Gen. Thomas Bussiere, the head of the Air Force Global Strike Command, has announced he will retire from the United States Air Force, marking the end of a storied 39-year career that spanned from the Cold War’s final days to the modern era of strategic deterrence. The news, delivered in a heartfelt Facebook post on September 30, 2025, comes after months of speculation about Bussiere’s future and a series of high-profile leadership changes within the Air Force’s upper ranks, according to Breaking Defense and Air & Space Forces Magazine.
“After much reflection, and with a heavy heart … I have made the difficult decision to request retirement from the United States Air Force for personal and family reasons,” Bussiere wrote in his social media announcement. He added, “Serving alongside the exceptional men and women of our Air Force has been the privilege of a lifetime. I’m especially proud of the Warrior Airmen of Air Force Global Strike Command and everything we’ve accomplished together.”
Bussiere’s impending departure comes at a pivotal moment for the Air Force. A change of command ceremony for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is scheduled for October 17, 2025, at which point Bussiere is expected to step down. His successor, Lt. Gen. Stephen Davis, has already been confirmed by the Senate, ensuring a smooth transition at the helm of the command responsible for the nation’s nuclear deterrent and strategic bomber fleet.
The announcement also signals a dramatic reversal of fortune for Bussiere, who just months earlier appeared destined for even higher office. In July, he was nominated to serve as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force following the ouster of Gen. James Slife, who was dismissed amid a broader purge of senior officers. The Vice Chief role, one of the Air Force’s top positions, became vacant in February 2025, and Bussiere was widely seen as a leading candidate for further advancement, even as speculation swirled that he could be tapped as Chief of Staff after Gen. David Allvin’s surprise retirement announcement.
However, Bussiere’s nomination was abruptly withdrawn in September by the Trump administration, as reported by Aviation Week and confirmed by Air & Space Forces Magazine. The withdrawal followed a period of uncertainty, with some observers speculating that it might have been a prelude to nominating Bussiere as Chief of Staff. Instead, President Donald Trump nominated retired Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach for the Chief of Staff role on September 29, 2025. The Senate formally received Wilsbach’s nomination on October 1, effectively closing the door on Bussiere’s prospects for the Air Force’s top job.
“I am deeply honored to have been nominated for Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and profoundly grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the President,” Bussiere stated in his Facebook post. “While I’m stepping away from active duty, my commitment to service remains. I look forward to finding new ways to support our Air Force, our national defense, and the incredible people who make it all possible.”
Throughout his career, Bussiere has been a staunch advocate for modernization within the Air Force, particularly regarding its aging bomber fleet. After assuming command of AFGSC in December 2022, he oversaw the stewardship of America’s nuclear deterrent and strategic assets, including iconic aircraft like the B-2 Spirit. Bussiere is a command pilot with thousands of hours logged on the F-15 Eagle, B-2 Spirit, and F-22 Raptor—credentials that speak to his deep operational experience and commitment to readiness.
One of Bussiere’s notable achievements was his support for the B-21 Raider program, a next-generation stealth bomber intended to ensure the United States maintains its edge in strategic airpower for decades to come. However, not all programs under his watch have progressed smoothly. Bussiere was candid about the challenges facing the LGM-35A Sentinel missile, revealing that the new intercontinental ballistic missile system will require the construction of new missile silos—a significant logistical and financial undertaking.
Bussiere’s path to the upper echelons of the Air Force began in 1985, when he joined via the ROTC program at Norwich University. Over the ensuing decades, he held a variety of key leadership roles, including commander of the Eighth Air Force, and earned a reputation as a thoughtful, mission-focused leader. His 39 years in uniform included extensive time flying some of the Air Force’s most advanced aircraft, and he became known for his ability to balance strategic vision with operational expertise.
The recent leadership shuffle at the top of the Air Force has been marked by both continuity and change. Gen. David Allvin, the current Chief of Staff, will retire after just two years in the post or as soon as his successor is confirmed by the Senate. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink assured the public last week that the Air Force will “not not have a Chief,” indicating that Allvin will remain in place until the transition is complete.
The Vice Chief role, meanwhile, remains unsettled. Since Slife’s removal, Air Force Director of Staff Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus—a 30-year veteran fighter pilot with experience flying F-16s and F-35s—has been performing the duties of Vice Chief. Pleus is considered a strong candidate for the permanent position, though other possibilities remain, including the potential return of retired generals to fill senior roles, as has occurred with Wilsbach’s nomination for Chief of Staff.
The broader context for these changes is a shift in direction under the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who have made no secret of their desire to reduce the number of top brass and reverse certain policies from the previous administration. According to Pentagon officials cited by Air & Space Forces Magazine, the firing of Gen. Slife was linked to his association with the prior administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies—an area the current leadership has targeted for reform.
As the Air Force prepares for a new era of leadership, Bussiere’s departure is being met with both gratitude and a sense of loss among those who served with him. “I’m especially proud of the Warrior Airmen of Air Force Global Strike Command and everything we’ve accomplished together,” Bussiere wrote, underscoring the strong bonds forged during his tenure.
While the exact timing of Bussiere’s exit has not been disclosed, the scheduled change of command on October 17 provides a clear marker for the end of his active-duty service. His successor, Lt. Gen. Stephen Davis, will inherit both the challenges and opportunities facing the command as it continues to modernize America’s nuclear deterrent in a rapidly changing global security environment.
As Bussiere steps away from active duty, he leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the mission. His own words best capture the spirit with which he approaches the next chapter: “While I’m stepping away from active duty, my commitment to service remains. I look forward to finding new ways to support our Air Force, our national defense, and the incredible people who make it all possible.”
