Trump nominates Gen. Lamontagne for Air Force vice chief
President Donald Trump has nominated Gen. John Lamontagne to serve as the next vice chief of staff of the Air Force, according to a notice posted to Congress.gov.
Lamontagne is currently the commander of Air Mobility Command — the service’s component to U.S. Transportation Command responsible for airlift, aerial refueling and other airborne logistics operations. Prior to taking the helm of AMC in 2024, Lamontagne served as the deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and as chief of staff for U.S. European Command.
The Air Force has been without a Senate-confirmed vice chief since February, when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fired Gen. James Slife from the position at the same time as other top Pentagon leadership. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, former commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, was initially picked to serve as the service’s No. 2 officer until he announced his retirement in October.
If confirmed, Lamontagne will work under Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, who was nominated and confirmed for the position following the surprise retirement of Gen. David Allvin in August.
Air Force officials and lawmakers have emphasized that the service is currently at an inflection point — with demands to sustain its current fleet constantly competing with needs to rapidly modernize its aircraft and weapon systems.
As vice chief, Lamontagne would play a key role in leading the Air Force through its ongoing transformation, which includes major programs like the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet and structural reform called for by Hegseth.
