{"id":6281,"date":"2026-04-14T08:18:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/?p=6281"},"modified":"2026-04-14T08:24:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:24:05","slug":"stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-6281-stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force","title":{"rendered":"Stayce D. Harris: The First African American Female Three-Star General in the US Air Force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The name Stayce D. Harris is forever etched into the history of American military <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal\/through-obstacles-to-the-goal-the-story-of-bessie-coleman\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal\/through-obstacles-to-the-goal-the-story-of-bessie-coleman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aviation<\/a>. She became the first African American woman to achieve the rank of three-star lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. She was also the first reservist to reach this elite level outside of the Air Force Reserve Command. Her career is a masterclass in blending military professionalism, civil aviation, and strategic management. Today, Harris serves on the Boeing Board of Directors, where her expertise in flight safety and complex aviation systems continues to play a vital role. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\">losangeleska<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a003e8a12f09\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a003e8a12f09\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-6281-stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force\/#Biography\" >Biography<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-6281-stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force\/#Military_Career\" >Military Career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-6281-stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force\/#Command_Leadership\" >Command Leadership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-6281-stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force\/#Working_at_Boeing\" >Working at Boeing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-6281-stayce-d-harris-the-first-african-american-female-three-star-general-in-the-us-air-force\/#Awards_and_Recognition\" >Awards and Recognition<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Biography\"><\/span>Biography<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Stayce D. Harris was born into a military family in Los Angeles in 1959. Her father, Clyde Bruce Harris, served in the US Air Force, which heavily influenced her future career path. After graduating from high school in Fayetteville, North Carolina, she attended the <a href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal\/history-of-four-sororities-and-fraternities-at-the-university-of-california-how-will-los-angeles-surprise-you\">University<\/a> of Southern California. In 1981, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. It was at USC that Harris completed the ROTC program and received her officer&#8217;s commission. She later earned a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one of the world&#8217;s premier aviation institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to her engineering and aviation degrees, Harris holds a Cybersecurity Oversight certification from Carnegie Mellon University. This robust educational background allows her to seamlessly integrate technical knowledge, management skills, and strategic thinking. It ultimately makes her an invaluable consultant on security and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Military_Career\"><\/span>Military Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Harris began her Air Force career in 1981. She served on active duty until 1990 before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, where she continued to take on critical roles across various staff and command structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a reservist, she served as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) and played a key role in strategic planning. She held several major command positions, including commander of the 729th Airlift Squadron, the 494th Air Expeditionary Group, and the 459th Air Refueling Wing. Harris is a command pilot with over 2,500 flight hours in military aircraft, including the C-130, KC-135, and C-141.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1578\" height=\"1016\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33.jpeg 1578w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33-300x193.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33-768x494.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33-1536x989.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33-696x448.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-33-1068x688.jpeg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1578px) 100vw, 1578px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Alongside her military service, Harris built a highly successful career in commercial aviation. She spent more than 30 years as a pilot for United Airlines, flying heavy jets like the Boeing 747, 757, 767, and 777, and logging over 10,000 flight hours. During her time at United, she was one of only eight African American female pilots in the company and one of about 20 in the entire industry. She flew long-haul international routes, perfectly balancing crew command with her passion for tourism and exploring new cultures. Harris is also an active member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, the Rotary Club of Los Angeles, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and the Reserve Officers Association. Her approach to work is defined by professionalism and a deep mutual respect for her colleagues. Harris often emphasizes that her aviation achievements are rooted in skill, discipline, and perseverance\u2014not in her gender or race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Harris believes that teamwork and flexibility are the ultimate hallmarks of a great pilot. She is deeply committed to maintaining the flying proficiency of reservists and takes pride in mentoring young aviators, particularly those from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Her involvement with Tuskegee Airmen Inc. highlights her dedication to passing down the rich history and expertise of aviation to the next generation. Under her leadership, March Air Reserve Base successfully executed critical missions, including supporting international scientific and defense operations like Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica, showcasing her team&#8217;s exceptional training and professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2034\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34.jpeg 1500w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34-221x300.jpeg 221w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34-768x1041.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34-1133x1536.jpeg 1133w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34-696x944.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-34-1068x1448.jpeg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Command_Leadership\"><\/span>Command Leadership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Harris&#8217;s career trajectory in the US Air Force was nothing short of groundbreaking. In 2005, she became the first African American woman to command an air refueling wing. She earned her first star as a brigadier general in 2009, was promoted to major general in 2013, and made history by achieving the rank of lieutenant general in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She held several pivotal roles, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Commander of the 22nd Air Force;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Director of the Air Staff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>From 2017 to 2019, Harris served as the Inspector General of the Air Force. In this capacity, she oversaw the efficiency, discipline, and readiness of all units, including nuclear forces. Reporting directly to top Air Force leadership, her portfolio was incredibly broad. She was responsible for inspecting combat and support units, overseeing counterintelligence operations, investigating fraud and misconduct, supervising criminal investigations, and managing the complaints and disciplinary system. Elite structures like the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Air Force Inspection Agency operated under her direct supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside the military, she serves as an independent director for the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex. Highly active on committees focused on aviation safety, governance, and special programs, she leverages her extensive military and aviation background to shape corporate strategies and elevate safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"821\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-35.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-35.jpeg 821w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-35-300x207.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-35-768x530.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-35-696x481.jpeg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Working_at_Boeing\"><\/span>Working at Boeing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After retiring from the military in 2019, Harris joined the Boeing Board of Directors in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an independent director, she serves on several key committees, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Aerospace Safety Committee;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Special Programs Committee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Her profound expertise helps the company continuously improve its safety standards and risk management protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Awards_and_Recognition\"><\/span>Awards and Recognition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout her distinguished career, Harris has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. She is an active member of various professional organizations, such as the Air Force Association, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and Women Military Aviators. She proudly wears the Command Pilot Badge and the Headquarters Air Force Badge, insignia that symbolize her exceptional operational and institutional leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stayce Harris continues to make a lasting impact across both the military community and the civilian sector through professional associations like the Air Force Association, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Women Military Aviators, and the American Legion. Her journey serves as a powerful inspiration for a new generation of officers, reservists, and leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1259\" height=\"729\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-36.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-36.jpeg 1259w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-36-300x174.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-36-768x445.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-36-696x403.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.losangeleska.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2026\/04\/image-36-1068x618.jpeg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1259px) 100vw, 1259px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Stayce D. Harris is more than just a military leader; she is a catalyst for change within the US Armed Forces. By becoming the first African American woman to reach such an elite rank, she paved the way for future generations of women and minorities in the military. Today, her portrait hangs proudly in the Pentagon, a lasting tribute to her historic achievements and enduring contributions to the US Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The career of Stayce D. Harris demonstrates how a combination of professionalism, education, and true leadership can transform entire institutions. From commercial pilot to lieutenant general, from military duty to corporate governance, her story perfectly illustrates the power of strategic thinking, discipline, and unwavering dedication. Her contributions to the advancement of aviation, flight safety, and military command remain invaluable not only to the United States but to the global aviation community as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The name Stayce D. Harris is forever etched into the history of American military aviation. She became the first African American woman to achieve the rank of three-star lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. She was also the first reservist to reach this elite level outside of the Air Force Reserve Command. Her [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":402,"featured_media":6261,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1035],"tags":[5928,5924,5926,5932,5933,5930,5935,5927,5899,5902,5931,5934,5923,5929,5906,5925,5908,5898,4935],"motype":[1045],"moformat":[2195],"moimportance":[34,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-6281","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-psychology-of-women","8":"tag-african-american-female-pilots","9":"tag-air-force-leadership","10":"tag-air-force-military-awards","11":"tag-air-force-reservists","12":"tag-aviation-career","13":"tag-aviation-commanders","14":"tag-aviation-history","15":"tag-aviation-safety","16":"tag-boeing-747","17":"tag-embry-riddle-aeronautical-university","18":"tag-engineering-and-aviation","19":"tag-female-leadership","20":"tag-flight-training","21":"tag-military-aviation","22":"tag-operation-deep-freeze","23":"tag-stayce-d-harris","24":"tag-tuskegee-airmen","25":"tag-united-airlines","26":"tag-us-air-force","27":"motype-eternal","28":"moformat-c-l","29":"moimportance-golovna-novina","30":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/402"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6281"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6281\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6282,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6281\/revisions\/6282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6281"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=6281"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=6281"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=6281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}