New vice chief of staff takes office

  • Published
Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler is the new vice chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding Gen. William M. Fraser III who held the position since October 2008.

General Chandler comes to the Pentagon after two years of service as commander of Pacific Air Forces; Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command; and Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

The vice chief of staff assists the chief of staff with organizing, training, and equipping of 680,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. General Chandler also presides over the Air Staff and serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group.

General Chandler is a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and has commanded a major command, numbered air force, two fighter wings, a support group and a fighter squadron. His staff assignments include tours at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, the Pentagon, Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command, Headquarters U.S. Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia and Headquarters Allied Air Forces Southern Europe.

The general is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours, principally in fighter aircraft. He has received numerous awards for his military service including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Legion of Merit.