Major General James H. Pillsbury assumed command of the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command on 1 December 2003.

General Pillsbury graduated from Trinity University, San Antonio Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in International Relations from Troy State University. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Transportation Officer Advanced Course, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.

Prior to his current assignment, General Pillsbury served as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, from August 2002 to October 2003.

General Pillsbury has served in a variety of command and staff assignments. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 1973 and began his military career as a liaison officer and later Assistant S-4, with the 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington. Early in his career, he served as a platoon leader, detachment commander, and company executive officer and commander.

From 1991- 1993 he served as Commander, 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky; from 1993-1994 he served as Executive Officer, Force Development, Aviation Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, United States Army, Washington, DC; then from 1995-1997 he served as Commander, Division Support Command, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell. General Pillsbury also served as Assistant Division Commander (Support), 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, New York from 1997-1998.

His joint assignments include Chief, Sustainability, Mobilization Plans and Exercises Division, J-4 from 1998-1999; Deputy Director, Logistics, Readiness and Requirements, J-4, from 1999-2000; and finally as Commander of the Defense Distribution Center, Defense Logistics Agency, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2002. In 2002, he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with two Bronze Stars), and the Parachutist, Senior Army Aviator, Air Assault, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification, and Army Staff Identification Badges.