Evan Pettus
Evan Pettus | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Born | c. 1972 (age 53–54) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1994–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Twelfth Air Force 378th Air Expeditionary Wing Air Command and Staff College 48th Fighter Wing 48th Fighter Wing 389th Fighter Squadron |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) |
| Alma mater | United States Air Force Academy (BS) Air Force Institute of Technology (MS) Air War College (MSS) |
Evan Lamar Pettus[1] (born c. 1972) is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who has served as the military deputy commander of the United States Southern Command since 7 November 2024. He previously served as the commander of the Twelfth Air Force[2] and as the vice commander of the United States Air Force Warfare Center.[3]
Biography
Pettus earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and graduated from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB and from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.[3]
He was first stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom as an F-15E pilot.[3] His service record includes combat missions in operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.[3]
In July 2024, Pettus was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as deputy commander of the United States Southern Command.[4][5]
On 12 December 2025, Pettus became the acting commander of U.S. Southern Command when Admiral Alvin Holsey relinquished command early.[6] He was the acting commander until 5 February 2026, when General Francis L. Donovan was confirmed.[7]
Dates of promotion
| Rank | Branch | Date[3] |
|---|---|---|
| Second lieutenant | Air Force | 1 June 1994 |
| First lieutenant | 1 June 1996 | |
| Captain | 1 June 1998 | |
| Major | 1 July 2004 | |
| Lieutenant colonel | 1 June 2008 | |
| Colonel | 1 October 2013 | |
| Brigadier general | 31 July 2019 | |
| Major general | 3 July 2022 | |
| Lieutenant general | 4 November 2024 |
References
- ^ a b "Redefining Tradition" (PDF). Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "South American Air Chiefs Converge to Forge a Path Together". 12 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Lieutenant General EVAN L. PETTUS". United States Air Force. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "PN1989 - 1 nominee for Air Force, 118th Congress (2023-2024) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". 31 July 2024.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024.
- ^ Watson, Eleanor (12 December 2025). "Commande roverseeing U.S. forces in Caribbean relinquishes command early amid U.S. buildup of near Venezuela". CBS News. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ McLoud, Steven (5 February 2026). "U.S. Marine General Donovan Assumes Command of SOUTHCOM". U.S. Southern Command. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
External links
- Media related to Evan L. Pettus at Wikimedia Commons
- Appearances on C-SPAN