Gen. David W. Allvin received his fourth star and took over as the service’s new vice chief of staff on Nov. 12.
Allvin, who previously served as the director for strategy, plans, and policy for the Joint Staff, takes over as the Air Force’s No. 2 as Gen. Steven W. “Seve” Wilson retires on Nov. 13. Wilson, who served in the role since July 2016, is the Air Force’s longest serving vice chief.
Allvin started his career as a C-141 pilot before becoming a test pilot evaluating the C-17 and C-130J. He previously served on the Air Staff as the director of strategy, concepts, and assessment, and has been the director of Air Force Strategic Planning, the director of strategy and policy for U.S. European Command, and commander of the 618th Air and Space Operations Center.
During the ceremony at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Allvin said the “stakes I don’t think have been higher. The future security environment is evolving in a way that plays right into the wheelhouse of the Air Force.”
“I can’t guarantee you what all I’ll be able to accomplish on this team,” he said. “But I have gas in the tank, I have got the energy to do this, and I’ve got the will to do it, and I’m excited to do it.”
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who hosted the ceremony, said he expects Allvin will serve as the brains behind the Air Staff, with himself doing the operations. “He’s going to be behind the scenes making things happen,” Brown said.