Lieutenant General
Robert J. "Bob" Elder Jr.
Lt. Gen. Robert J. “Bob” Elder is Commander, 8th Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike and Integration, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb. He also commands the Air Force service component headquarters for cyberspace, global strike and network operations, and Strategic Command's bomber and reconnaissance Task Force 204. The "Mighty Eighth" provides long-range global strike, cyber warfare, information operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, battle management, and expeditionary construction capabilities to theater combatant commanders. Eighth Air Force is also responsible for operation and security of the Air Force computer enterprise network.
Elder's staff experience includes senior leadership positions with the Joint Staff, Air Staff, Air Combat Command and NATO. He has commanded an operational wing, group and squadron; commanded unit deployments to Southwest Asia, Europe and the Pacific; and held senior command positions in operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his current assignment, he was Commandant of the Air War College. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including 83 combat hours. Elder holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree and doctorate in engineering, all from the University of Detroit.