| Jeannie Leavitt | |
| Birth Name: | Jeannie Marie Flynn |
| Birth Place: | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1991–2023 |
| Rank: | Major General |
| Commands: | Air Force Safety Center Air Force Recruiting Service 57th Wing 4th Fighter Wing 333d Fighter Squadron |
| Battles: | Operation Southern Watch Operation Northern Watch Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards: | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal |
| Spouse: | Colonel Craig Leavitt[1] |
Jeannie Marie Leavitt (née Flynn; born 1967) is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) general officer. She became the U.S. Air Force's first female fighter pilot in 1993, and was the first woman to command a USAF combat fighter wing.[2] In April 2021, she was appointed to replace Major General John T. Rauch as Chief of Safety of the United States Air Force, and assumed office on August 13, 2021.[3]
Leavitt was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to James, who was enlisted in the Air Force, and Pat Flynn.[4] She attended Bishop DuBourg High School, a private Roman Catholic school in St. Louis. After graduating in 1985 and before joining the Air Force, she earned a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a MS degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University in California.[5]
Leavitt began her Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas in 1992. She was being trained as a T-38 instructor pilot at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio when restrictions on women flying combat missions were dropped in April 1993. Thereafter she began formal combat training in the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, becoming the service's first female fighter pilot.[4] [6]
Leavitt's F-15 flight hours have included 300 combat hours, mostly over Afghanistan and Iraq. On one mission, during Operation Southern Watch in 1996, she supported a Royal Air Force Tornado GR1 under threat from an Iraqi Roland surface-to-air missile.[7]
From 2002 to 2010, Leavitt earned three master's degrees; a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University in Alabama (2002), a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base (2004), and a Master of National Security Strategy from the National War College (2010).[8]
Leavitt's first command was the 333d Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. She was appointed Commander of the 4th Fighter Wing, at the same base in June 2012.[8]
In June 2014, Leavitt relinquished command of the 4th Fighter Wing to become principal military assistant to the Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C.[9]
In 2016, Leavitt became the first woman to take control of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, and was promoted to brigadier general.[10] [11]
In June 2018, Leavitt relinquished command of the 57th Wing to become commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service at Randolph Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, in Texas.[12]
Leavitt assumed the post of Air Force Chief of Safety on August 13, 2021.[3] She retired from the Air Force on September 23, 2023.[13]
Leavitt is currently a member of the Engineering Advisory Board at the Cockrell School of Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, and a principal at Pallas Advisors.[14] She also serves as a Distinguished National Security Fellow at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas. [15]
Leavitt is married to retired USAF Colonel Craig Leavitt, and they have two children.[16]
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,000, including over 300 combat hours
Aircraft flown: McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, Northrop T-38 Talon, Cessna T-37 Tweet
Jeannie Leavitt's major decorations as of June 2020:
| Distinguished Service Medal | |
| Defense Superior Service Medal | |
| Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster | |
| Bronze Star Medal | |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters | |
| Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters | |
| Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters | |
| Aerial Achievement Medal | |
| Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster | |
1997: Outstanding Young Texas Exes, University of Texas at Austin
2009: Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Award, National Aeronautic Association
2018: Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award
2019: International Aviation Women’s Association, Wings Outstanding Aviator Award
2019: Harvard Business School, Executive Fellow in Executive Education
2019: The University of Texas at Austin, Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Distinguished Alumni
| Major General | September 2, 2019 | ||
| Brigadier General | July 3, 2016 | ||
| Colonel | October 1, 2009 | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel | March 1, 2006 | ||
| Major | May 1, 2002 | ||
| Captain | July 1, 1995 | ||
| First Lieutenant | July 1, 1993 | ||
| Second Lieutenant | July 1, 1991 |
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Air Force.