The U.S. military bid farewell to one of its pioneering leaders Friday as Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, the first woman to command the vast logistical operations of the U.S. military, officially retired. She passed command of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) to Gen. Randall Reed during a ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, attended by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Van Ovost was promoted to four-star general in August 2020 and became the senior officer among the four women holding the four-star rank across all branches of the U.S. military. As the head of TRANSCOM, she oversaw the global movement of U.S. troops, weapons, and supplies, coordinating hundreds of military and civilian-owned aircraft, ships, trains, and trucks on a daily basis.
“Just a few days ago, we celebrated the 37th birthday of TRANSCOM— a command that was born out of necessity and built to deploy U.S. forces. Over time, our mandate has expanded to project, maneuver, and sustain the joint force at a time and place of our nation’s choosing,” Van Ovost remarked during the change of command ceremony. “If we were a necessity, we are indispensable now.”
Secretary Austin praised Van Ovost as a trailblazer for women in the armed forces, stating, “You’ve always had a message for women in uniform: ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.’” He highlighted her resilience in overcoming obstacles throughout her career.
According to CBS News, only 10 women have ever achieved the four-star rank in the U.S. military, including the Coast Guard. Van Ovost was the fifth woman in the Air Force to reach this prestigious position. When she began her military career, opportunities for women were limited, and they were not allowed to fly fighter jets—her lifelong ambition. Undeterred, she became a test pilot, flying over 30 different aircraft, including F-15s and F-16s.
With more than 4,200 flight hours, Van Ovost’s career reflects her dedication and tenacity. Her determination to join the military was sparked when her application to the U.S. Air Force Academy was initially denied. In response, she enrolled in community college to improve her grades and trained at home, ultimately graduating from the academy in 1988 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
When she was promoted to general in 2020, she was the only woman in the military holding that rank. Since then, three additional women have achieved the same honor: Army Gen. Laura Richardson, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, and Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to sit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Van Ovost took command of TRANSCOM in October 2021, following her leadership of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC). Under her guidance, AMC played a pivotal role in the military’s largest non-combatant evacuation in history during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. She also led TRANSCOM in delivering $21 billion in aid and weaponry to Ukraine and Israel.
Throughout her career, Van Ovost commanded an air refueling squadron, a flight training wing, and the 89th Airlift Wing, responsible for the Air Force’s VIP jets and Air Force One. She served as vice commander for mobility forces in the Middle East and vice commander of the Air Force Expeditionary Center.
According to TRANSCOM spokesperson Capt. John Fage, Van Ovost’s leadership was characterized by humility, as she did not boast about her groundbreaking positions. Instead, she inspired younger women in the military by emphasizing, “You can’t be what you can’t see.”
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