Brig. Gen. Mary F. O’Brien has been selected to the grade of major general and for assignment as commander of 25th Air Force, Air Combat Command, at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, according to a Pentagon release. O’Brien currently serves as director of intelligence for Headquarters US Cyber Command at Fort George G. Meade, Md. She will replace Maj. Gen. B.J. Shwedo, who has led the numbered Air Force since August 2015. The Air Force redesignated the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency as the 25th Air Force in 2014 to oversee ISR matters.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.