Anthony J. Cotton

Anthony James Cotton is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 12th commander of the United States Strategic Command from 9 December 2022 to 5 December 2025. He previously served as the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command from 27 August 2021 to 7 December 2022, having served as the deputy commander from 2019 to 2021. Prior to that, he was the president of the Air University.

Cotton speaks during the USSTRATCOM change of command ceremony, Omaha, Neb., Dec. 9, 2022. Cotton is from Dudley, North Carolina, where he graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1981. He is the son of James H. and Amy K. Cotton; his father was a chief master sergeant in the Air Force. Anthony Cotton was commissioned through ROTC at North Carolina State University in 1986, where he also earned a bachelor's degree in political science.

In June 2022, Cotton was nominated for reappointment as general and assignment as commander of the United States Strategic Command. He appeared for a hearing before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on 15 September 2022 and was confirmed by voice vote of the full Senate on 29 September 2022.

Awards and decorations Gen Cotton (right) relieves ADM Charles A. Richard (second from left) as the commander of United States Strategic Command on 9 December 2022.

Effective dates of promotions Cotton is pinned with his four-star rank insignia by his family at his promotion ceremony, August 27, 2021.