Chief of Staff
Brig. Gen. Norman West is the Chief of Staff for the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The DHA is the Combat Support Agency providing support to Combatant Commanders, and enabling the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force. In addition to the ten joint Enterprise Support Activities supporting an integrated health delivery system, DHA is responsible for the administration of the TRICARE Health Program providing worldwide medical, dental and pharmacy programs to more than 9.6 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families.
Prior to this assignment, he was Commander, Task Force Medical – Afghanistan and Commander, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group at Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. General West led a unified medical command consisting of 873 U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as Coalition partners from fourteen nations at forty-nine medical hospitals and trauma centers throughout the Combined Joint Operating Area – Afghanistan with a remarkable casualty survival rate of 97.9%. West also commanded the 412th Medical Group, Edwards Air Force Base, California capturing the Air Force Materiel Command’s “Best Clinic” and “Best Dental Clinic”. General West concurrently commanded the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and 374th Medical Operations Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan. He led specialized warriors from five Air Force squadrons and Army Chemical Company, creating and sustaining the first nuclear emergency response task force because of the deadly earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear catastrophe in Japan. He built Operation TOMODACHI strategy and long-term nuclear response capabilities sustaining over 320,000 tsunami survivors through the airlift of 2.3 million tons of relief and 23,000 hours of nuclear detection/decontamination missions.
West holds a bachelor of science in exercise physiology from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master of science in scientific basis for human performance from the University of Oklahoma, a master of public health from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, a master of science in military operational art and science from Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and a master of science in national strategic studies from National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
West’s staff assignments include Surgeon General for Air Mobility Command, U.S. Air Force’s Biomedical Sciences Corps Chief, Air Force District of Washington’s Command Surgeon, the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, Aerospace and Operational Physiology Consultant at Pacific Air Forces, 18th Wing Director of Staff, Investigations Branch Chief and Headquarters Air Force Safety Center Inspector General. Moreover, General West completed senior level studies in national security strategy formulation and implementation at National War College. He focused on national security strategy while specializing in Weapons of Mass Destruction, emphasizing a comprehensive Federal and Department of Defense perspective. General West is a board-certified Aerospace Physiologist.
West’s awards and decorations include: a Legion of Merit with one device, Bronze Star Medal with one device, Meritorious Service Medal with eight devices, Aerial Achievement Medal Air Force Commendation Medal with one device, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.