Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Sheffield is the Deputy Director of Plans and Policy (J5), United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He leads a team of military, civilian, and contractor personnel responsible for the development of the nation’s day-to-day global deterrence and assurance campaign, strategic war plans, and Strategic Command’s contribution to national strategic policy. Additionally, Brig. Gen. Sheffield interfaces with the Department of Energy and the National Labs to ensure a safe and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile.
Brig. Gen. Sheffield received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy. He served in a variety of operational flying assignments in the B-1 and flew combat missions in operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. His command assignments include 37th Bomb Squadron Commander, 36th Operations Group Commander and 28th Bomb Wing Commander. He completed a number of joint and Air Force staff tours and was the Chief of House Legislative Affairs for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Prior to his current position, he served as the Holm Center Commander for Officer Accessions and Citizenship Development.
Brig. Gen. Sheffield is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours and 1,125 combat hours.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2008 Master of Business Administration, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
2009 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Master of Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master of National Security and Resource Strategy, Dwight D. Eisenhower School, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1997–December 1998, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. January 1999–September 1999, Student, B-1 Initial Qualification, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
3. October 1999–December 2003, B-1 Instructor Pilot, B-1 Evaluator Pilot, Flight Commander, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
4. January 2004–June 2004, Student, USAF Weapons Instructor Course, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
5. July 2004–June 2008, Squadron & Wing Weapons Officer, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
6. July 2008–July 2009, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. July 2009–July 2010, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. July 2010–July 2012, Chief of Future Operations & Executive Officer, 17th Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
9. August 2012–March 2014, Director of Operations, 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
10. April 2014–March 2016, Commander, 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
11. March 2016–August 2016, Deputy Commander, 28th Operations Group, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
12. August 2016–June 2017, Student, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
13. June 2017–June 2018, Branch Chief, Global Force Management, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
14. June 2018–June 2019, Division Chief, National Military Command System, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15. July 2019–June 2021, Commander, 36th Operations Group, Andersen AFB, Guam
16. June 2021–June 2023, Commander, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
17. July 2023–July 2024, Chief, House Liaison Office, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18. July 2024–June 2026, Commander, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accession and Citizen Development, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
19. June 2026–present, Deputy Director, Plans and Policy Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2017–June 2018, Branch Chief, Global Force Management, Operations Directorate (J3), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a lieutenant colonel
2. June 2018–June 2019, Division Chief, National Military Command System Operations (J3), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a colonel
3. June 2026–present, Deputy Director, Plans and Policy Directorate (J5), U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., as a brigadier general
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 3,600, including 1,125 combat hours
Aircraft flown: B-1, B-52 and T-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
(Current as of July 2026)