Bio
Lieutenant General (LTG) Dell L. Dailey graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1971, completing the Rotary Wing Aviator Course later that year. He served as a staff officer in 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger) from 1978 to 1979, and the 75th Ranger Regiment from 1984 to 1985.
Dailey joined the 160th Aviation Battalion in 1985, to begin a long association with Special Operations Aviation. He activated and commanded 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) from 1989 to 1991; commanded 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR from 1991 to 1993; and was the Regimental Commander of the 160th SOAR from 1994 to 1996.
As a general officer, Dailey was the Chief of Staff, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), before taking command of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in 2000. MG Dailey led initial combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq during the Global War on Terror.
LTG Dailey was the Deputy Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps from 2003 to 2004, and the Director of the Center for Special Operations, USSOCOM, from 2004 to 2007. During his career, he deployed to Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, JOINT GUARDIAN, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.
After retirement in 2007, LTG Dailey was appointed as an Ambassador at Large for the Department of State, to coordinate counterterrorism efforts.