Brigadier General James D. Cleet
Deputy Director
U.S. European Command
Brig. Gen. James D. Cleet is the Deputy Director of United States European Command Plans and Operations Directorate, located in Stuttgart, Germany. He is responsible for the development and execution of operations supporting U.S. interests and regional alliances in the European Command area of responsibility. His specific portfolio includes Information Operations, Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications. The Plans and Operations Directorate integrates and synchronizes Joint Operations in conjunction with our Allies, Partner nations, interagency stakeholders and the Department of Defense through operational directives, plans, orders, joint training, and exercises.
General Cleet entered the Air Force in 1991 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas on Sept. 12, 1992 and was appointed Lead Flight Test Engineer on the B-2A Stealth Bomber, Air Force Materiel Command. General Cleet completed initial F-16 training in April 1996. Subsequently, he served as an operational F-16 pilot with assignments in PACAF, USAFE, ACC, AFCENT and the Air National Guard while supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, DESERT FOX, NORTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NOBLE EAGLE. He is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours in the C-130 and F-16 and has flown more than 200 combat sorties, totaling more than 760 combat hours.
General Cleet joined the Minnesota National Guard on August 17, 2004 and has served as a Weapons Officer, Director of Operations, and Squadron Commander at the 148th Fighter Wing, as well as Director of Operations at Joint Force Headquarters. In 2015, General Cleet joined the 133rd Airlift Wing, and served as the Air Operations Officer and Group Commander for the 133rd Operations Group. Prior to his current assignment he was the Vice, then Wing Commander for the 133rd Airlift Wing. Additionally, General Cleet was the C-130 Weapons System Council Chairman and served on the Director of the Air National Guard’s Air Directorate Field Advisory Council.
General Cleet entered the Air Force in 1991 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas on Sept. 12, 1992 and was appointed Lead Flight Test Engineer on the B-2A Stealth Bomber, Air Force Materiel Command. General Cleet completed initial F-16 training in April 1996. Subsequently, he served as an operational F-16 pilot with assignments in PACAF, USAFE, ACC, AFCENT and the Air National Guard while supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, DESERT FOX, NORTHERN WATCH, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NOBLE EAGLE. He is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours in the C-130 and F-16 and has flown more than 200 combat sorties, totaling more than 760 combat hours.
General Cleet joined the Minnesota National Guard on August 17, 2004 and has served as a Weapons Officer, Director of Operations, and Squadron Commander at the 148th Fighter Wing, as well as Director of Operations at Joint Force Headquarters. In 2015, General Cleet joined the 133rd Airlift Wing, and served as the Air Operations Officer and Group Commander for the 133rd Operations Group. Prior to his current assignment he was the Vice, then Wing Commander for the 133rd Airlift Wing. Additionally, General Cleet was the C-130 Weapons System Council Chairman and served on the Director of the Air National Guard’s Air Directorate Field Advisory Council.