Brig. Gen. John Schutte is Chief of Staff at Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He develops and implements policies, plans, and programs on behalf of the commander for the strategic planning and operational execution of forces in support of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. He directs and supervises the organization and administration of the headquarters, guiding the management and sustainment of forces across two areas of responsibility spanning 104 countries.
Brig. Gen. Schutte entered the Air Force in 1999 through the ROTC program, graduating from the University of Virginia. He commanded at the squadron and wing levels. Additionally, his previous assignments include operational and staff tours in Europe, the Pentagon, Pacific Air Forces, and U.S. Air Forces Central Command. He is a master navigator with combat missions supporting numerous named operations.
Prior to his current assignment, Brig. Gen. Schutte served as deputy commander of Fifth Air Force, conducting joint and bilateral planning, and operations, activities, and investments for 15,000 Airmen responsible for the defense of Japan and regional contingency responses.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
1999 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Master of Arts in International Relations, Oklahoma University, Okla.
2006 Master of Arts in Organizational Management, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
2007 Air Force Intern Program - IDE Credit
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Master of Arts in Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
2017 Advanced Study Group Ph.D. Program - SDE Credit
2021 Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler School of Business, Chapel Hill, N.C.
2025 Combined Forces Air Component Commander Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1999–February 2000, Awaiting Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, 116th Air Control Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
2. February 2000–November 2000, JSUNT, 562nd Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. November 2000–July 2001, Student, 53rd Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
4. July 2001–July 2005, C-130E Instructor and Evaluator Navigator and Operations Group Executive Officer, 86th Operations Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
5. July 2005–July 2007, Junior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, then Action Officer in Skunkworks, A5XS, Air Force Intern, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. July 2007–November 2008, Country Director, Middle East and Africa Division, International Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
7. November 2008–July 2011, C-130H Instructor Navigator, Chief Navigator, Wing Executive Officer and then Director of Staff, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota AB, Japan
8. July 2011–July 2012, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. July 2012–June 2013, Airpower Strategist, Chief of Staff of the Air Force's Strategic Studies Group, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. June 2013–June 2014, Commander, 386th Operations Support Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB
11. June 2014–June 2017, Ph.D. Student and then Ph.D. Candidate, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
12. June 2017–June 2019, Vice Commander, 314th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
13. June 2019–June 2021, Commander, 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
14. June 2021–August 2024, Deputy Chief of Staff, United States European Command, Germany
15. August 2024–July 2026, Deputy Commander, Headquarters Fifth Air Force, Yokota AB, Japan
16. July 2026–present, Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, Ramstein AB, Germany
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: master navigator
Flight hours: more than 1,800, including 240 combat hours
Aircraft flown: C-130E/H/J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Company Grade Officer of the Year, 86th Airlift Wing
SAF/IA Team of the Year Award
Air Force Historical Association award for the best SAASS history thesis of AY 2011-2012
(Current as of July 2026)