Steven L. Basham Explained

Steven L. Basham
Birth Place:Bowling Green, Kentucky, US
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Air Force
Serviceyears:1989–2024
Rank:Lieutenant general
Commands:2nd Bomb Wing
393rd Bomb Squadron
Awards:Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross

Steven L. Basham (born 1965) is a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who last served as the deputy commander of the United States European Command. He previously served as deputy commander of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa from 2019 to 2022.[1]

Born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky,[2] [3] Basham was commissioned through Officer Training School in 1989. He has completed numerous flying, staff and command assignments and is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in the B-1, B-2 and B-52.

In April 2022, Basham was nominated for assignment as deputy commander of the United States European Command.[4] [5]

Awards and decorations

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with "N" Device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon

Effective dates of promotions

! Rank !! Date
Second lieutenantJanuary 27, 1989
First lieutenantJanuary 27, 1991
CaptainJanuary 27, 1993
MajorJuly 1, 1999
Lieutenant colonelMarch 1, 2002
ColonelAugust 1, 2007
Brigadier generalAugust 2, 2013
Major generalJuly 3, 2017
Lieutenant generalMay 1, 2019

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lieutenant General Steven L. Basham (USAF) . . October 16, 2020 . . August 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201016162033/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/467205/lieutenant-general-steven-l-basham/ . October 16, 2020 . live.
  2. Web site: Bowling Green native promoted to Air Force lieutenant general. CAROLINE. EGGERS. Bowling Green Daily News.
  3. Web site: Lt Gen Steven Basham. May 27, 2022.
  4. Web site: General Officer Announcements. April 26, 2022. United States Department of Defense.
  5. Web site: PN1977 — Lt. Gen. Steven L. Basham — Air Force. April 25, 2022. United States Congress.