Major General Kevin M. Iiams

Assistant Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration United States Marine Corps

Major General Kevin Iiams was born in 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.

Major 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, and produced a record setting 3800 combat sorties and 8300 combat hours in just 9 months while in support of the battle of Fallujah and other operations. From 2009 to 2011 Major 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, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in MCAS Miramar, CA. In Jan 2016 Major 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 was assigned to Quantico, VA as Commanding General Training and Education Command. From 2018 to 2020Major General Iiams served as the Commanding General 3d Marine Aircraft Wing.

Major 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. Major General Iiams’ staff and joint assignments were as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) Instructor, FA-18 Tactics Instructor and Adversary Pilot at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 from 1996 to 1999 and Operations Officer for Marine Aircraft Group 11 supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM from 2002 to 2003. From 2006 to 2009 he served at USCENTCOM as the Battlestaff Exercise Branch Chief, 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, and deployed to Afghanistan as the Assistant Wing Commander for 2d MAW (FWD) HQ for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 13. In June 2013 he was assigned as Deputy Director for Operations in the National Military Command Center, J3, Joint Staff.

Major 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 Engineering and Masters degrees in Major General Kevin M. Iiams Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command / Assistant Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration Military Arts and Science and Strategic Studies.

Major General Iiams has over 3800 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 Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars and Combat “V”; and The Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.