James C. Slife

James C. Slife (born 1967) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as the vice chief of staff of the United States Air Force from 19 December 2023 to 21 February 2025. He previously served as the deputy chief of staff for operations of the United States Air Force from December 2022 to December 2023.

He served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from June 2019 to December 2022, having previously served as the vice commander from July 2018 to June 2019 and chief of staff of United States Special Operations Command from June 2017 to June 2018. Slife was commissioned through the ROTC program at Auburn University in 1989.

In September 2023, Slife was nominated for promotion to general and appointment as vice chief of staff of the Air Force.

On 21 February 2025, Slife was relieved from his position as vice chief of staff of the Air Force. As of May 2025, a replacement has not been announced.

Awards and decorations

Effective dates of promotion