title: James Kowalski
text: # James Kowalski
  
  James M. Kowalski (born October 30, 1957) is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the Deputy Commander, United States Strategic Command from 2013 to 2015.
  
  ## Military career
  
  Kowalski entered active duty in 1980 through the ROTC program at the University of Cincinnati. He held a variety of operational commands, including a bomb squadron, an operations group, a bomb wing and an air control wing over his 35-year career. Kowalski retired from active duty on 1 September 2015.
  
  Kowalski's contingency and wartime experience include command of the 2nd Operations Group when the unit deployed B-52s for combat during operations Noble Anvil and Allied Force, and command of the 28th Bomb Wing when it deployed B-1Bs for Operation Iraqi Freedom. From January 2003 to May 2003, Kowalski commanded the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia where he led a combined wing of B-1Bs, E-3s and KC-135s to provide strike, battle management, and air refueling for operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. His previous staff assignments include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served as Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command until October 2013, when he became Deputy Commander of U.S. Strategic Command. He retired on September 1, 2015.
  
  ## Awards and decorations
  
  * US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
  * Basic Parachutist Badge
  * Master Missile Operations Badge
  * Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
  * Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  * Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
  * Defense Superior Service Medal
  * Legion of Merit with three bronze oak leaf clusters
  * Bronze Star Medal
  * Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  * Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  * Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
  * Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
  * Joint Service Commendation Medal
  * Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
  * Air Force Achievement Medal
  * Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
  * Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
  * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters
  * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote fifth award)
  * Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
  * National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
  * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  * Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
  * Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
  * Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
  * Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
  * Air Force Training Ribbon
  
  ## Dates of promotion
  
  | Rank | Date |
  | - | - |
  | Lieutenant general | Jan. 6, 2011 |
  | Major general | May 7, 2009 |
  | Brigadier general | Nov. 1, 2005 |
  | Colonel | May 1, 1999 |
  | Lieutenant colonel | Mar. 1, 1994 |
  | Major | Jan. 1, 1990 |
  | Captain | Mar. 14, 1983 |
  | First lieutenant | Mar. 14, 1981 |
  | Second lieutenant | Jun. 9, 1979 |
  