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            MAJOR GENERAL JACK K. FARRISMajor General Jack K. Farris is vice commander, 15th Air Force, March Air Force Base, Calif. Fifteenth Air Force is responsible for Strategic Air Command operations in the western United States, Alaska and the Pacific. This includes responsibility for more than 80 percent of the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile force, approximately 40 percent of SAC's bomber force and most of SAC's strategic reconnaissance resources. 

General Farris was born in 1934, in Fennimore, Wis., where he graduated from high school in 1952. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Military Academy in 1957 and a master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1973. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1963, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1974 and the Air War College in 1977. He also attended the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College in 1981. 

Upon graduation from the academy, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was awarded his pilot wings in September 1958. General Farris then served with the Strategic Air Command, flying B-47s at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and B-52s at McCoy Air Force Base, Fla. In May 1964 he was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., as an air officer commanding. 

In September 1967 General Farris transferred to the 12th Air Commando Squadron "Ranch Hand" defoliation operation in the Republic of Vietnam. While there he flew 320 combat missions in UC-123s. 

In November 1968 he was assigned to the Current Operations Branch, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as an air staff officer. In June 1973 General Farris returned to the Strategic Air Command in the 2nd Bombardment Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. While of Barksdale he commanded the 2nd Organizational Maintenance Squadron and, then, the 62nd Bombardment Squadron. 

Completing the Air War College in June 1977, the general returned to the Air Force Academy as deputy commandant for the cadet wing and, then, served as deputy commandant for military instruction. 

From March 1979 to February 1981 he served as commander of the 2nd Bombardment Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base. General Farris then was assigned as director of training at SAC headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and in July 1982 became inspector general for SAC. In July 1984 he was assigned as deputy chief of staff for strategic planning and analysis, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, and deputy director for the Single Integrated Operational Plan of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff. He assumed his present duties in June 1986. 

The general is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and Combat Readiness Medal. He also wears the Parachutist Badge and Missile Badge. 

He was promoted to major general Sept. 1, 1985, with date of rank Oct. 1, 1982. 

(Current as of April 1987)