Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States of America.
George W. Bush is the 43rd President of the United States.
Formerly the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, President Bush has earned
a reputation as a compassionate conservative who shapes policy based on the
principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families and
local control. President Bush was born July 6, 1946, and grew up in Midland
and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University and
a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He served
as an F-102 pilot for the Texas Air National Guard before beginning his career
in the oil and gas business in Midland in 1975, working in the energy industry
until 1986. After working on his father's successful 1988 presidential campaign,
he assembled the group of partners that purchased the Texas Rangers baseball
franchise in 1989. He served as managing general partner of the Texas Rangers
until he was elected Governor on November 8, 1994, with 53.5 percent of the
vote. In an historic re-election victory, he became the first Texas Governor
to be elected to consecutive four-year terms on November 3, 1998, winning 68.6
percent of the vote. President Bush is pursuing the same common-sense approach
and bipartisan spirit that he used in Texas. He has proposed bold initiatives
to ensure that America's prosperity has a purpose. He has also addressed improving
our nation's public schools by strengthening local control and insisting on
accountability; reducing taxes on all taxpayers, especially for those Americans
on the fringes of poverty; strengthening the military with better pay, better
planning, and better equipment; saving and strengthening Social Security and
Medicare by providing seniors with more options; and ushering in the responsibility
era in America.
Honorable Richard B. Cheney
Vice President of the United States of America.
Vice President Richard B. Cheney has had a distinguished career as a businessman and public servant, serving four Presidents and as an elected official. Throughout his service, Mr. Cheney served with duty, honor, and unwavering leadership, gaining him the respect of the American people during trying military times. Mr. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941 and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his bachelor's and master's of arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House. When Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency in August 1974, Mr. Cheney served on the transition team and later as Deputy Assistant to the President. In November 1975, he was named Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff, a position he held throughout the remainder of the Ford Administration.
Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense.
Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in as the 22nd Secretary of Defense on December
18, 2006. Before assuming his present post, Dr. Gates was the President of Texas
A&M University from August 1, 2002 to December 18, 2006.
Dr. Gates served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and
Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999-2001. He served as Director of Central
Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. In this position, he headed all foreign intelligence
agencies of the United States and directed the Central Intelligence Agency.
Dr. Gates is the only career officer in CIA’s history to rise from entry-level
employee to Director. He served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from
1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security
Adviser at The White House from January 20, 1989 until November 6, 1991 for
President George H.W. Bush. Dr. Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency
in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six
presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security
Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.
Dr. Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens
Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal,
and has three times received CIA’s highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence
Medal. Dr. Gates serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of
the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Association
of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Executive Board
of the Boy Scouts of America. He is President of the National Eagle Scout Association.
Dr. Gates serves as Chairman of the Independent Trustees of The Fidelity Funds,
the nation’s largest mutual fund company, and on the board of directors
of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company,
Inc. A native of Kansas, Dr. Gates received his bachelor’s degree from
the College of William and Mary, his master’s degree in history from Indiana
University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown
University. Dr. Gates is 63, and he and his wife Becky have two adult children.
General Peter Pace
Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Peter Pace was sworn in as sixteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sep. 30, 2005. In this capacity, he serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council. Prior to becoming Chairman, he served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Pace holds the distinction of being the first Marine to have served in either of these positions
Honorable Michael W. Wynne
Secretary of the Air Force
In this role, he is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping, and providing for the welfare of its nearly 370,000 men and women on active duty, 180,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 160,000 civilians, and their families.As head of the Department of the Air Force, Secretary Wynne is responsible for its functioning and efficiency, the formulation of its policies and programs, and the timely implementation of decisions and instructions of the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense.Mr. Wynne replaces Pete Geren who has served as the acting Secretary of the Air Force since July 29, 2005."I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside America's Airmen, and their Joint Service partners to keep our Nation safe," said Secretary Wynne "With their dedication, skill and sacrifice, they offer an incredible array of options to the President and the Nation; from taking the fight to the enemy, providing strategic intelligence to the Joint Force, or providing humanitarian assistance at home and internationally in the wake of natural disasters."Prior to assuming his position, Secretary Wynne served in the Department of Defense as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary Of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.Mr. Wynne served in the Air Force for seven years, ending as a Captain and Assistant Professor of Astronautics at the US Air Force Academy teaching Control Theory and Fire Control Techniques.Mr. Wynne graduated from the United States Military Academy and also holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Masters in Business from the University of Colorado.
General Terry M. Moseley
Cheif of Staff of the Air Force
General T. Michael Moseley is Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As Chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of more than 710,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.General Moseley graduated from Texas A&M University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Texas A&M University in 1972, also in political science. He has commanded the F-15 Division of the USAF Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev., the 33rd Operations Group at Eglin AFB, Fla., and the 57th Wing, the Air Force's largest, most diverse flying wing, also at Nellis. The general has served as the combat Director of Operations for Joint Task Force-Southwest Asia. General Moseley also commanded 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces while serving as Combined Forces Air Component Commander for operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The general is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has been awarded the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, the Order of National Merit (Officer) and the Order of National Merit (Commander) by the president of the French Republic, which is the second highest French military award. He has also been awarded the United Arab Emirates' Military Medal, 1st Class, by the president of the U.A.E., and the Mérito Santos-Dumont from the Brazilian Air Force.General Moseley's staff assignments have been a mix of operational, joint and personnel duties. These include serving in Washington, D.C., as Director for Legislative Liaison for the Secretary of the Air Force; Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia/Pacific and Middle East, the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chief of the Air Force General Officer Matters Office; Chief of Staff of the Air Force Chair and Professor of Joint and Combined Warfare at the National War College; and Chief of the Tactical Fighter Branch, Tactical Forces Division, Directorate of Plans, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Rodney J. McKinley
Represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. He serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. Chief McKinley is the 15th chief master sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position. Chief McKinley grew up in Mount Orab, Ohio. He originally entered the Air Force in 1974, took a break in service in 1977, and re-entered the Air Force in 1982. His background includes various duties in medical and aircraft maintenance, and as a first sergeant and command chief master sergeant at wing, numbered air force and major command levels. His assignments include bases in North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. The chief also served overseas in the Philippines, Italy and Germany, and deployed to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Before assuming his current position, he served as Command Chief Master Sergeant, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He was appointed to the position of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force on June 30, 2006.
General William R. Loony III
Commander of the Air Education and Training Command
Gen. William R. Looney III is Commander, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. As commander, he is responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force people. His command includes the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. Air Education and Training Command consists of 13 bases, more than 66,000 active-duty members, 15,000 civilians, and 1,750 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft.General Looney graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1972, where he commanded the cadet wing in his senior year. The general has commanded a flight, a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, an air expeditionary force, a military college, a warfare center, a numbered air force and two acquisition centers.General Looney flew 62 combat hours in the F-15 in support of Operation Southern Watch and commanded Joint Task Force 86-2 in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including 2,500 in the F-15.
Lieutenant General Stephen R. Lorenz
Commander of Air University
Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz is Commander, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Air University provides the full spectrum of Air Force education, graduating more than 50,000 resident and 120,000 non-resident officers, enlisted and civilian personnel each year from pre-commissioning to the highest levels of professional military education, including degree granting and professional continuing education. Additionally, he is responsible for officer commissioning through Officer Training School and the Reserve Officer Training Corps.The general entered the Air Force in 1973 following graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy and attended undergraduate pilot training at Craig Air Force Base, Ala. He is a command pilot with 3,300 hours in eight aircraft. He has commanded an air refueling squadron, a geographically separated operations group, an air refueling wing that won the 1994 Riverside Trophy for Best Wing in the 15th Air Force, and an air mobility wing that won the 1995 Armstrong Trophy for Best Wing in the 21st Air Force. He also commanded the training wing at the academy where he served as the Commandant of Cadets.Prior to his current assignment, the general was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
Brigadier General Alfred K. Flowers
Commander of the Air Force Officer Accessions and Training Schools
Brig. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers is Commander, Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He is the single point manager for approximately 13,000 students in 144 detachments in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and 1,900 students in Officer Training School. He controls nearly 80 percent of line, chaplain, judge advocate, nurse, medical service and biomedical science officer production for the Air Force. He also oversees the Air Force Junior ROTC program at more than 869 locations with more than 105,000 students.General Flowers was commissioned following graduation from Officer Training School as a distinguished graduate of the December 1978 class. He first served as a budget officer at the squadron, major command and Air Staff levels. In 1990, he was assigned as Chief of the Budget Operations Division for the Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, Va., where he would later serve as the Chief of Budget. The general has served on the Joint Staff as Defense Resource Manager, and in 1999 he was the Director of Budget Programs for the Department of the Air Force. Prior to his current position, he was assigned as Director, Center for Force Structure, Requirements, Resources and Strategic Assessments, Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla
Colonel Norman Balchunas
Director of AFJROTC Program
Colonel Norm “Gump” Balchunas is the Director, Air Force Junior
Reserve Officer Training Corps, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He is responsible
for the Air Force’s High School citizenship training program for more
than 102,000 students at over 850 high schools worldwide, managing over 1,800
instructors. Colonel Balchunas directs staff initiatives and policy to implement
the world’s largest and most comprehensive aerospace science education
program. He develops policies and procedures for the day-to-day operation of
the JROTC program; establishes standards for unit operations, instructor qualifications,
and cadet performance; screens, approves, and certifies instructors; establishes
and disestablishes JROTC units; establishes the curriculum; and provides equipment,
supplies, and uniforms to JROTC units. He also conducts certification and training
workshops for
instructors and collects data on student performance and demographics. The colonel
also monitors distribution of 10 percent of AFROTC scholarships for officer
candidates allocated to JROTC. Colonel Balchunas entered the Air Force in September
1983 after receiving his commission in May 1983 through Bloomsburg University's
AFROTC program. The colonel has served as a B-52 standardization and evaluation
and instructor electronic warfare officer and academic and flight line instructor
and as a squadron commander. He has served as an assistant professor of aerospace
studies and commandant of cadets at an ROTC detachment. Colonel Balchunas deployed
as an expeditionary bomb squadron commander for combat operations in support
of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His previous assignment
was as deputy commander of Air Force ROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
Inportant People to the United States Air Force.
General of the Air Force (Ret.)
Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold
(June 25, 1886 – January 15, 1950) was an aviation
pioneer and commander of the United States Army Air Corps (from 1938), commander
of the U.S. Army Air Forces (from 1941 until 1945) and the first and only General
of the Air Force (in 1949.) He is also the only person to be a five-star general
in two armed services.