Lt. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica is the Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, and the Combined Forces Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia. In these roles, the general is responsible for developing contingency plans and conducting air operations in a 21-nation area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.
Lt. Gen. Lasica received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994. He has served at the squadron, group, wing, numbers Air Force, Joint Staff, and Combatant Command levels. He has flown combat missions in support of Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom and has also supported South Korea defense obligations. Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Lasica was the Director of Operations (J3), Headquarters United States European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelors of Science, Civil Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Master of Aviation/Aerospace Operations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2008 Master of National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval Command and Staff College, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2009 Master of Military Art and Science, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2013 Master of National Security and Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
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December 1994-May 1996, Student Pilot, 37th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
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May 1996-December 1998, T-37 Instructor Pilot, 85th FTS, Laughlin AFB, Texas
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May 1999-December 1999, Student Pilot, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
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December 1999-July 2002, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 523rd FS, Cannon AFB, N.M.
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July 2002-September 2005, F-16 Instructor Pilot, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, 308th FS and 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz.
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September 2005-July 2007, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 36th FS, 7th Air Force Weapons and Tactics Chief, 7th Air Force Commander’s Action Group, Chief of Special Technical Operations and Advanced Programs Manager, Osan Air Base, South Korea
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August 2007-June 2008, Student, Naval Command and Staff College, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
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July 2008-August 2009, Student, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
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August 2009-May 2010, 56th Fighter Wing Chief of Safety, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Luke AFB, Ariz.
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May 2010-July 2012, Commander, 309th FS, Luke AFB, Ariz.
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July 2012-June 2013, Student, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley, J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
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August 2013-August 2014, Commander, 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, Shindand AB, Afghanistan
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September 2014-August 2016, Operations Division Chief and Chief of Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
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August 2016-June 2018, Commander, 20th FW, Shaw AFB, S.C.
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June 2018-June 2020, Commander, 31st FW, Aviano AB, Italy
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June 2020-July 2021, Commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
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July 2021-July 2022, Director of Current Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters of U.S. European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany
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July 2022-July 2024, Director of Plans, Policy, Strategy and Capabilities, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany
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July 2024-August 2026, Director of Operations, Headquarters of U.S. European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany
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August 2026-present, Commander, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central), Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
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September 2014-August 2016, Operations Division Chief and Chief of Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., as a colonel and brigadier general
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2020-July 2021, Commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, as a brigadier general
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July 2022-July 2024, Director of Plans, Policy, Strategy and Capabilities, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight Hours: more than 4,000, including more than 220 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, F-16 and C-208
MAJOR AWARDS
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal
(Current as of August 2026)