News | Dec. 29, 2021

In Memoriam: General Colin Powell Photo Retrospective

By NDU Press Joint Force Quarterly 104

Colin Luther Powell
Colin Luther Powell
Colin Luther Powell
Photo By: DOD
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1002

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In Memoriam
Colin Luther Powell
12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
October 1, 1989–September 30, 1993


In 1993, as the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell founded this journal, Joint Force Quarterly—or simply JFQ, and introduced its inaugural issue that summer. His vision was to create a dynamic publication that would educate and inspire current and future military leaders serving across the joint force and “to provide for a free give-and-take of ideas among a wide range of people from every corner of the military.” Nearly 30 years later, and with over 100 JFQs published, our editorial team and contributing authors have consistently strived to carry forward his integrity, leadership, and steadfast commitment to our county’s warfighters. We offer this photo retrospective in honor of an extraordinary hero whose vision and determination shaped this journal and our nation. JFQ


General Powell and General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, commander-in-chief, U.S. Central Command, discuss coalition activities during Operation Desert Shield (DOD/H.H. Deffner)
General Powell and General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, commander-in-chief, U.S. Central Command, discuss coalition activities during Operation Desert Shield (DOD/H.H. Deffner)
General Powell and General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, commander-in-chief, U.S. Central Command, discuss coalition activities during Operation Desert Shield (DOD/H.H. Deffner)
General Powell and General Norman H. Schwarzkopf
General Powell and General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, commander-in-chief, U.S. Central Command, discuss coalition activities during Operation Desert Shield (DOD/H.H. Deffner)
Photo By: H.H. Deffner
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1003
Secretary Powell meets with senior George W. Bush administration officials in President’s Emergency Operations Center, September 11, 2001 (National Archives and Records Administration/David Bohrer)
Secretary Powell meets with senior George W. Bush administration officials in President’s Emergency Operations Center, September 11, 2001 (National Archives and Records Administration/David Bohrer)
Secretary Powell meets with senior George W. Bush administration officials in President’s Emergency Operations Center, September 11, 2001 (National Archives and Records Administration/David Bohrer)
Secretary Powell meets with senior George W. Bush administration officials
Secretary Powell meets with senior George W. Bush administration officials in President’s Emergency Operations Center, September 11, 2001 (National Archives and Records Administration/David Bohrer)
Photo By: David Bohrer
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1004
President Barack Obama jokes with Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Powell following their meeting in Oval Office, December 1, 2010 (The White House/Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama jokes with Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Powell following their meeting in Oval Office, December 1, 2010 (The White House/Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama jokes with Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Powell following their meeting in Oval Office, December 1, 2010 (The White House/Pete Souza)
resident Barack Obama jokes with Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Powell following their meeting in Oval Office
President Barack Obama jokes with Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Powell following their meeting in Oval Office, December 1, 2010 (The White House/Pete Souza)
Photo By: Pete Souza
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1005
President George H.W. Bush announces selection of General Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, August 10, 1989 (George H.W. Bush Presidential Library)
President George H.W. Bush announces selection of General Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, August 10, 1989 (George H.W. Bush Presidential Library)
President George H.W. Bush announces selection of General Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, August 10, 1989 (George H.W. Bush Presidential Library)
President George H.W. Bush announces selection of General Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
President George H.W. Bush announces selection of General Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, August 10, 1989 (George H.W. Bush Presidential Library)
Photo By: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1006
General Powell with Soldiers from Joint Task Force B during exercise Fuertes Caminos ’91, in Honduras, April 1, 1991 (DOD/National Archives and Records Administration/Pablo Tola)
General Powell with Soldiers from Joint Task Force B during exercise Fuertes Caminos ’91, in Honduras, April 1, 1991 (DOD/National Archives and Records Administration/Pablo Tola)
General Powell with Soldiers from Joint Task Force B during exercise Fuertes Caminos ’91, in Honduras, April 1, 1991 (DOD/National Archives and Records Administration/Pablo Tola)
General Powell with Soldiers from Joint Task Force B during exercise Fuertes Caminos ’91
General Powell with Soldiers from Joint Task Force B during exercise Fuertes Caminos ’91, in Honduras, April 1, 1991 (DOD/National Archives and Records Administration/Pablo Tola)
Photo By: Pablo Tola
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1007
President Ronald Reagan, Chief of Staff Howard Baker, and newly appointed National Security Advisor Powell confer inside Rancho Del Cielo, in California, on November 25, 1987 (Reagan White House/National Archives and Records Administration)
President Ronald Reagan, Chief of Staff Howard Baker, and newly appointed National Security Advisor Powell confer inside Rancho Del Cielo, in California, on November 25, 1987 (Reagan White House/National Archives and Records Administration)
President Ronald Reagan, Chief of Staff Howard Baker, and newly appointed National Security Advisor Powell confer inside Rancho Del Cielo, in California, on November 25, 1987 (Reagan White House/National Archives and Records Administration)
President Ronald Reagan, Chief of Staff Howard Baker, and newly appointed National Security Advisor Powell confer inside Rancho Del Cielo
President Ronald Reagan, Chief of Staff Howard Baker, and newly appointed National Security Advisor Powell confer inside Rancho Del Cielo, in California, on November 25, 1987 (Reagan White House/National Archives and Records Administration)
Photo By: National Archives and Records Administration
VIRIN: 211228-D-BD104-1008