John D. W. Corley

{{short description|US Air Force general}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}

{{Infobox military person

|name=John D. W. Corley

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1951|08|11}}

|death_date=

|image=General John Corley, official Air Force photo.jpg

|caption=General John D.W. Corley

|nickname=

|birth_place=San Marcos, Texas, U.S.

|death_place=

|placeofburial=

|placeofburial_label= Place of burial

|allegiance={{flagicon|United States}} United States

|branch={{air force|USA}}

|serviceyears=1973–2009

|rank= 35px General

|unit=

|commands= Air Combat Command
Vice Chief of Staff, USAF
355th Wing
33d Operations Group
8th Fighter Squadron

|battles=

|awards=Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal

|relations=

|laterwork=

}}

John Donald Wesley Corley (born August 11, 1951){{cite news |title=1951 births |magazine=Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 |publisher=Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics}} is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force. He previously served as the commander of Air Combat Command from October 2007 to September 10, 2009, and as the 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force from September 2005 to September 2007. He retired from the Air Force on November 1, 2009.

Corley was responsible for organizing, training, equipping and maintaining combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment while ensuring strategic air defense forces are ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime defense. ACC operates more than 1,200 aircraft, 27 wings, 17 bases and more than 200 operating locations worldwide with 105,000 active-duty and civilian personnel. When mobilized, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve contribute more than 900 aircraft and 56,000 people to Air Combat Command.

As the Combat Air Forces lead agent, ACC develops strategy, doctrine, concepts, tactics and procedures for air and space power employment. The command provides conventional, nuclear and information warfare forces to all unified commands to ensure air, space and information superiority for warfighters and national decision-makers. ACC can also be called upon to assist national agencies with intelligence, surveillance and crisis response capabilities.

Prior to his last assignment, General Corley was Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As vice chief, he presided over the Air Staff and served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Requirements Oversight Council.

The son of Mettie Dean and Donald Wesley Corley,{{Cite web|url=https://www.alicetx.com/article/20070828/Obituaries/308289997|title = Obituaries for Tuesday, August 28| date=August 10, 2022 }} a United States Army Air Corps colonel,{{cite web|url=https://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46139&246139=20070524 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930121406/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46139&246139=20070524 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |title=Defense.gov News Article: Air Force General: Academy Served as 'Leadership Laboratory' |publisher=Archive.defense.gov |date= |accessdate=2019-12-16}}{{cite web|url=https://www.alicetx.com/article/20080901/Obituaries/309019979 |title=Mettie Virginia Dean Corley – Obituaries – Alice Echo News-Journal |publisher=Alice, TX |date= |accessdate=2019-12-16}} Corley entered the Air Force after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1973. He earned his wings at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in 1974. His aviation career includes more than 3,000 flying hours with combat experience. He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. His staff positions comprise a mix of operational and joint duties in Tactical Air Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Staff.

As Combined Air Operations Center director during Operation Enduring Freedom, Corley orchestrated more than 11,000 combat missions striking more than 4,700 targets, including 250 attacks against the Al Qaida and Taliban leadership. He directed the safe recovery of isolated personnel during the largest combat search and rescue mission in 50 years and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.