunter" is assigned to Udorn, equipped with the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet-A.-History:...
and Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base , formerly Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, is a Royal Thai Navy facility used for riverine patrols along the Mekong River. It is located approximately 365 miles northeast of Bangkok, 9 miles west of Nakhon Phanom city in Nakhon Phanom Province in the...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. He later was an AT-33 Shooting Star fighter lead-in instructor pilot, later, A-7D Corsair II pilot, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force facility, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was established in 1940 as a World War II training base and was also used for coastal patrols during the war...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
from June 1969 to August 1971.
From August 1971 and going for the next year, he was a student at the Air Command and Staff College
Air Command and Staff College
The 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 Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama 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...
. For the next four years, he was a staff officer, Operational Requirements and Contingency Plans Division, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Starting in August 1976 and going to June 1981, he was an A-7D Corsair II aircraft commander; chief of safety; squadron operations officer; squadron commander, and assistant deputy commander for operations, for the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Louisiana, located Northwest of Alexandria and about Northwest of New Orleans....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
Later career
Jim became a student at the Air Force Institute of TechnologyAir Force Institute of Technology
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education that is part of the United States Air Force. It is located on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT has been...
, Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, Washington D.C. from June 1981 to August 1982. Right after graduation, he was assigned as Chief of Pacific, Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
Policy Division, Directorate of International Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force
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...
, Washington D.C. until July 1984. His following assignment was as Vice Commander, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force facility, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was established in 1940 as a World War II training base and was also used for coastal patrols during the war...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
until May 1985. From May 1985 to February 1987, he was the Commander of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Louisiana, located Northwest of Alexandria and about Northwest of New Orleans....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He then became the commander of the 56th Tactical Training Wing at MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
until January 1989.
From January 1989 to November 1991, he served as the assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and later, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. It serves as headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Following those positions, General Jamerson was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
in Mons, Belgium from November 1991 to August 1992. Beginning in August 1992 and going until July 1993, he was the Vice Commander in Chief, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, back at Ramstein AB. For the next year, he was the Commander of the 12th Air Force and United States Southern Command Air Forces at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
Davis–Monthan Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located within the city limits, and approximately south-southeast of downtown, Tucson, Arizona....
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. For the year after that, he became the Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, and Allied Forces Central Europe
Allied Forces Central Europe
Joint Force Command Brunssum is the NATO military command based in Brunssum, Netherlands. JFC-B reports to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe based at Casteau, Belgium. It is one of three operational level commands in the NATO command structure, the others being Joint Force Command...
, also at Ramstein. His final military assignment was as the Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany from July 1995 until his retirement on 1 September 1998.
Currently, he is a member of the National Security Advisory Council.
Awards
Awards earned over his career:- Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe 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...
- Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
- Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe 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 an oak leaf cluster - Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with two oak leaf clusters - Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious 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 an oak leaf cluster - Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with eleven oak leaf clusters - Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with four bronze service stars - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Order of the SwordOrder of the Sword (United States)The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded within the U.S. Air Force. It is defined in the Airman's Guide by Boone Nicolls as a "special program where noncommisioned officers of a command recognize individuals they hold in high esteem and wish to honor...
- Command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours
- Parachutist
Dates of Promotion
Dates at which he was promoted:- Second Lieutenant: June 5, 1963
- First Lieutenant: December 5, 1964
- Captain: March 10, 1967
- Major: January 1, 1972
- Lieutenant Colonel: November 1, 1977
- Colonel: June 1, 1981
- Brigadier General: February 1, 1988
- Major General: August 1, 1990
- Lieutenant General: August 1, 1992
- General: September 1, 1994