| Arnold W. Bunch Jr. | |
| Birth Date: | 8 April 1962 |
| Birth Place: | Morristown, Tennessee, United States |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1984–2022 |
| Rank: | General |
| Commands: | Air Force Materiel Command Air Force Test Center Air Force Security Assistance Center 412th Test Wing 419th Flight Test Squadron |
| Awards: | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (3) |
Arnold Webster Bunch Jr.[1] (born April 8, 1962) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general. He last served as the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is responsible for installation and mission support, discovery and development, test and evaluation, life cycle management services and sustainment of virtually every major Air Force weapon system. The command employs approximately 80,000 people and manages $60 billion of budget authority annually. Before his current assignment, he was the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition at The Pentagon.
After retirement from active duty on August 1, 2022, Bunch is scheduled to assume office as director of the Hamblen County school system.[2]
Born in Tennessee,[3] Bunch was commissioned upon graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1984.[4]
Upon completion of Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1985, Bunch completed operational assignments as an instructor, evaluator and aircraft commander for Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. He graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School in 1991. He then conducted developmental testing in the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and B-52, and served as an instructor in each. Additionally, he has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels and was the commander of the Air Force Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California.[4]
In December 2018, Bunch was nominated by President Donald Trump for promotion to general to assume command of the Air Force Materiel Command,[5] [6] but his nomination was later returned by the Senate without a vote in January 2019.[7] The nomination was resubmitted in April 2019.[8] The Armed Services Committee confirmed Bunch for a fourth star and the post of Commander of Air Force Materiel Command on May 23, and Bunch took over command eight days later.
His major awards and decorations include:
| Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||
| Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters | ||
| Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster | ||
| Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster | ||
| Air Force Commendation Medal | ||
| Air Force Achievement Medal | ||
| Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters | ||
| Combat Readiness Medal | ||
| National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | ||
| Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters | ||
| Air Force Training Ribbon |
| General | May 31, 2019 | |
| Lieutenant general | June 24, 2015 | |
| Major general | Aug. 23, 2013 | |
| Brigadier general | May 7, 2010 | |
| Colonel | June 1, 2004 | |
| Lieutenant colonel | Sept. 1, 1998 | |
| Major | Dec. 1, 1995 | |
| Captain | May 30, 1988 | |
| First lieutenant | May 30, 1986 | |
| Second lieutenant | May 30, 1984 | |