Jump to content

Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.
Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy
Born1964 or 1965 (age 59–60)[1]
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1986–2020
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Northern Command
North American Aerospace Defense Command
Pacific Air Forces
Seventh Air Force
57th Wing
613th Air and Space Operations Center
35th Fighter Wing
57th Adversary Tactics Group
510th Fighter Squadron
Battles / warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (4)

Terrence John O'Shaughnessy (born c. 1964) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who previously served as the commander of United States Northern Command and as the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command.[2][3]

Military career

O'Shaughnessy was born in North Bay, Ontario, Canada,[4][5] the son of Terrence O'Shaughnessy, an orthodontist who was originally from Cobalt, Ontario. The family relocated to Framingham, Massachusetts in 1968.[6] He is a 1986 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, including the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Force Base, Japan, the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. O'Shaughnessy has served as the United States Pacific Command Director of Operations responsible for joint operations in a region encompassing more than half the globe and 36 nations. O'Shaughnessy's joint experience also extends to his time as the Joint Staff J5 Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia where he shaped regional planning and policy in the Asia-Pacific and Central Asia regions, supporting the commanders of United States Pacific Command and United States Central Command. Prior to his current assignment, O'Shaughnessy was the Deputy Commander, United Nations Command in Korea; Deputy Commander, United States Forces Korea; Commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command; and Commander, Seventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Osan Air Base, South Korea, as well as the commander of Pacific Air Forces.[2]

O'Shaughnessy is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including 168 combat hours.[2]

In August 2019, O'Shaughnessy stirred up the military space community when he said at a defense conference that "Elon Musk’s SpaceX may have just 'completely changed our ability' to sense threats against America using satellite clusters in space" by the new technology demonstrated by SpaceX May launch of the initial group of Starlink megaconstellation.[7] Terrence O’Shaughnessy reportedly has had a high-level role at SpaceX's Starshield defense satellite constellation.[8]

According to General Guillot, O'Shaughnessy proposed the SHIELD missile defense system, which stands for Strategic Homeland Integrated Ecosystem for Layered Defense.[9]

Post-military career

Since 2021, O'Shaughnessy is employed by SpaceX[10] where he leads government programs.


Education

  • 1986 Distinguished graduate, Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.[2]
  • 1992 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.[2]
  • 1993 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.[2]
  • 1996 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.[2]
  • 1998 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.[2]
  • 2003 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.[2]
  • 2003 Information Studies Concentration Program, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.[2]
  • 2005 NATO Senior Officer Policy Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany[2]
  • 2007 Department of Defense Senior Managers Course in National Security, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.[2]
  • 2007 Air Force Enterprise Leadership Course, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill[2]
  • 2009 Combined Air and Space Operations Senior Staff Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.[2]
  • 2011 Joint Force Air Component Commander Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.[2]
  • 2012 Joint Flag Officer Warfighter Course[2]
  • 2013 Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Course, Newport, Rhode Island.[2]
  • 2015 National Defense University PINNACLE Course, Suffolk, Va.[2]

Assignments

O'Shaughnessy (left) speaks at the Department of Homeland Security in October 2018

1. June 1986 – September 1987, student, undergraduate pilot training, Sheppard AFB, Texas[2]
2. September 1987 – August 1988, student, T-38 lead-in fighter training and F-16 training, Holloman AFB, N.M., and Luke AFB, Ariz.[2]
3. August 1988 – December 1991, F-16 aircraft commander and instructor pilot, Shaw AFB, S.C.[2]
4. January 1992 – June 1992, student, F-16 Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.[2]
5. July 1992 – July 1993, weapons officer and flight commander, 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea[2]
6. July 1993 – July 1997, assistant operations officer and air-to-ground flight commander, F-16 Division, U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.[2]
7. July 1997 – June 1998, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.[2]
8. June 1998 – June 1999, Chief, Air Superiority Weapons Branch, Global Power Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.[2]
9. June 1999 – June 2000, Chief, Fighter Programs, Office of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.[2]
10. June 2000 – April 2001, operations officer, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy[2]
11. April 2001 – July 2002, Commander, 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy[2]
12. August 2002 – June 2003, student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.[2]
13. June 2003 – August 2004, Chief, Joint Plans and Operations, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium[2]
14. August 2004 – July 2005, senior special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium[2]
15. July 2005 – December 2006, Commander, 57th Adversary Tactics Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.[2]
16. January 2007 – August 2008, Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan[2]
17. September 2008 – August 2009, Commander, 613th Air and Space Operations Center, Hickam AFB, Hawaii[2]
18. August 2009 – July 2010, Vice Commander, 13th Air Force, Hickam AFB, Hawaii[2]
19. July 2010 – April 2012, Commander, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.[2]
20. April 2012 – August 2013, Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.[2]
21. August 2013 – October 2014 – Director for Operations, Headquarters, United States Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii[2]
22. December 2014 – July 2016, Deputy Commander, United Nations Command Korea; Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces Korea; Commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command; and Commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Osan AB, South Korea[2]
23. July 2016 – May 2018, Commander, Pacific Air Forces; Air Component Commander for U.S. Pacific Command; and Executive Director, Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii[2][3]
24. May 2018 – August 2020, Commander, USNORTHCOM; Commander, NORAD[3]

Flight information

  • Rating: Command Pilot[2]
  • Flight hours: more than 3,000[2]
  • Aircraft flown: F-16, AT/T-38 and T-37[2]

Awards and decorations

US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Philippine Air Force Gold Wings Badge[11]
Weapons School Graduate Patch
North American Aerospace Defense Command Badge
United States Northern Command Badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges. Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
 Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze star
 Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star
Air Force Training Ribbon
Order of National Security Merit, Gukseon Medal (Republic of Korea)
Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon (Japan)[12]
Meritorious Service Cross, Military Division (Canada)[13]
NATO Medal for service with ISAF

Effective dates of promotion

Insignia Rank Date
General July 12, 2016
Lieutenant general Dec. 19, 2014
Major general Aug. 2, 2013
Brigadier general Nov. 2, 2009
Colonel Aug. 1, 2004
Lieutenant colonel May 1, 2000
Major Sep. 1, 1997
Captain May 28, 1990
First lieutenant May 28, 1988
Second lieutenant May 28, 1986

[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "New Misawa wing commander seeks to maintain mission of predecessor". Archived from the original on 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from GENERAL TERRENCE J. O'SHAUGHNESSY Biography. United States Air Force.
  3. ^ a b c Gordinier, John (May 24, 2018). "Gen. O'Shaughnessy assumes command of NORAD, USNORTHCOM". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "Archived". Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved 2023-04-26 – via PressReader.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Twitter Cafinus Status". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  6. ^ "Dr. Terrence O'Shaughnessy". Archived from the original on 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  7. ^ Top general says SpaceX may have just changed space defense Archived 2019-08-22 at the Wayback Machine, AL.com/Huntsville, 6 August 2019, accessed 22 August 2019.
  8. ^ FitzGerald, Micah Maidenberg and Drew. "WSJ News Exclusive | Musk's SpaceX Forges Tighter Links With U.S. Spy and Military Agencies". WSJ. Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  9. ^ "The Space Layer: Hypersonic and Ballistic Missile Tracking Space Satellites". Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "Elon Musk's SpaceX, Once a Washington Outsider, Courts Military Business". Wall Street Journal. 4 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Strength of U.S.-Philippine alliance showcased during COMPACAF visit : Hookele – Pearl Harbor – Hickam News". www.hookelenews.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-24.
  12. ^ @JapanEmbDC (2 December 2019). "For his contributions to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, including during his time as @PACAF Commander, Gen…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ "Gen. VanHerck takes command of NORAD, USNORTHCOM". Archived from the original on 2020-10-18. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the 57th Wing
2010–2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia of the Joint Staff
2012–2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Director for Operations of the United States Pacific Command
2013–2014 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command and Commander of the Seventh Air Force
2014–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Pacific Air Forces
2016–2018 		Succeeded by
Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command
2018–2020 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Terrence_J._O%27Shaughnessy&oldid=1256431205"