John P. Jumper

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Template:Short description Template:Other people 2 Template:Infobox military person John Phillip Jumper<ref name="Senate bio">Template:Cite book</ref> (born February 4, 1945) is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) general, who served as 17th chief of staff of the United States Air Force from September 6, 2001 to September 2, 2005. He retired from the USAF on November 1, 2005. Jumper was succeeded as chief of staff by General T. Michael Moseley.

He is the son of major-general Jimmy J. Jumper, USAF. During his career he served as a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours. He later served as the CEO of Leidos from 2012 to 2014.

Early life

Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. Jumper flies an F-22 Raptor.
Jumper speaking as a CEO of Leidos, September 2013


John Jumper was born on February 4, 1945 in Paris, Texas. Jumper has stated that his father general Jimmy Jefferson Jumper enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II "probably for a way to get out of Paris, Texas", became a pilot, and retired as a two star general.

While his father served in the occupation of Japan after World War II, John and his mother once traveled aboard a liberty ship to join his father there.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> John Jumper's grandfather, Delbert Lee Jumper was a cotton farmer from Paris, Texas and served in the U.S. Navy during World War I.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Delbert's brother Samuel Augusta Jumper was also a veteran having served in the U.S. Army.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Samuel Jumper was the grandfather of Stephen Franklin Jumper, a U.S. Army soldier who was a purple heart recipient killed in action and whose name is on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

John went on to earn his commission as a distinguished graduate of Virginia Military Institute's Air Force ROTC program in 1966. He has commanded a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, a Numbered Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Allied Air Forces Central Europe.


Education

Career

By October 1967 he was serving in combat operations in Vietnam. He was assigned to the 459th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Phu Cat Air Base and was part of the unit based in Da Nang. In January 1968 during the Tet Offensive he flew missions into Khe Sanh six days a week. He flew in supplies of whole blood and would fly off before being spotted by the North Vietnamese Army. He also transported supplies to special forces units sometimes up to "six or seven hours" a day in twenty minutes stints. He later served in England from 1970 to 1974.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Prior to becoming Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the general served as commander of Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base. Jumper has also served at the Pentagon as deputy chief of staff for air and space operations, as the senior military assistant to two secretaries of defense, and as special assistant to the chief of staff for roles and missions. A command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, principally in fighter aircraft, Jumper served two tours in Southeast Asia, accumulating more than 1,400 combat hours. Jumper later retired from the Air Force on November 1, 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. Jumper and Secretary of the Air Force James Roche during a briefing at The Pentagon.

During the 9/11 terrorist attacks he was stationed at the Pentagon having sworn in as Air Force Chief of Staff just five days earlier. By 9:33 am air traffic control warned that a third high jacked airplane was flying off course. Jumper stated in an interview “We knew instantly we were the likely target.” By 9:37 am the plane struck the opposite side of the building and Jumper stated “James Roche was standing at his desk on the telephone looking out his window. I grabbed him by the collar, and as I pulled him into the hallway, the whole building rattled.” Jumper and his staff retreated to the basement command center of the Pentagon to help ensure continuity of the U.S. Government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In June 2007 Jumper joined board of directors of Science Applications International Corporation, a federal contractor company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 1, 2012 Jumper became SAIC's CEO<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> and was essential in splitting the company into two. After the split Jumper remained the CEO of the company which changed its name to Leidos.<ref name="Aitoro1">Template:Cite news</ref> Jumper retired as CEO in July 2014, when Roger Krone succeeded him as the company's new CEO, but Jumper stayed on as chairman of the company's board of directors.<ref name="WashPostCEO">Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Jumper's wife is named Ellen McGhee and they have three daughters Melissa, Catherine, and Janet, all of whom have served in the Air Force.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On November 6, 2022 his daughter Catherine was promoted to brigadier general and Commander of the Virginia National Guard Air Component. John Jumper served as the presiding official over the ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Jumper has five grandchildren.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Jumper appeared as himself in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Lost City: Part 2" (S07E22).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Assignments

  1. June 1966 – July 1967, student pilot, 3550th Pilot Training Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
  2. July 1967 – September 1967, C-7 upgrade training, Sewart AFB, Tennessee
  3. October 1967 – October 1968, C-7 pilot, 459th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam
  4. November 1968 – July 1969, F-4 upgrade training, 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron, George AFB, California
  5. July 1969 – May 1970, instructor pilot, weapons officer and fast forward air controller, 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand
  6. June 1970 – July 1974, instructor pilot, flight examiner and standardization and evaluation chief, 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England
  7. July 1974 – August 1977, flight instructor, later, flight commander, U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
  8. August 1977 – June 1978, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
  9. June 1978 – August 1981, staff officer for operations and readiness, Tactical Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
  10. August 1981 – July 1982, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
  11. July 1982 – February 1983, chief of safety, 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada
  12. March 1983 – July 1983, commander, 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada
  13. July 1983 – August 1986, special assistant and executive officer to the commander, headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, Virginia
  14. August 1986 – February 1988, vice commander, later, commander, 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
  15. February 1988 – May 1990, commander, 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada
  16. June 1990 – April 1992, deputy director for politico-military affairs, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
  17. May 1992 – February 1994, senior military assistant to the secretary of defense, Washington, D.C.
  18. February 1994 – July 1994, special assistant to the Air Force chief of staff for roles and missions, Washington, D.C.
  19. August 1994 – June 1996, commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
  20. June 1996 – November 1997, deputy chief of staff for air and space operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
  21. December 1997 – February 2000, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany
  22. February 2000 – September 2001, commander, Headquarters ACC, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
  23. September 2001 – September 2005, chief of staff, headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Flight information

Honors

The General John P. Jumper Awards for Excellence in Warfighting Integration is named in his honor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He is in the Virginia Military Institute Air Force ROTC Hall of Fame<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On May 18, 2024 Nellis Air Force Base dedicated its new headquarters building in honor of Jumper. It was named the General John P. Jumper Headquarters Complex. During the ceremony retired Air Force General Lori Robinson stated "Today we are honoring a leader, warrior, mentor and visionary — someone who represents the heart and soul of our Air Force".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Awards and decorations

Command Air Force Pilot Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Template:Ribbon devices Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters<ref name="valor">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Army Distinguished Service Medal<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Navy Distinguished Service Medal<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Defense Superior Service Medal<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters<ref name="valor"/>
Template:Ribbon devices Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices Air Medal with three silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Template:Ribbon devices Air Medal (18th consecutive award of this medal; denotes second ribbon for accouterment spacing)
Template:Ribbon devices Presidential Unit Citation (Air Force) with bronze oak leaf cluster
Template:Ribbon devices Presidential Unit Citation (Navy)
Template:Ribbon devices Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
Template:Ribbon devices Combat Readiness Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Template:Ribbon devices Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star
Template:Ribbon devices Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star
Template:Ribbon devices Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Template:Ribbon devices Air Force Training Ribbon
Template:Ribbon devices French Legion of Honour, Commandeur Medal
Military Meritorious Service Medal, Singapore
Template:Ribbon devices Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
Template:Ribbon devices SICOFAA Legion of Merit, Officer
Template:Ribbon devices Vietnam Campaign Medal

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions
Insignia Rank Date
General November 17, 1997
Lieutenant General  September 1, 1994
Major General February 1, 1992
Brigadier General August 1, 1989
File:US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel October 1, 1985
File:US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 1980
File:US-O4 insignia.svg Major January 1, 1978
File:US-O3 insignia.svg Captain June 12, 1969
File:US-O2 insignia.svg First Lieutenant December 12, 1967
File:US-OF1B.svg Second Lieutenant June 12, 1966

Tanker Lease Scandal

On June 7, 2005 General Jumper apologized to Senator McCain for internal Air Force emails about the Senator in the context of the tanker lease scandal, calling them "unprofessional and not worthy of a great Air Force."<ref>Report Faults Air Force on Proposed Boeing Deal</ref>

Thunderbirds "Thundervision" Scandal

Members of the United States Air Force were under investigation by the FBI for having awarded a $50 million contract for audio-visual presentation services to Strategic Message Solutions of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The contract involved the "Thundervision" project, meant to provide oversized video screens and perhaps content services during air shows that featured the Air Force Thunderbirds. The investigation revolves around possible involvement of Jumper, and then Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley.

It was suggested that the contract price was inflated, because a friend of the two generals, Air Force General (ret.) Hal Hornburg, was associated with Strategic Message Solutions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two companies involved in the bidding process protested award of the contract, one having offered comparable services for half as much. The Air Force later cancelled the contract.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

Notes

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