Bussiere’s resignation comes two months after the former Air Force chief of staff, Gen. David Allvin, announced he would step down.
The head of the Air Force Global Strike Command, Gen. Thomas Bussiere, announced on Sept. 30 that he is retiring.
“After much reflection and with a full heart, Barb and I have made a difficult decision to request retirement from the United States Air Force for personal and family reasons,” Bussiere said in a post on Facebook. He did not elaborate on those reasons.
Bussiere added that while he is “stepping away from active duty, my commitment to service remains,” and added he will “look forward to finding new ways to support our Air Force, our national defense and the incredible people who make it all possible.”
The Trump administration nominated Bussiere to be the Air Force vice chief of staff in July. That nomination, however, was withdrawn in September, and Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, a four-star general and former fighter pilot, has now been nominated for the position.
Bussiere’s resignation comes two months after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced he would step down, halfway through his term.
“He is a combat-tested aviator and has the experience of leading combat forces around the globe,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said in a statement announcing Wilsbach’s nomination.
“I have full confidence that he will make sure Airmen embody a warrior ethos and are ready to defend our nation and maintain our dominance against all adversaries.”
Bussiere’s retirement came days after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made a speech to top military officials in Quantico, Virginia, where he said he would be raising standards for fitness and personal grooming. Hegseth also said the military’s internal investigation and complaint process would be overhauled.
“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth told military officials during the event on Sept. 30.
At the same event, Trump also delivered a speech to the military top brass, saying that the United States is “under invasion from within” and added that the military should train in “dangerous cities” across the country beset by crime.
