General Russell Elliott Dougherty (November 15, 1920 – September 7, 2007) was commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command and director of strategic target planning (Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff), at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. After serving in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, General Dougherty entered active military service as an aviation cadet at the outbreak of World War II; previously, he had been a member of the 123rd Cavalry, Kentucky National Guard. He received his commission and pilot wings in March 1943.