Evan Pettus

Evan Pettus
Official portrait, 2024
Bornc. 1972 (age 52–53)
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Service years1994–present
RankLieutenant General
CommandsTwelfth Air Force
378th Air Expeditionary Wing
Air Command and Staff College
48th Fighter Wing
48th Fighter Wing
389th Fighter Squadron
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)

Evan Lamar Pettus[1] (born c. 1972) is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who has served as the military deputy commander of the United States Southern Command since 7 November 2024. He previously served as the commander of the Twelfth Air Force[2] and as the vice commander of the United States Air Force Warfare Center.[3]

Biography

Pettus earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and graduated from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB and from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.[3]

He was first stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom as an F-15E pilot.[3] His service record includes combat missions in operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.[3]

In July 2024, Pettus was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as deputy commander of the United States Southern Command.[4][5]

On 12 December 2025, Pettus became the acting commander of U.S. Southern Command when Admiral Alvin Holsey relinquished command early.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Redefining Tradition" (PDF). Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  2. ^ "South American Air Chiefs Converge to Forge a Path Together". 12 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Lieutenant General EVAN L. PETTUS". United States Air Force. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  4. ^ "PN1989 - 1 nominee for Air Force, 118th Congress (2023-2024) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". 31 July 2024.
  5. ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024.
  6. ^ Watson, Eleanor (12 December 2025). "Commande roverseeing U.S. forces in Caribbean relinquishes command early amid U.S. buildup of near Venezuela". CBS News. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
  • Media related to Evan L. Pettus at Wikimedia Commons