Timothy Ray Explained

Timothy M. Ray
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:United States Air Force
Serviceyears:1985–2021
Rank:General
Commands:Air Force Global Strike Command
Third Air Force
NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan
7th Bomb Wing
96th Bomb Squadron
Battles:War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Awards:Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal

Timothy Michael Ray[1] is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command from August 21, 2018, to August 27, 2021.[2] He concurrently served as the commander of Air Forces Strategic – Air, United States Strategic Command. His two previous assignments were as the Deputy Commander, United States European Command, and as the Commander, Third Air Force. He previously served as the director of global power programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C.[3]

Military career

Ray is a native of DeLand, Florida.[4] In February 2018, he was nominated for promotion to general[5] and reassignment as the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command.[6] This nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate in March 2018.[5] Prior to his current assignment, Ray served as the Deputy Commander, United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

His retirement ceremony was held on July 1, 2021, but it took until August of the same year before his deputy, Lieutenant General Anthony J. Cotton officially relieved him as commander of Air Force Global Strike Command.[7] Ray officially retired from the USAF on September 1, 2021.[8]

Education

Assignments

1. August 1985 – August 1987, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Ariz.
2. August 1987 – October 1987, student, B-52 combat crew training, Castle AFB, Calif.
3. November 1987 – March 1993, B-52 flight commander, instructor and evaluator pilot, 23rd Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
4. March 1993 – March 1994, B-52 Flying Training Unit instructor pilot, Castle AFB, Calif.
5. March 1994 – June 1997, B-52 FTU instructor pilot and executive officer, 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, La.
6. June 1997 – July 1998, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. July 1998 – October 2000, Deputy Chief, Aircraft Team, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
8. October 2000 – June 2001, operations officer, 11th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
9. June 2001 – July 2003, Commander, 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
10. August 2003 – June 2004, student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. July 2004 – September 2005, Chief, Training, Readiness, Exercises and NEO Division (J37), U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Army Garrison, South Korea
12. September 2005 – July 2006, Vice Commander, 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.
13. July 2006 – June 2008, Commander, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
14. July 2008 – July 2009, deputy director of Air and Space Operations at Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
15. August 2009 – August 2011, Director of Operations, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
16. August 2011 – September 2012, Commanding General, NATO Air Training Command – Afghanistan, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan and Commander, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, Kabul, Afghanistan
17. September 2012 – January 2014, Director, Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
18. February 2014 – June 2015, Director, Global Power Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
19. July 2015 – October 2016, Commander, 3rd Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
20. November 2016 – August 2018, Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany
21. August 2018 – August 2021, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Commander, Air Forces Strategic – Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale AFB, La.

Flight information

Rating: Command Pilot.
Flight hours: more than 4,000.
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, B-52G, B-52H, B-1B, C-21, C-27A and C-208.

Awards and decorations

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster[9]
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device, one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and silver oak leaf cluster
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 National Security Merit Sam-Il Medal (Republic of Korea)
NATO Medal for service with ISAF

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions! Insignia !! Rank !! Date
GeneralAug. 21, 2018
Lieutenant GeneralJuly 2, 2015
Major GeneralJune 2, 2013
Brigadier GeneralNov. 2, 2009
ColonelAug. 1, 2004
Lieutenant ColonelMay 1, 2000
MajorFeb. 1, 1997
CaptainMay 29, 1989
First LieutenantMay 29, 1987
Second LieutenantMay 29, 1985

Notes and References

  1. Book: Polaris . 1985 . United States Air Force Academy . Colorado Springs, Colorado . XXVII . 84 . February 21, 2019.
  2. Web site: Gen. Anthony J. Cotton takes command of Air Force Global Strike Command. MSgt Micky Pena. Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs. August 27, 2021. Air Force Global Strike Command.
  3. Web site: Lieutenant General Timothy M. Ray. United States Air Force. July 29, 2015.
  4. Web site: New 3rd AF commander charts path to organizational success. Aug 27, 2015. Kaiserslautern American. Aug 28, 2021.
  5. Web site: PN1665 — Lt. Gen. Timothy M. Ray — Air Force. February 27, 2018. U.S. Congress. February 28, 2018.
  6. Web site: General Officer Announcements. March 1, 2018. U.S. Department of Defense. March 23, 2018.
  7. Web site: Cohen. Rachel. June 24, 2021. Cotton nominated to run Air Force's nuclear enterprise at pivotal time. June 25, 2021. Military Times. en-US.
  8. Web site: GENERAL TIMOTHY M. RAY. www.af.mil.
  9. AFGSC . AFGSC . AFGlobalStrike . 1413141314841894918 . July 8, 2021 .
    1. Congratulations to Gen. Ray, commander of @AFGlobalStrike, on his retirement. #ThankYouForYourService and dedication to our nation and #StrikerNation! #StrikerCulture https://t.co/FsibytaxhU
    . en . February 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220108021908/https://twitter.com/AFGlobalStrike/status/1413141314841894918 . January 8, 2022 . live.