The State of the U.S. Air Force: A Conversation with General David L. Goldfein

Description

The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Merrill Center for Strategic Studies presents a discussion on "The State of the U.S. Air Force" with Gen. David L. Goldfein, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. The discussion is moderated by Mara Karlin, director of the Strategic Studies Program and the Merrill Center and associate professor of the practice.

Gen. David L. Goldfein is chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. As chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 685,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the secretary of defense, National Security Council and the president.

Prior to assuming his current position, Gen. Goldfein was the vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, where he presided over the Air Staff and served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group. Before serving as the vice chief, Gen. Goldfein was the director of Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

Gen. Goldfein received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-16C/D, F-117A, MQ-9, and MC-12W. He has flown combat missions in operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Allied Force, and Enduring Freedom.