Edward Augustus Rice Jr. (born March 31, 1956) is a retired four-star general of the United States Air Force who served as the 30th Commander of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). As commander, he was responsible for the recruiting, training and education of all United States airmen. His command included the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. Air Education and Training Command consists of 12 bases, more than 70,600 active duty, reserve, guard, civilians and contractors, and 1,380 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft. He relinquished command of AETC to General Robin Rand on October 10, 2013. Rice previously served as Commander United States Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, Vice Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Commander, Thirteenth Air Force, and Commander, Kenney Headquarters (P), Hickam AFB, Hawaii until October 2006. He served as a White House Fellow at the Department of Health and Human Services, as a professional staff member for the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces, and as the Deputy Executive Secretary for the National Security Council. He received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and others.

Education

Born in New Mexico on March 31, 1956, and raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Rice is a 1978 distinguished United States Air Force Academy graduate where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. In 2006, he attended a Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Course, Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island Rice has flown more than 3,900 flying hours as a pilot in the B-1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, E-3 Sentry, B-2 Spirit, KC-135 Stratotanker, C-130 Hercules, T-37 Tweet and T-38 Talon.

Military assignments

Awards and decorations