Major General William L. Shelton commands the 14th Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. He has held numerous positions of leadership throughout the United States Air Force and has extensive experience with space issues. The United States Fourteenth Air Force, also 14th Air Force (14 AF), is a Numbered Air Force (NAF) of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). ... The Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE) is a component of US Strategic Command. ... Boeing Delta 4 Medium+ (4,2) lifts off from Space Launch Complex Six (SLC-6) at Vandenberg AFB, California (Official photo by Thom Baur for the Boeing Company) Vandenberg Air Force Base (IATA: VBG, ICAO: KVBG) is a United States military installation with a spaceport, in Santa Barbara County, California... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ...

Biography

Background and education

William Shelton graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering. The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA or Air Force),[1] located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States, is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers for the United States Air Force. ... The City of Colorado Springs is the second most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 49th most populous city in the United States. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering concerning aircraft, spacecraft and related topics. ...

US Air Force officer career

Upon graduation, Shelton was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on June 2, 1976. His first assignment was as a launch facilities manager, launch director and technical assistant to the commander from August 1976 - May 1979 at the Space and Missile Test Center, Vandenberg AFB, California. While at Vandenberg, he was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 2, 1978. Following his first assignment, Shelton reported to the US Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He graduated with a Master of Science in astronautical engineering in December 1980. Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education that is part of the United States Air Force. ... Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties, adjacent to Fairborn and Dayton, Ohio. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... A masters degree is an academic degree usually awarded for completion of a postgraduate course of one or two years in duration. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

After graduation, Shelton was assigned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas where he worked as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller until July 1985. While in Texas he was promoted to the rank of Captain June 2, 1980 and to the rank of Major on May 1, 1985. In July 1985, Shelton moved on to the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Following staff college, he was assigned to work for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Air Force Space Command on Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He moved on from Colorado Springs in August 1988 to Washington, DC to work for the Secretary of the Air Force in the office of Space Plans and Policy. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on March 1, 1990, he took command of the 2d Space Operations Squadron at Falcon AFB in Colorado in August of the same year. An aerial view of the complete Johnson Space Center facility in Houston, Texas in 1989. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: , Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837 Government  - Mayor Bill White Area  - City  601. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... The Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946 and incorporated into the National Defense University in August 1981. ... Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ... Air Force Space Command emblem Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is a major command of the United States Air Force with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, USA. It was created on September 1, 1982. ... Peterson Air Force Base (Peterson AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located in El Paso County, Colorado near Colorado Springs. ... The City of Colorado Springs is the second most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 49th most populous city in the United States. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... The Secretary of the Air Force is the civilian head of the United States Department of the Air Force, a component organization of the Department of Defense. ... Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel is a rank of the United States armed forces which is currently used by the United States Army, United States Air Force and United States Marine Corps. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... 2 SOPS emblem The 2d Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) is a unit of the United States Air Force at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. ... Senior Airman Nayibe Ramos runs through a checklist during Global Positioning System satellite operations. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ...

After his first command tour, Shelton served as executive officer to the Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command for a year beginning in June 1992. He moved on to assume command of the 50th Operations Group at Falcon AFB from June 1993 to July 1994. While in command he was promoted to Colonel on February 1, 1994. Following his second command tour, Shelton returned to school at the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC. There he earned a Master of Science in national security strategy graduating in May 1995. Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... The National War College (NWC) of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. ... Military District of Washington Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Military District of Washington Distinctive Unit insignia Fort Lesley J. McNair, DC is located on the point of land where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers join in Washington, D.C. It has been an Army post for more than 200 years, third only... A masters degree is an academic degree usually awarded for completion of a postgraduate course of one or two years in duration. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...

Following his War College tour, Shelton served as the Deputy Program Manager and Executive Assistant for the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program Office which fell under the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs in Washington, DC. In 1996, he attended the Program for Senior Officials in National Security at Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University. In September 1997 he assumed command of the 90th Space Wing at Francis E. Warren AFB in Wyoming. From September 1999 to July 2000 he was again in Washington, DC this time as the Chief of the Space Superiority Division in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs. He followed this assignment by serving from July 2000 to November 2000 as Director of Manpower and Organization in the same office. The Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program is a 1991 U.S. law sponsored by Senators Richard Lugar and Sam Nunn. ... Syracuse University (SU) is a private nonsectarian research university located in Syracuse, New York. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Year 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar). ... The 90th Space Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force which is responsible for operating intercontinental ballistic missiles as part of the nuclear deterrant force of the United States. ... Francis E. Warren Air Force Base (IATA: FEW, ICAO: KFEW) is a base of the United States Air Force. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area  Ranked 10th  - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 km²)  - Width 280 miles (450 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 0. ...

Flag assignments

In November 2000 Shelton moved to assume the role of Director of Requirements at the Headquarters of Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There he was promoted to Brigadier General on January 1, 2001. He stayed at Air Force Space Command until June 2003 holding various positions including Director of Plans and Programs and Director of Air and Space Operations. Air Force Space Command emblem Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is a major command of the United States Air Force with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, USA. It was created on September 1, 1982. ... The City of Colorado Springs is the second most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 49th most populous city in the United States. ...

Following his tour at Air Force Space Command he moved on to the United States Strategic Command on Offutt AFB in Bellevue, Nebraska. There he served as Director of Capability and Resource Integration and Director of Plans and Policy. He was also promoted to Major General on July 1, 2004. USSTRATCOM emblem The LeMay building United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense which controls the nuclear weapons assets of the United States military. ... Offutt Air Force Base (Offutt AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force and a census-designated place (CDP) located in Sarpy County, Nebraska. ... Bellevue is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In May 2005, Shelton moved to assume command of the 14th Air Force from Vandenberg AFB, California. In July 2006, he also assumed command of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, which is attached to the United States Strategic Command. The United States Fourteenth Air Force, also 14th Air Force (14 AF), is a Numbered Air Force (NAF) of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). ... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE) is a component of US Strategic Command. ...

Badges and major awards and decorations

Badges

• Command Space Badge
• Parachutist Badge

Awards and decorations

• Distinguished Service Medal
• Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
• Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster

References

• Official Air Force Bio