Raised on Stealth Ridge Lane in St. Johnsbury, Gen. Bussiere is a former command pilot of the B2A Spirit ‘stealth’ bomber – among many other jobs performed for the U.S. Air Force since he graduated from Norwich in 1985.

By Guy Page

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced July 18 that President Donald Trump has nominated a St. Johnsbury Academy and Norwich University graduate as Air Force Vice-Chief of Staff.

Air Force Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere has been nominated for reappointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chief of staff, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Bussiere is currently serving as commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

According to the Caledonian-Record, he was born to Bertrand and Laurette M. Bussiere, who resided on Stealth Ridge Lane in St. Johnsbury. His mom died on Sept. 27, 2015. His dad is still listed as the property owner. He graduated from St. J Academy in 1981. 

A 1985 graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at Norwich, Bussiere has led combat missions and has overseen the Air Force’s nuclear deterrence program, according to a Norwich statement. Prior to attending Norwich University, the Vermonter went to high school at St. Johnsbury Academy.

The White House has formally announced Gen Bussiere’s nomination to serve as the second highest ranking officer in the U.S. Air Force, the Norwich statement said. The nomination, submitted to the U.S. Senate on July 15, now awaits confirmation by the Senate Armed Services Committee. If confirmed, Gen Bussiere’s decades of operational experience and steady leadership will help support Air Force Chief of Staff Gen David Allvin’s vision for the future of the Air Force including readiness, adaptability, and global leadership of the Air Force.

Gen Bussiere’s nomination comes as the Air Force moves forward with efforts to modernize and strengthen the Nation’s nuclear deterrence structure, from delivery systems to command and control.

The command pilot has logged more than 3,400 hours in the T-38 Talon, F-15C Eagle, B-2A Spirit, B-1B Lancer, and F-22 Raptor. During operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior, he led F-15C combat missions while also leading B-2 combat missions as part of operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom, Norwich said. His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and many others. 

Bussiere is not the only Vermonter serving at the highest levels of the U.S. military. 

Montpelier native Richard Arthur “Dick” Cody is a retired United States Army general who served as the 31st Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 2004 to 2008. He retired in 2008. His relatives founded Cody Chevrolet on the Barre-Montpelier Road.

Rear Admirals Douglas and Kenneth Perry both hail from Enosburg, and are the sons of retired Capt. and Vermont House Representative Albert Perry. A third generation of Perrys are in the early stages of their U.S. Navy careers. 

U.S. army generals Vincent and Leo Brooks are ‘Army brats’ who grew up all over the country, but have a strong Vermont connection as the nephews of former Vermont Legislature Sergeant At Arms, representative and senator Francis Brooks of Montpelier. Vincent served as commander of all U.S. Army troops in Korea.