Kevin Schneider Explained

Kevin Schneider
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Air Force
Branch Label:Branch
Serviceyears:1988–present
Rank:General
Battles:Iraq War

Kevin Bruce Schneider[1] is a United States Air Force general who has served as the commander of the Pacific Air Forces since 2024. He previously served as director of staff of the United States Air Force from 2021 to 2024.[2] He also served as the commander of the United States Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force.[3]

Air Force career

Kevin Schneider was raised in Springfield, Virginia, and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988 with a degree in engineering science.[4] He attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, and graduated in 1999. He attended F-16 Fighting Falcon training at MacDill Air Force Base, and was stationed at Osan Air Base and Misawa Air Base. In 1996, he graduated from the USAF Weapons School. He was then stationed at Shaw Air Force Base and as a Weapons School instructor at Nellis Air Force Base. He served as the aide-de-camp for then-Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Michael E. Ryan.[5] He served as chief of the 52nd Fighter Wing Weapons and Tactics at Spangdahlem Air Base, and commanded the 80th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base. He attended the Marine Corps War College, and served as the deputy commander of the 56th Operations Group and as vice commander of the 388th Fighter Wing. He commanded the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra Air Base. He then served as the chief of staff of the Pacific Air Forces and Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii. In February 2019, he assumed command of Fifth Air Force and United States Forces Japan.[6] [7] In July 2021, he was nominated and confirmed to succeed Timothy Fay as Director of Staff of the United States Air Force. He assumed the position on September 8, 2021.[8] [9]

In April 2023, Schneider was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as commander of the Pacific Air Forces.[10] [11]

Awards and decorations

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote fifth award)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon (Japan)[12]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Polaris . 1985 . United States Air Force Academy . Colorado Springs, Colorado . XXVII . 521 . February 21, 2019.
  2. Web site: Lieutenant General Kevin B. Schneider (USAF) . . May 14, 2021 . . August 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514041217/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108888/lieutenant-general-kevin-b-schneider . May 14, 2021 . live.
  3. Web site: U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force Change of Command. Facebook. August 26, 2021.
  4. Book: Polaris . 1988 . United States Air Force Academy . Colorado Springs, Colorado . XXX . 184 . February 21, 2019.
  5. Web site: General Michael E. Ryan. Biographies. US Air Force. September 2001. February 21, 2019 .
  6. Web site: Schneider. Kevin. Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, U.S. Forces Japan & 5th Air Force Change of Command Speech As Delivered. United States Forces Japan. February 5, 2019. February 11, 2019 .
  7. Web site: Carlson. Derek. Lt. Gen. Schneider Takes Command of U.S. Military in Japan. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. February 5, 2019. February 11, 2019 .
  8. Web site: PN810 — Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider — Air Force. July 14, 2021. U.S. Congress.
  9. Web site: McCullouch. Amy. July 14, 2021. Biden Nominates First Commander for Space Systems Command, New Boss at AMC. July 14, 2021. Air Force Magazine. en-US.
  10. Web site: PN535 — Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider — Air Force. 2023-04-20. 2023-04-20. U.S. Congress.
  11. Web site: General Officer Announcements. U.S. Department of Defense.
  12. Web site: limited . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/131688770239565/5867038183371233 . April 27, 2022. U.S. Forces Japan (在日米軍司令部) on Facebook . Facebook.