Michael T. Rawls
Michael T. Rawls | |
|---|---|
 Rawls as Major General | |
| Nickname | Trey |
| Allegiance |  United States |
Branch |  United States Air Force |
Service years | 1992–2024 |
Rank | Major General (O-8) |
| Commands | Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (2022–2024) Air War College (2020–2022) 435th Air Ground Operations Wing (2017–2019) |
Conflicts | Operation Southern Watch Operation Northern Watch Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal (4OLC) Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC) Air Force Commendation Medal Joint Service Achievement Medal |
| Alma mater | University of Kentucky (B.S., 1992) United States Air Force Test Pilot School (2003) |
Michael T. "Trey" Rawls is a retired United States Air Force major general (O-8). He commanded the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, from July 2022 to August 2024, and previously served as commandant of the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, from July 2020 to July 2022. Between those commands he served as Deputy Commander of NATO Mission Iraq in Baghdad from August 2019 to July 2020.
In January 2023, Rawls became the first general officer in the United States Air Force certified as a fifth-generation aggressor pilot, completing qualification on the F-35A Lightning II with the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He was confirmed by the United States Senate as a major general in December 2023 as part of a batch of 425 military promotions approved after Senator Tommy Tuberville dropped a blanket hold on senior military confirmations.
Rawls received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1992 as a distinguished graduate of the AFROTC program. He graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School in 2003, served as Senior Air Force Liaison to the F-35 Joint Program Office from 2015 to 2017, and accumulated more than 2,100 flight hours across 30 aircraft types, including combat deployments to Iraq. He retired in August 2024 after more than 32 years of active duty.
Early life and education
[edit]Rawls graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1992 as a distinguished graduate of AFROTC Detachment 290.[1] He subsequently earned four master's degrees from George Washington University, Air University, and the United States Army War College.[1]
Rawls attended the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, graduating in 2003.[1] He also completed the Air Force Fellows Program.[1]
Military career
[edit]Flying and test career
[edit]Rawls flew A-10A/C, F-15A–D, F-16 Fighting Falcon, T-38 Talon, C-12, and more than 25 other aircraft types, logging more than 2,100 flight hours over his career.[1] He deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Northern Watch and flew combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.[1]
Following Test Pilot School, Rawls flew as an F-15 and A-10 test pilot with the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, from 2003 to 2005, and served as operations officer of the 586th Flight Test Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, from 2006 to 2008.[1] From July 2009 to July 2011 he commanded a flight test squadron, leading a 200-person combined test force that executed a Secretary of Defense-directed $2.8 billion joint program developing advanced air combat capabilities.[1]
From July 2015 to July 2017, Rawls served as Senior Air Force Liaison to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program office in Arlington, Virginia, where he advised the Program Executive Officer on cross-functional integration across the program's Integrated Product Teams and the delivery of the Block 3F baseline F-35 to United States and partner-nation forces.[1]
Command and staff assignments
[edit]Rawls served as Chief of Air Plans for the United States Delegation to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels from July 2011 to July 2013, where he led United States negotiating teams in six multinational working groups, including the NATO Global Hawk unmanned aerial systems program.[1] From July 2013 to July 2014 he was vice commander of the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, then the Air Force's largest A-10 Thunderbolt II wing, comprising more than 4,600 personnel and 83 aircraft.[1]
After attending the United States Army War College from 2014 to 2015 and completing the F-35 JPO assignment, Rawls assumed command of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in July 2017.[1] The 435th AGOW, the United States Air Forces in Europe and United States Africa Command air control unit, comprised five groups, 23 squadrons, and more than 2,300 personnel across 15 installations. He relinquished that command in August 2019 and served as Deputy Commander of NATO Mission Iraq in Baghdad from August 2019 to July 2020, advising the Iraqi Ministry of Defence on security sector reform and professional military education.[1]
Rawls assumed command of the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in July 2020, relinquishing that command on July 7, 2022, when Brigadier General William Freeman assumed command.[2]
AFOTEC command
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Rawls assumed command of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center on July 19, 2022, in a ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base presided over by Lieutenant General Kevin Schneider, USAF Director of Staff.[3] AFOTEC evaluates 98 or more major acquisition programs worth over one trillion dollars and employs more than 750 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at 17 locations.[4]
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On January 12, 2023, Rawls completed qualification on the F-35A Lightning II with the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, becoming the first general officer in the United States Air Force certified as a fifth-generation aggressor pilot.[5] He described the certification as completing "a full circle" in his flying career.[5]
Rawls relinquished AFOTEC command on August 14, 2024, in a ceremony presided over by General James C. Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Slife cited Rawls as an example of the high-caliber leaders AFOTEC produces, noting his "visionary course" in advancing the fielding of sophisticated weapon systems.[6] Rawls retired after more than 32 years of active duty.[6]
Promotion to Major General
[edit]Rawls was confirmed as a major general by the United States Senate on December 5–6, 2023, as part of a group of 425 military officer promotions.[7][8][9] The promotions had been delayed by a blanket hold placed by Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, which Tuberville dropped after eleven months.[7][10]
Awards and decorations
[edit]Rawls is the recipient of the following awards:[1]
|
Legion of Merit |
|
Bronze Star Medal |
|
Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
|
Air Medal |
  |
Aerial Achievement Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
 |
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters |
|
Air Force Commendation Medal |
|
Joint Service Achievement Medal |
Recognition
[edit]In April 2024, the University of Kentucky's Pigman College of Engineering inducted Rawls into its Hall of Distinction, citing his career as "one of the preeminent strategic experts in operational capabilities for 5th generation warfare."[11]
See also
[edit]- Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
- Air War College
- 435th Air Ground Operations Wing
- 65th Aggressor Squadron
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Major General Michael T. Rawls". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "Freeman takes command of Air War College". Air University Public Affairs. July 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 20, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "AFOTEC welcomes new commander, Brig. Gen. Michael T. Rawls". Kirtland Air Force Base. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "Major General Michael T. Rawls — Biography". Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Gandara, Katherine C. (January 30, 2023). "From spectator to aerial gladiator: AFOTEC Commander first general officer certified as fifth-generation aggressor pilot". Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Gandara, Katherine C. (August 16, 2024). "AFOTEC welcomes new commanding general". Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ a b "Here are the 425 military leaders finally confirmed by the Senate". Military Times. December 6, 2023. Archived from the original on May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "Congressional Record: Senate" (PDF). United States Government Publishing Office. December 5, 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "Executive Calendar, Day of December 4, 2023" (PDF). United States Senate. December 4, 2023. Cal. No. 111. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "Congressional Record: Senate". United States Government Publishing Office. July 26, 2023. p. S3601. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
- ^ "Pigman College of Engineering Inducts 2024 Class into Hall of Distinction". University of Kentucky College of Engineering. April 5, 2024. Archived from the original on March 20, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2026.