HURLBURT FIELD, Fl. -- Air Commandos, family, and friends gathered here to honor Brig. Gen. Michael Conley, director of operations for Air Force Special Operations Command, as he was promoted to lieutenant general by Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander, July 1, in preparation to his assumption of command July 2.
Bauernfeind offered three perspectives when reflecting on Conley’s career.
“First, it’s excellence that Mike brings to the table,” said Bauernfeind. “Second is his exceptional ability to chart a vision, and finally, an absolute perfectionist, as a team maker and a teambuilder.”
A 1996 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Conley is armed with a wealth of experience, with time at AFSOC headquarters and prior assignments as the vice commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., as the director of strategy, plans, requirements, and programs at Air Mobility Command, and as the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing here. He also has significant experience in integrating tactical units, joint operation centers and inter-agencies.
A command pilot, Conley has more than 2,400 flight hours in aircraft including the T-37 Tweet, the UH-1H/N Iroquois helicopter, the MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV, the MV-22 Osprey, the CV-22B, and other special operations aircraft.
“This entire team is proud of what you have done to earn the nomination from one star to three star,” said Bauernfeind. “It’s an absolute rarity, just as the rarity of you as an officer.”
Conley is set to command more than 21,000 total force and civilian Air Commandos. AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment.
“I’m greatly humbled and honored,” said Conley. “I will do my best to earn the rank that I've been given the opportunity to wear and lead this command starting tomorrow morning.”