Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

A Conversation with Four-Star General Jacqueline Van Ovost

RSVP Required Open to the Public

Please join the Defense Project and the Women of Defense, Diplomacy, and Development (W3D) in a cohosted discussion with General Jacqueline Van Ovost, Commander, US Transportation Command.  General Van Ovost will begin her discussion by sharing her journey, focusing specifically on how she has maintained her values over the course of her career.  She will then transition to a moderated discussion on US Transportation Command's role in national security, defense, and strategic competition, and the implications of national policy on the Command’s ability to support our national objectives. This session will be moderated by HKS MPP Candidate, Bethan Saunders. 

Date: Time: - Location: Taubman Building - Allison Dining Room, 5th Floor
General Jacqueline Van Ovost takes command of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) on Oct 15, 2021. General Van Ovost is the first female commander of USTRANSCOM.

Biography

Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost is the 14th Commander of U.S. Transportation Command, one of 11 combatant commands in the Department of Defense. USTRANSCOM’s mission is to project and sustain military power globally in order to assure our friends and allies, deter potential adversaries, and if necessary, respond to win decisively.

Gen. Van Ovost has a diverse operational and training background which includes command of an air refueling squadron, a flying training wing and the Presidential Airlift Wing. She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours in more than 30 aircraft, including the C-32A, C-17A, C-141B, KC-135R and KC-46A.

She has held several staff and joint assignments, serving as the Director of Staff for Headquarters Air Force, the Vice Director of the Joint Staff, the Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe, NATO, Russia), Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5), Joint Staff, the Director of Mobility Forces for U.S. Central Command, the Vice Commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, and the Joint Operations Division Chief, Operations and Plans Directorate (J3), USTRANSCOM.

Gen. Van Ovost graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1988 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. She also holds master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, and Military Arts and Sciences, and Strategic Studies from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Her decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster.

Prior to her current position, Gen. Van Ovost served as the Commander, Air Mobility Command.