Bernard P . Randolph Bernard Peter Randolph ( born July 10 , 1933 ) is a retired United States Air Force General who served as Commander , Air Force Systems Command ( COMAFSC ) from 1987 to 1990 . Career . Randolph was born in 1933 , in New Orleans . He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1954 . He earned bachelor ( magna cum laude ) and master of science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota through the Air Force Institute of Technology program in 1964 and 1965 , respectively . He completed Squadron Officer School in 1959 , and Air Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate in 1969 , concurrently earning a master ' s degree in business administration from Auburn University . He was a distinguished graduate of the Air War College in 1974 . His first assignment after completing aviation cadet training at Ellington Air Force Base , Texas , and Mather Air Force Base , California , was with the Strategic Air Command at Lincoln Air Force Base , Nebraska , from June 1956 to June 1962 . He instructed and evaluated KC - 97 Stratotanker and B - 47 Stratojet flightcrews . While there , he was a member of a select crew . General Randolph attended the University of North Dakota until July 1965 and then was assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Station , California , as chief , on - orbit operations , Space Systems Division . He next was assigned as assistant deputy program director for launch and orbital operations , and was responsible for all payload operations . From August 1968 to October 1969 General Randolph attended Air Command and Staff College , and Auburn University . He then was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam as an airlift operations officer at Chu Lai and airlift coordinator at Tan Son Nhut Air Base . He was responsible for the total operation of about 50 C - 7 and C - 123 airlift sorties daily from Chu Lai and later coordinated the operations of all airlift control elements throughout the Republic of Vietnam . Upon his return to the United States in November 1970 , General Randolph was assigned to Air Force Systems Command headquarters as chief of command plans in test evaluation , and then as the executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for operations . General Randolph attended Air War College from August 1973 to June 1974 . Upon graduation he returned to Los Angeles Air Force Station as director , space systems planning , for the Space and Missile Systems Organization . In April 1975 he became deputy program director and , later , program director for the Air Force Satellite Communications System . He assumed responsibility for space defense systems at Space Division headquarters , Los Angeles Air Force Station , in March 1978 . In this capacity he managed a program to design and develop the U . S . anti - satellite system with its supporting surveillance , command and control , and survivability aspects . From July 1980 to September 1981 the general served as vice commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center , Robins Air Force Base , Georgia . He then became director of space systems and command , control and communications , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Research , Development and Acquisition , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . General Randolph returned again to Los Angeles Air Force Station as vice commander and deputy commander for space systems acquisition for Space Division in May 1983 . In June 1984 he became vice commander of Air Force Systems Command . He returned to Air Force headquarters in May 1985 and served as deputy chief of staff for research , development and acquisition . He assumed his final command in July 1987 and retired March 31 , 1990 . Awards . General Randolph ' s military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Bronze Star , Meritorious Service Medal , Air Force Commendation Medal and Presidential Unit Citation . He was promoted to general August 1 , 1987 , with same date of rank .