| Michael W. Wooley | |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1972–2007 |
| Rank: | Lieutenant General |
| Commands: | Air Force Special Operations Command Third Air Force Tanker Airlift Control Center 86th Airlift Wing 375th Airlift Wing 17th Military Airlift Squadron |
| Awards: | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal |
| Alma Mater: | Northeast Louisiana University Squadron Officer SchoolWebster University Air Command and Staff College USAF Air War College Industrial College of the Armed Forces |
Lieutenant General Michael W. Wooley is a retired United States Air Force officer. He finished his career as the commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), a component of the United States Special Operations Command. At the time of his retirement, the command included approximately 12,900 active-duty, reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian professionals.
Wolley received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Northeast Louisiana University in 1972. He also completed undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He then attended Squadron Officer School, by correspondence, graduating in 1976.
He received a Master of Science degree in business and management from Webster University in 1981. In 1983, Wooley graduated from the Air Command and Staff College. He graduated from the USAF Air War College in 1985 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1992.
He completed the Executive Program for General Officers of the Russian Federation and the United States in 1999 and the Black Sea Security Program in 2003, both at the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University in 1999.
Wooley is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours. He received his first commission from Officer Training School. He commanded the 17th Military Airlift Squadron, the 375th and 86th Airlift Wings, and the Tanker Airlift Control Center.
At United States Forces Korea, Wooley was responsible for formulating strategy and policy for matters about the Republic of Korea and Northeast Asia. He became the Commander of the Third Air Force which was stationed at the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, Suffolk, England.
He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1997, Major General in 2000, and Lieutenant General in 2004. His final commission was as the commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), a component of the United States Special Operations Command. At the time of his retirement, the command included approximately 12,900 active-duty, reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian professionals.[1]
Wooley is rated as a command pilot. He has accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours. He has flown the following aircraft:
| US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
| Air Force Distinguished Service Medal | ||
| Defense Superior Service Medal | ||
| Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster | ||
| Bronze Star Medal | ||
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster | ||
| Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters | ||
| Air Medal with oak leaf cluster | ||
| Joint Service Commendation Medal | ||
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters | ||
| Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster | ||
| Combat Readiness Medal | ||
| National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars | ||
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | ||
| Kosovo Campaign Medal | ||
| Humanitarian Service Medal with service star | ||
| 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 | ||
| Order of National Security Merit Sam-Il Medal (Republic of Korea) |