Stayce Harris Explained

Stayce D. Harris
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, US[1]
Serviceyears:1982–2019
Rank:Lieutenant General
Commands:Twenty-Second Air Force
459th Air Refueling Wing
494th Air Expeditionary Group
729th Airlift Squadron
Awards:Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal

Stayce D. Harris (born 1959) is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General who last served as the Inspector General of the Air Force. Harris previously served as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, Headquarters, United States Air Force. She also served as Deputy Chairman of the Air Force Council, and was the Air Force accreditation official for the international Corps of Air Attachés. Harris' promotion to Lieutenant General was a first for African-American females, as she is the first to hold the three-star rank in the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, she is the first Air Force Reservist to be promoted to the three-star rank other than the Commander, Air Force Reserve Command. Prior to her assignment as Assistant Vice Chief of Staff, Harris was Commander, Twenty-Second Air Force.[2]

Harris received her commission in 1981 through Air Force ROTC at the University of Southern California serving on active duty until transferring to the Air Force Reserve in 1991. While in the reserves Harris has served as in Individual Mobilization Augmentee in multiple staff assignments. She has also commanded the 459th Air Refueling Wing,494th Air Expeditionary Group, and 729th Airlift Squadron. Harris is a Command Pilot having flown more than 2,500 hours in military aircraft. Those aircraft include the C-130H, KC-135R, C-141B/C, T-38, and T-37.[3]

Awards and decorations

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon

Professional Memberships and Associations

Dates of promotion

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stayce D. Harris (1959-) •. 13 January 2020.
  2. Web site: Pawlyk. Oriana. History-Making Air Force General Isn't About 'Firsts'. Military.com. Military Advantage. 22 May 2017. 10 Oct 2016.
  3. Web site: Lieutenant General Stayce D. Harris. United States Air Force. 22 May 2017.