| Honorific Prefix: | General |
| John P. Jumper | |
| Birth Date: | 4 February 1945 |
| Birth Place: | Paris, Texas |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1966–2005 |
| Rank: | General |
| Unit: | 459th Airlift Squadron |
| Commands: | Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Headquarters ACC Allied Air Forces Central Europe U.S. Air Forces in Europe U.S. Central Command Air Forces Ninth Air Force 57th Fighter Weapons Wing 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron |
| Battles: | Vietnam War (1966-1975) Afghanistan War (2001-2005) |
| Awards: | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Meritorious Service Medal (3) Air Medal (18)Legion of Honor (received from France) |
| Alma Mater: | Virginia Military Institute (BA) Golden Gate University (MA) |
| Children: | 3 |
| Laterwork: | CEO of Leidos (2012-2014) |
John Phillip Jumper[1] (born February 4, 1945) is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) general, who served as 17th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from September 6, 2001 to September 2, 2005. He retired from the USAF on November 1, 2005. Jumper was succeeded as Chief of Staff by General T. Michael Moseley.
Early Life
John Jumper was born on February 4, 1945 in Paris, Texas. Jumper has stated that his father general Jimmy Jefferson Jumper enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II "probably for a way to get out of Paris, Texas", became a pilot, and retired as a two star general. While his father served in the occupation of Japan after World War II, John and his mother once traveled aboard a liberty ship to join his father there.[2] John Jumper's grandfather, Delbert Lee Jumper was a cotton farmer from Paris, Texas and served in the U.S. Navy during World War One.[3] [4] [5]
John went on to earn his commission as a distinguished graduate of Virginia Military Institute's Air Force ROTC program in 1966. He has commanded a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, a Numbered Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Allied Air Forces Central Europe.
Career
Prior to becoming Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the general served as Commander of Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base. Jumper has also served at the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, as the Senior Military Assistant to two secretaries of defense, and as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Roles and Missions. A command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, principally in fighter aircraft, Jumper served two tours in Southeast Asia, accumulating more than 1,400 combat hours. Jumper retired from the Air Force on November 1, 2005.
In June 2007 Jumper joined Board of Directors of Science Applications International Corporation, a federal contractor company.[6] On March 1, 2012 Jumper became SAIC's CEO[7] and was essential in splitting the company into two. After the split Jumper remained the CEO of the company which changed its name to Leidos.[8] Jumper retired as CEO in July 2014, when Roger Krone succeeded him as the company's new CEO, but Jumper stayed on as chairman of the company's board of directors.[9]
Honors
The General John P. Jumper Awards for Excellence in Warfighting Integration is named in his honor.[10]
On May 18, 2024 Nellis Airforce Base dedicated its new headquarters building in honor of Jumper. It was named the General John P. Jumper Headquarters Complex. During the ceremony retired Airforce General Lori Robinson stated "Today we are honoring a leader, warrior, mentor and visionary — someone who represents the heart and soul of our Air Force".[11]
Family
Jumper has three daughters Melissa, Catherine, and Janet. All of whom have served in the Air Force.[12] On November 6, 2022 his daughter Catherine was promoted to brigadier general and Commander of the Virginia National Guard Air Component. John Jumper served as the presiding official over the ceremony.[13]
Jumper appeared as himself in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Lost City: Part 2" (S07E22).[14]
| General | November 17, 1997 | ||
| Lieutenant General | September 1, 1994 | ||
| Major General | February 1, 1992 | ||
| Brigadier General | August 1, 1989 | ||
| Colonel | October 1, 1985 | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel | October 1, 1980 | ||
| Major | January 1, 1978 | ||
| Captain | June 12, 1969 | ||
| First Lieutenant | December 12, 1967 | ||
| Second Lieutenant | June 12, 1966 |
On June 7, 2005 General Jumper apologized to Senator McCain for internal Air Force emails about the Senator in the context of the tanker lease scandal, calling them "unprofessional and not worthy of a great Air Force."[16]
Members of the United States Air Force were under investigation by the FBI for having awarded a $50 million contract for audio-visual presentation services to Strategic Message Solutions of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.[17] [18] [19] The contract involved the "Thundervision" project, meant to provide oversized video screens and perhaps content services during air shows that featured the Air Force Thunderbirds. The investigation revolves around possible involvement of Jumper, and then Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley. It was suggested that the contract price was inflated, because a friend of the two generals, Air Force General (ret.) Hal Hornburg, was associated with Strategic Message Solutions.[20] Two companies involved in the bidding process protested award of the contract, one having offered comparable services for half as much. The Air Force later cancelled the contract.[21]