title: Andrew A. Croft
text: # Andrew A. Croft
  
  Andrew A. Croft (born 1965) is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the military deputy commander of United States Southern Command from 2021 to 2023. Croft was commissioned through the ROTC program at University of California, Los Angeles in 1988.
  
  In July 2020, the United States Senate confirmed his promotion to lieutenant general and nomination to become the military deputy commander of the United States Southern Command, replacing Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn.
  
  Croft retired from the Air Force on February 25, 2023.
  
  ## Awards and decorations
  
  * US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
  * Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
  * United States Southern Command Identification Badge
  * Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
  * Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
  * Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  * Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  * Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
  * Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  * Joint Service Commendation Medal
  * Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
  * Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
  * Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote tenth award)
  * Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
  * National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
  * Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
  * Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
  * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  * Humanitarian Service Medal
  * Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
  * Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
  * Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
  * Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
  * Air Force Training Ribbon
  
  ## Effective dates of promotions
  
  | Rank | Date |
  | - | - |
  | Second lieutenant | January 10, 1989 |
  | First lieutenant | January 10, 1991 |
  | Captain | January 10, 1993 |
  | Major | June 1, 2000 |
  | Lieutenant colonel | April 1, 2004 |
  | Colonel | August 1, 2009 |
  | Brigadier general | June 10, 2015 |
  | Major general | August 3, 2018 |
  | Lieutenant general | December 28, 2020 |
  