Brig. Gen. Shane Vesely is the Chief of Staff at Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He is responsible for the development of plans, policies and procedures to ensure efficient operation of the Headquarters PACAF staff and seamless interface with subordinate commands and agencies.
Brig. Gen. Vesely grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He attended UPT at Columbus Air Force Base and completed multiple operational assignments around the globe. He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing level. He is a command pilot with over 4,500 hours, and has flown the T-37, T-1, C130-E, MC-130E, MC-130H, MC-130J, C-208, UV-18B and CN-235. Prior to his current position, he served as the Deputy Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Joint Base Andrews, Md., by correspondence
2011 Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., correspondence
2017 Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1998–September 1999, Student Pilot, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2. September 1999–April 2000, C130E Mission Qualification Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
3. April 2000–August 2000, MC-130E Mission Qualification Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
4. August 2000–April 2004, MC-130E Pilot/Mobility Officer, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
5. April 2004–September 2004, MC-130H Mission Qualification Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
6. September 2004–October 2007, MC-130H Instructor Pilot/Exec Officer, 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
7. October 2007–March 2009, MC-130H Evaluator Pilot/Flight Commander, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
8. March 2009–March 2010, Wing Executive Officer, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
9. March 2010–December 2010, Assistant Operations Officer, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
10. December 2010–December 2011, Student, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
11. January 2012–June 2014, Operations Officer, 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
12. June 2014–June 2016, Commander, 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
13. June 2016–June 2017, Student, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I.
14. July 2017–September 2018, Deputy, then Director for Operations, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
15. September 2018–July 2019, Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
16. July 2019–June 2021, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Geographically Separated Unit
17. July 2021–July 2023, Commander, 353rd Special Operations Wing, Kadena AB, Japan
18. July 2023–May 2024, Deputy Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
19. May 2024–present, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2012–October 2012, Joint Special Operations Air Detachment Commander, Zamboanga, Phillipines, as a lieutenant colonel
2. July 2017–September 2018, Deputy, then Director for Operations, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, as a lieutenant colonel
3. September 2018–July 2019, Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, as a colonel
4. July 2023–May 2024, Deputy Commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: 4,650 (790 combat)
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-1, C-130E, MC-130E, MC-130H, MC-130J, C-208, UV-18B and CN-235
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Force Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
(Current as of May 2025)