Pacific Air Forces is responsible for Air Force activities spread over half the globe in a command that supports 45,000 airmen serving principally in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Korea and Japan.

North was commissioned in 1976 as a distinguished graduate from East Carolina University's Air Force ROTC program.

He has held numerous operational, command and staff positions, and has completed four long and four short overseas tours.

The general has served two tours on the Joint Staff, serving as executive officer to the director of the Joint Staff, and as director of politico-military affairs for Asia-Pacific, where he was responsible for regional planning and policy for the Asia-Pacific, South Asia and Central Asia regions.

He has served on the Air Force Staff as the chief of Joint Requirements Division and deputy director of joint matters, and as the director for operations, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.