Lieutenant General Kevin Iiams is a native of New Orleans, LA and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and upon completion of flight school was assigned to fly the FA-18 Hornet.

Lieutenant General Iiams’ Command tours include Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 “The Bats” from 2003 to 2005, where he deployed to Iraq for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. From 2009 to 2011 Lieutenant General Iiams commanded Marine Aircraft Group 41 in Fort Worth, Texas and sustained multiple unit deployments in support of global commitments. In 2013, he deployed for combat in Afghanistan as the Assistant Wing Commander for 2d MAW (FWD) HQ for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 13. From 2014 to 2015 he served as the Assistant Wing Commander, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing in Miramar, CA. In Jan 2016, Lieutenant General Iiams was assigned as Commander of MARFORSOUTH where he was responsible for all US Marine activities across Central and South America and the Caribbean. In May 2017, he transferred to Quantico, VA as Commanding General Training and Education Command. In July 2018, Lieutenant General Iiams transferred to MCAS Miramar, CA and served 2 years as the Commanding General 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. From August 2020 to July 2021 he served concurrently as the Deputy Commander Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Assistant Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

Lieutenant General Iiams’ other operational tours in the FA-18 include VMFA-451 “The Warlords” 1990-1992; VMFA-235 “The Death Angels” 1993-1996; and VMFA-232 “The Red Devils” 2000-2002; where he participated in combat during Operations DESERT SHIELD/ DESERT STORM and NOBLE EAGLE and supported contingency operations during multiple WESTPAC deployments.

Lieutenant General Iiams’ staff and joint assignments were as a Forward Air Controller Instructor, FA-18 Tactics Instructor/Division Head and Adversary Pilot at MAWTS-1 from 1996 to 1999. From 2002 to 2003 he served as Operations Officer for Marine Aircraft Group 11 planning and supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM. From 2006 to 2009 he served at USCENTCOM in multiple key billets as the Battlestaff Exercise Branch Chief; the Chief of Operations for the Joint Operations Center; and Director J7 Training and Exercises. From 2011 to 2012 he served as the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing Standards Officer. In June 2013, he was assigned as Deputy Director for Operations in the National Military Command Center, J3, The Joint Staff.

Lieutenant General Iiams attended and graduated from Amphibious Warfare School in 1993; the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course in 1995; the Air Force Air Command and Staff College in 2000; the US Army War College in 2006; and the Armed Forces Staff College in 2009. He was designated a Joint Qualified Officer in 2009. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Engineering, a Master’s degree in Military Arts and Science and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.

Lieutenant General Iiams has over 4000 hours in tactical aircraft, and has flown over 500 combat hours on over 270 combat missions. His personal decorations include: The Defense Superior Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; The Legion of Merit; The Bronze Star with Gold Star; The Meritorious Service Medal; The Air Medal with Gold Star, Combat “V” and 18 Strike Flight Awards; The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars and Combat “V”; and The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.