William L. Shelton
Encyclopedia
William Lee Shelton is a United States Air Force
four-star general
who serves as the current Commander, Air Force Space Command
. He previously was the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Director, Air Staff. He previously served as Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Shelton has held numerous positions of leadership throughout the United States Air Force
. He assumed his current assignment on January 5, 2011.
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering. He earned a M.S. in Astronautical Engineering in 1980 from the Air Force Institute of Technology
.
. He graduated with a Master of Science
in astronautical engineering in December 1980.
After graduation, Shelton was assigned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
where he worked as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller until July 1985. While in Texas he was promoted to the rank of Captain June 2, 1980 and to the rank of Major on May 1, 1985. In July 1985, Shelton moved on to the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia
. Following staff college, he was assigned to work for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Air Force Space Command
on Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado
. He moved on from Colorado Springs in August 1988 to Washington, D.C.
to work for the Secretary of the Air Force in the office of Space Plans and Policy. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
on March 1, 1990, he took command of the 2d Space Operations Squadron
at Falcon AFB in Colorado
in August of the same year.
After his first command tour, Shelton served as executive officer to the Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command for a year beginning in June 1992. He moved on to assume command of the 50th Operations Group
at Falcon AFB from June 1993 to July 1994. While in command he was promoted to Colonel
on February 1, 1994. Following his second command tour, Shelton returned to school at the National War College
at Fort Lesley J. McNair
in Washington, DC. There he earned a Master of Science
in national security strategy, graduating in May 1995.
Following his War College tour, Shelton served as the Deputy Program Manager and Executive Assistant for the Cooperative Threat Reduction
Program Office which fell under the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs in Washington, DC. In 1996, he attended the Program for Senior Officials in National Security at Syracuse University
and Johns Hopkins University
. In September 1997 he assumed command of the 90th Space Wing
at Francis E. Warren AFB in Wyoming
. From September 1999 to July 2000 he was again in Washington, DC this time as the Chief of the Space Superiority Division in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs. He followed this assignment by serving from July 2000 to November 2000 as Director of Manpower and Organization in the same office.
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
. There he was promoted to Brigadier General on January 1, 2001. He stayed at Air Force Space Command until June 2003 holding various positions including Director of Plans and Programs and Director of Air and Space Operations.
Following his tour at Air Force Space Command he moved on to the United States Strategic Command
on Offutt AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska
. There he served as Director of Capability and Resource Integration and Director of Plans and Policy. He was also promoted to Major General
on July 1, 2004.
In May 2005, Shelton moved to assume command of the 14th Air Force from Vandenberg AFB, California
. In July 2006, he also assumed command of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space
, which is attached to the United States Strategic Command
.
The President nominated Maj Gen Shelton for the appointment to lieutenant general with continued assignment as the 14 AF/CC and CDR JFCC SPACE (Ref: 8 November 2007 Senior Leader Announcement, AF/A1). After Senate confirmation, Lt Gen Shelton pinned on his new rank 8 January 2008. Gen Kevin P. Chilton
, CDRUSSTRATCOM, presided; Gen C. Robert Kehler
, AFSPC/CC, also spoke during the ceremony held at Vandenberg AFB, CA.
In December 2008, Lt Gen Shelton was appointed Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
On 5 Jan 2011, Lt General Shelton was promoted to the rank of general and became Commander, Air Force Space Command.
Awards and decorations
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...
four-star 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, Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
. He previously was the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Director, Air Staff. He previously served as Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Shelton has held numerous positions of leadership throughout 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...
. He assumed his current assignment on January 5, 2011.
Background and education
William Shelton graduated from the 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...
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering. He earned a M.S. in Astronautical Engineering in 1980 from the Air Force Institute of Technology
Air 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...
.
US Air Force officer career
Upon graduation, Shelton was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on June 2, 1976. His first assignment was as a launch facilities manager, launch director and technical assistant to the commander from August 1976 - May 1979 at the Space and Missile Test Center, Vandenberg AFB, California. While at Vandenberg, he was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 2, 1978. Following his first assignment, Shelton reported to the US Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He graduated with a Master of Science
Master of Science
A 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:...
in astronautical engineering in December 1980.
After graduation, Shelton was assigned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
where he worked as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller until July 1985. While in Texas he was promoted to the rank of Captain June 2, 1980 and to the rank of Major on May 1, 1985. In July 1985, Shelton moved on to the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
. Following staff college, he was assigned to work for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
on Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. He moved on from Colorado Springs in August 1988 to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to work for the Secretary of the Air Force in the office of Space Plans and Policy. Promoted to 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...
on March 1, 1990, he took command of the 2d Space Operations Squadron
2d Space Operations Squadron
The 2d Space Operations Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Its mission is to manage the Navstar Global Positioning System satellite constellation for global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection.2 SOPS is augmented by...
at Falcon AFB in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado 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...
in August of the same year.
After his first command tour, Shelton served as executive officer to the Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command for a year beginning in June 1992. He moved on to assume command of the 50th Operations Group
50th Operations Group
The 50th Operations Group is a component of the 50th Space Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Space Command. The group is stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado....
at Falcon AFB from June 1993 to July 1994. While in command he was promoted to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
on February 1, 1994. Following his second command tour, Shelton returned to school at the National War College
National War College
The 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...
at 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...
in Washington, DC. There he earned a Master of Science
Master of Science
A 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:...
in national security strategy, graduating in May 1995.
Following his War College tour, Shelton served as the Deputy Program Manager and Executive Assistant for the Cooperative Threat Reduction
Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction
The Cooperative Threat Reduction Program is an initiative housed within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency...
Program Office which fell under the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs in Washington, DC. In 1996, he attended the Program for Senior Officials in National Security at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
and Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
. In September 1997 he assumed command of the 90th Space Wing
90th Space Wing
The 90th Missile Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command Twentieth Air Force. It is stationed at Francis E...
at Francis E. Warren AFB in Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. From September 1999 to July 2000 he was again in Washington, DC this time as the Chief of the Space Superiority Division in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs. He followed this assignment by serving from July 2000 to November 2000 as Director of Manpower and Organization in the same office.
Flag assignments
In November 2000 Shelton moved to assume the role of Director of Requirements at the Headquarters of Air Force Space CommandAir Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. There he was promoted to Brigadier General on January 1, 2001. He stayed at Air Force Space Command until June 2003 holding various positions including Director of Plans and Programs and Director of Air and Space Operations.
Following his tour at Air Force Space Command he moved on to the United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
on Offutt AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 50,137 at the 2010 census. Eight miles south of Omaha, Bellevue is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Originally settled in the 1830s, It was the first state capitol. Bellevue was incorporated in...
. There he served as Director of Capability and Resource Integration and Director of Plans and Policy. He was also promoted to 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...
on July 1, 2004.
In May 2005, Shelton moved to assume command of the 14th Air Force from Vandenberg AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In July 2006, he also assumed command of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space
Joint Functional Component Command for Space
The Joint Functional Component Command for Space is a component of US Strategic Command. The Command was established on 19 July 2006, and activated on 12 September 2006, under the command of General William L. Shelton...
, which is attached to the United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
.
The President nominated Maj Gen Shelton for the appointment to lieutenant general with continued assignment as the 14 AF/CC and CDR JFCC SPACE (Ref: 8 November 2007 Senior Leader Announcement, AF/A1). After Senate confirmation, Lt Gen Shelton pinned on his new rank 8 January 2008. Gen Kevin P. Chilton
Kevin P. Chilton
Kevin Patrick "Chilli" Chilton , is an engineer and a former United States Air Force four-star general. His last assignment was as Commander, U.S. Strategic Command from October 3, 2007 to January 28, 2011. Prior to his appointment to general officer ranks, Chilton spent 11 years of his military...
, CDRUSSTRATCOM, presided; Gen C. Robert Kehler
C. Robert Kehler
General Claude Robert "Bob" Kehler, USAF is the current Commander, U.S. Strategic Command. He previously served as Commander, Air Force Space Command from October 12, 2007 to January 5, 2011. As commander of Air Force Space Command, he was responsible for the development, acquisition and operation...
, AFSPC/CC, also spoke during the ceremony held at Vandenberg AFB, CA.
In December 2008, Lt Gen Shelton was appointed Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.
On 5 Jan 2011, Lt General Shelton was promoted to the rank of general and became Commander, Air Force Space Command.
Badges and major awards and decorations
Badges- Basic Communications and Information Badge
- Command Space Badge
- Parachutist Badge
- Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification BadgeThe 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...
Awards and decorations
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe 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 MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe 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 oak leaf cluster
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 oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
with oak leaf cluster
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 four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit AwardJoint Meritorious Unit AwardThe 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...
with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster