Brig. Gen. Daniel C. Diehl is the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike capability and combat support to U.S. Strategic Command and other geographic combatant commands. The command is comprised of more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 12 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve wings; and the Joint Global Strike Operations Center. Brig. Gen. Diehl leads a staff of more than 1,000 military and civilian personnel and has direct oversight of the Commander’s Support Staff. He is responsible for delivering timely, decision-quality products to the Commander and Deputy Commander.
Brig. Gen. Diehl received his commission as a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999. Following the Academy, Brig. Gen. Diehl earned his wings as the Top Flyer in his Undergraduate Pilot Training class. He then graduated as a Distinguished Graduate from both the B-1 Formal Training Unit and Weapons Instructor Course. Brig. Gen. Diehl has flown combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to assuming his current position, Brig. Gen. Diehl was the 509th Bomb Wing Commander, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 Master of Business Administration, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Master of Science, Operations Analysis, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2013 Master of Philosophy, Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, Joint Forces Staff College, Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
2014 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Air Force Fellow, RAND Project Air Force, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1999–October 2000, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
2. November 2000–June 2001, Student, B-1B Initial Qual Course, Dyess AFB, Texas
3. July 2001–October 2006, B-1B Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training, Assistant Flight Commander, Standardization and Evaluation Liaison Officer, Unit Deployment Manager, 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
4. November 2006–December 2006, B-1B Instructor Pilot, 28th Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
5. January 2007–June 2007, Student, B-1B Division USAF Weapons School, Dyess AFB, Texas
6. July 2007–June 2008, B-1B Instructor Pilot, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 28th Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
7. July 2008–April 2011, B-1B Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, Flight Commander, 77th Weapons Squadron, USAF Weapons School, Dyess AFB, Texas
8. May 2011–June 2012, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. July 2012–June 2013, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
10. July 2013–June 2014, Policy Analysis Officer, J-5, U.S. Southern Command Headquarters, Doral, Fla.
11. July 2014–January 2015, Chief, Policy Branch, J-5, U.S. Southern Command Headquarters, Doral, Fla.
12. February 2015–June 2015, Chief, Policy Division, J-5, U.S. Southern Command Headquarters, Doral, Fla.
13. July 2015–February 2016, Deputy Commander, 28th Operations Group, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
14. March 2016–February 2018, Commander, 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
15. March 2018–June 2018, Deputy Commander, 28th Operations Group, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
16. July 2018–June 2019, Air Force Fellow, RAND Project Air Force, Santa Monica, Calif.
17. July 2019–June 2021, Commander, 7th Operations Group, Dyess AFB, Texas
18. June 2021–June 2023, Commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Mo.
19. June 2023–present, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2013–June 2015, Policy Analysis Officer, Chief, Policy Branch, Chief, Policy Division, J-5, U.S. Southern Command Headquarters, Doral, Fla., as a lieutenant colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot and basic parachutist
Flight hours: more than 2,500 (including more than 600 combat)
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A, B-1 and B-2
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Joint Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1999 Distinguished Graduate – United States Air Force Academy 2000 Top Flyer Award – Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
2001 Distinguished Graduate, Academic Excellence Award – B-1B Initial Qualification Course
2007 Outstanding Graduate, Academic Award, Flying Award – B-1B Division USAF Weapons School 2012 Mervin E. Gross Award – Air Force Institute of Technology
(Current as of March 2026)