| Steven L. Kwast | |
| Birth Place: | Stockton, California, U.S.[1] |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1986–2019 |
| Rank: | Lieutenant General |
| Commands: | Air Education and Training Command Air University 455th Air Expeditionary Wing 4th Fighter Wing 47th Operations Group |
| Battles: | Gulf War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards: | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal |
Steven Lloyd Kwast[2] is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general. He last served as commander of Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. In that role, he was responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force personnel. The command includes Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. The command operates more than 1,400 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft, 23 wings, 10 bases and five geographically separated groups. It trains more than 293,000 students per year with approximately 60,000 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian and contractor personnel.[3]
Raised in Cameroon,[2] Kwast was commissioned into the Air Force upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1986. After completing a Masters of Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, he was assigned to undergraduate pilot training and earned his pilot wings in June 1989. Kwast subsequently completed F-15E Strike Eagle training at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. General Kwast has served as military aide to the United States Vice President and completed a National Defense Fellowship with the Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology and Policy at Boston University, Massachusetts.[3]
Kwast commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, including the 47th Operations Group at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. He also served as the deputy director for Colonel Matters, Air Force Senior Leader Management Office, Washington, D.C., and as the commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. General Kwast was the deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs for Europe, NATO and Russia, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. Prior to his last assignment, General Kwast was the Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He has more than 3,300 flying hours, including more than 650 combat hours during operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Allied Force and Enduring Freedom.[3]
Kwast was nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general by the president on August 1, 2014.[4] He was promoted to Lieutenant General November 10, 2014.[5] Kwast was nominated for appointment to the rank of major general by the president on May 3, 2011.[6] He was promoted to major general May 4, 2012.[7] On July 31, 2009 Kwast was promoted to the grade of brigadier general at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
| Lieutenant General | November 10, 2014 | ||
| Major General | May 4, 2012 | ||
| Brigadier General | July 31, 2009 | ||
| Colonel | August 1, 2003 | ||
| Lieutenant Colonel | July 1, 1999 | ||
| Major | August 1, 1996 | ||
| Captain | May 28, 1990 | ||
| First Lieutenant | May 28, 1988 | ||
| Second Lieutenant | May 28, 1986 |