Brig. Gen. Thompson chosen for promotion Published May 6, 2011 Kirtland Air Force Base -- Brig. Gen. John F. Thompson, Air Force Program Executive Officer for Strategic Systems, Kirtland Air Force Base, has been nominated by the President to the Senate for appointment to the grade of major general. General Thompson entered the Air Force in 1984 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served in a variety of scientific, acquisition and logistics-oriented capacities.