Washington, D.C. (Agencies) July 19, 2025: The White House has nominated Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, to serve as the next Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, a move that signals continuity in strategic deterrence leadership amid sweeping personnel changes across the Pentagon.
The nomination was announced Friday, with the Pentagon confirming that Lt. Gen. Stephen Davis, currently the Air Force’s inspector general, has been tapped to succeed Bussiere as head of Global Strike Command. The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to begin confirmation hearings later this month.
Bussiere, a decorated command pilot with over 3,400 flight hours, has led Global Strike since December 2022, overseeing the nation’s strategic bomber fleet—including B-1 Lancers, B-2 Spirits, and B-52H Stratofortresses—as well as the Minuteman III ICBM arsenal. Under his leadership, the command has advanced modernization efforts, including the integration of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and upgrades to legacy platforms.
His combat experience spans multiple theaters, including Operation Southern Watch, Operation Vigilant Warrior, Operation Allied Force, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he flew both fighter and bomber missions. Bussiere has also piloted the F-15C Eagle, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and F-22 Raptor.
If confirmed, Bussiere will succeed Gen. Jim Slife, who was dismissed by President Donald Trump in February amid a broader reshuffle of senior military leadership. Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus has served as acting vice chief since Slife’s departure.
In parallel, the White House has nominated Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton of the Space Force to become Vice Chief of Space Operations, succeeding Gen. Michael Guetlein, who was confirmed Thursday to lead the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative.
The Pentagon also announced that Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara, currently deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, has been nominated to become the Air Force’s next Director of Staff.
Bussiere’s nomination comes at a pivotal moment for the Air Force, as it navigates nuclear modernization, force restructuring, and evolving global threats. His extensive operational background and strategic command experience are expected to bolster Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin’s vision for a more agile and resilient Air Force.