He initially served as an air surveillance officer following his 1994 commission from the Air Force Academy. The 7th Air Force currently relies on rotational deployments for U.S. fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. Misawa Air Base, Japan, received its first four permanent F-35s in March and continues to rely upon the F-16 for its mission set. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Shoemaker, incoming 7th Air Force commander, delivers remarks during the 7th Air Force change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 7, 2026. The Air Force said lessons from the test “are informing readiness enhancements across PACAF and USAF F-16 enterprise.”