Brig. Gen. William P. West is the Deputy Director for Operations, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany. In this position, he supports the Director for Operations by providing oversight and direction to the Current, Future, Information, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Divisions.
General West graduated from Texas Tech University in 1989, earning his commission through ROTC. He has served as an instructor and evaluator navigator in both the C-141B and AC-130U. He most recently commanded the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. General West has participated in operations Uphold Democracy, Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He has commanded at the squadron, expeditionary group, group, expeditionary wing and wing levels.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Arts, Texas Tech University, Lubbock
1995 Squadron Officer’s School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Masters of Science in Aviation Management, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2002 Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2003 School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama2010 National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jan. 1990–April 1991, Undergraduate Navigator Training, Mather AFB, Calif.
2. April 1991–June 1991, C-141 Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
3. June 1991–December 1993, C-141B Navigator, 18th Military Airlift Squadron, McGuire AFB, N.J.
4. December 1993–February 1997, C-141B Navigator, 6th Airlift Squadron, McGuire AFB, N.J.
5. February 1997–June 2000, AC-130U Navigator, 4th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. June 2000–June 2001, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 16th Operation Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
7. July 2001–June 2002, Student, Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
8. July 2002–July 2003, Student, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. July 2003–June 2005, HQ USAF, Air and Space Operation Directorate, CHECKMATE Division, Washington, D.C.
10. June 2005–March 2007, Operations Officer, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
11. March 2007–July 2008, Commander, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
12. July 2008–July 2009, Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
13. July 2009–July 2010, Student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
14. July 2010–August 2011, Chief Strategy Division, 609th Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Southwest Asia
15. August 2011–July 2013, Commander, 27th Special Operations Group, Cannon AFB, N.M.
16. December 2012–April 2013, Commander, 1st Expeditionary Special Operations Wing, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
17. July 2013–January 2015, Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
18. January 2015–February 2016, Deputy Commanding General, Combined Joint task Force Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
19. February 2016–present, Deputy J3, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2006–February 2007, Director Operation (J3), Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Balad, Iraq, as a lieutenant colonel
2. February 2008–July 2008, Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Balad, Iraq, as a lieutenant colonel
3. July 2010–August 2011, Chief Strategy Division, 609th Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Southwest Asia, as a colonel
4. December 2012–April 2013, Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Bagram, Afghanistan, as a colonel
5. January 2015–February 2016, Deputy Commanding General, Combined Joint task Force Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as a brigadier general
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: master navigator
Flight Hours: 2,500
Aircraft Flown: C-141B, AC-130U, AC-130W, U-28
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 1989
First Lieutenant Sept. 1991
Captain Sept. 1993
Major Jan. 2001
Lieutenant Colonel May 2005
Colonel Sept. 2009
Brigadier General June 2015
(Current as of September 2022)