C. Robert Kehler
Claude Robert "Bob" Kehler (born April 7, 1952 in Danville , Pennsylvania ) is a former general in the United States Air Force (USAF). Kehler was from 28 January 2011 to 15 November 2013 Commander of the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), a part contending powerful cross-functional command of the armed forces of the United States based on the Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska . Prior to that, between October 2007 and January 2011, he commanded one of the USAF's main commands as Commander of the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) .
Education and career
Kehler grew up in Pennsylvania, where he attended Shamokin Area High School in Coal Township and then graduated from Pennsylvania State University , which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in education in 1974 . During his time at university he went through a training program of the Reserve Officer Training Corps and joined the Air Force in April 1975, where he was a member of a Missile Combat Crew responsible for various types of ICBMs and in this area until the early 1980s worked as a trainer in addition to other tasks .
Kehler's further education includes Masters degrees in Public Administration ( University of Oklahoma , 1987) and National Security and Strategic Studies ( Naval War College , 1995).
Service in the rank of general
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In July 2000, Kehler was promoted to brigadier general and from August of that year he commanded the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base , Colorado , before joining the staff of the Deputy Secretary of the Air Force as Director, National Security Space Integration in May 2002 was transferred to Washington, DC , where he served until May 2005, with the rank of major general from August 2003 .
This was followed by an employment at USSTRATCOM, where he served as a deputy to the then Commander-in-Chief General James Cartwright while being promoted to Lieutenant General from May 2005 . When he took up the post of Deputy Chairman of the United Joint Chiefs of Staff in August 2007 , Kehler led USSTRATCOM on a temporary basis for around two months, but then passed the command to Kevin Chilton , who had previously commanded the AFSPC. Kehler himself had already been nominated in July to succeed Chilton as AFSPC commander and finally took over this post with promotion to general in October.
On June 28, 2011, Kehler took command of USSTRATCOM, where he in turn succeeded Kevin Chilton, who in turn retired. Shortly before, Kehler had given command of the AFSPC to William Shelton .
On January 1, 2014, Kehler retired from active service, his successor at USSTRATCOM was Admiral Cecil D. Haney .
Promotions
rank | date |
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April 10, 1975 |
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April 10, 1977 |
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April 10, 1979 |
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May 1, 1985 |
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June 1, 1989 |
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February 1, 1994 |
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July 1, 2000 |
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August 10, 2003 |
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June 1, 2005 |
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October 12, 2007 |
Awards
Selection of decorations, sorted based on the Order of Precedence of Military Awards :
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaves
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Legion of Merit with double oak leaves
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal
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Meritorious Service Medal with triple oak leaves
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Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaves
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaves
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with double oak leaves
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Organizational Excellence Award with double oak leaves
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Combat Readiness Medal
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National Defense Service Medal with a bronze star
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
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Officer of the French Legion of Honor
See also
- Ranks of the United States Armed Forces
- List of active generals and admirals in the United States Armed Forces
Web links
- USSTRATCOM website (English)
- Web presence of AFSPC (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e biography of Kehler at the USAF (English; last accessed on April 8, 2014).
- ↑ Press release of the US Department of Defense of July 24, 2007 (last accessed April 8, 2014).
personal data | |
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SURNAME | Kehler, C. Robert |
ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Kehler, Claude Robert (full name); Kehler, Bob |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American General (US Air Force) |
DATE OF BIRTH | April 7, 1952 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Danville , Pennsylvania |