Oneida Times

Michael J. Basla served in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant General after nearly 36 years of active duty. A native of Syracuse, his career spanned significant periods such as the latter half of the Cold War and many years of the Global War on Terrorism. He was stationed in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall and at the Pentagon during the events of September 11, 2001.

Basla began his career as a Communications Officer and expanded his expertise to include command and control, computer systems, space operations, and cyberspace operations. His service record includes assignments in five operational communications units and extensive joint experience. Notably, he served as Director for C4 Systems for Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Saudi Arabia, supporting United Nations security resolutions against Iraq.

He also held key positions on the Joint Staff twice and served as Vice Commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. In this role, he assisted in organizing, equipping, training, and maintaining mission-ready nuclear, space, and cyberspace forces for North Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

His final assignment was Chief Information Dominance as the Air Force Senior Cyberspace Officer and Chief Information Officer at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon. In this capacity, he led four directorates supporting 77,000 cyber operations personnel worldwide with a portfolio valued at $17 billion.

Basla's major awards include The Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He was inducted into the Air Force Cyberspace and Support Hall of Fame in 2021.

Since retiring in 2014, Basla has been active in various endeavors. He has served on AFCEA International’s Executive Board of Directors and its Cyber Committee; on the national Armed Services YMCA Board of Directors; and as Honorary Chairman of Volunteers for Ukraine. Currently residing in Cazenovia with his wife Rebecca, Basla is President of both the Cazenovia Memorial Association and Cazenovia Lions Club. He also partners with Wounded Warrior Project to co-host an annual appreciation day for wounded warriors at “The Maples” farm.

His first wife Barbara is buried at Arlington National Cemetery; together they had four children: Sara, Beth, Marissa, and Adam.