Major General Joel “Joker” Carey serves as Chief of Staff, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. He oversees Headquarters USINDOPACOM in support of the Commander, USINDOPACOM’s responsibilities for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific, covering 36 Nations, 14 time zones, and 60 percent of the world’s population. USINDOPACOM includes 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen and Department of Defense Civilians.

Maj. Gen. Carey is a native of Midlothian, Texas and was commissioned as a distinguished graduate of the ROTC at Baylor University in 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Baylor University, and both a Master of Military Operational Art and Science and Master of Strategic Studies from Air University.

He has served in numerous positions at the squadron, group, wing, numbered air force, major command, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization air component levels. His assignments have included multiple tours in the Indo-Pacific, European and Central Command areas of responsibility as well as command of an operational fighter squadron, vice commander of two air expeditionary wings and commander of three wings, including a flying training wing, air expeditionary wing and large combat wing. He has deployed in support of operations Deliberate Force, Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Freedom Sentinel and U.S. Air Force Central Command’s Theater Security Package.

Prior to his current position, he served as Director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence, and Nuclear Integration at Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Major General Carey is a command pilot with more than 3,200 hours in the F-15C/D, A-29, F-111, EF-111, MC-12W, C-208, T-38C and F-15E aircraft, including more than 180 combat missions.

Major General Carey assumed the duties as Chief of Staff, United States Indo-Pacific Command in August of 2024.

(as of August 2024)

Last Updated: 24 February 2025