Prior to completion of this tour he acted as commander of the Eighth Air Force. He became deputy commander of the Air Materiel Command for Production and Weapons Systems. It was his job to get the new jet bombers and fighters off the production lines and into the combat units. After his many years in the production, engineering and maintenance fields, it followed that he was the logical choice to become the deputy chief of staff, Materiel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Lieutenant General Irvine is one of the statutory deputies of the chief of staff, U.S. Air Force, reporting to and representing the chief of staff for management of Air Force and Reserve Forces activities in the fields of materiel and services.
Main interest is in golf.
Enjoys college football, was on the college squad at St. Paul. Enjoys fishing but prefers hunting quail, pheasant and ducks. Manages one or two hunting trips a year. He is an exceptional speaker and in much demand by military, industrial and civic organizations. Expresses color interest in his golf attire, especially sport shirts.