Lloyd R . Leavitt , Jr . Lloyd Richardson Leavitt , Jr . ( born November 18 , 1928 ) was an American Air Force lieutenant general who was vice commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command , Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska . As vice commander in chief , he fulfilled the responsibilities of the SAC commander in chief in his absence . He is also the commander ' s principal adviser in the formulation of SAC policies , plans and directives . Biography . Leavitt was born in 1928 , in Alpena , Michigan , and graduated from Alpena High School in 1946 . He was appointed to the U . S . Military Academy at West Point , New York , and graduated in 1950 with a commission as a second lieutenant and a bachelor of science degree in engineering . He received a master ' s degree in public administration from The George Washington University , Washington , D . C . , in 1964 ; graduated from Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base , Alabama , in 1956 ; and the National War College , Fort Lesley J . McNair , Washington , D . C . , in 1967 . After graduation from the academy , he attended flying training school at Williams Air Force Base , Arizona , and was awarded pilot wings in 1951 . During the Korean War Leavitt served in South Korea as a pilot and flight commander with the 58th Fighter - Bomber Wing . He flew 100 combat missions in F - 84s . Leavitt was assigned to Headquarters Far East Air Forces , Fuchu Air Station , Japan , in the Directorate of Requirements from August 1952 to November 1953 . He then returned to the United States and served as a flight commander in the 508th Strategic Fighter Wing at Turner Air Force Base , Ga . In 1957 he became a U - 2 pilot and later chief of standardization in the 4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Weather Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base , Texas . He entered B - 52 training in October 1960 and was assigned to the first B - 52H unit — the 524th Bombardment Squadron at Wurtsmith Air Force Base , Mich . In 1962 he transferred to the 379th Bombardment Wing as chief , Training Operations Branch and later was assigned to the 40th Air Division at Wurtsmith Air Force Base as an operations staff officer . From November 1962 to July 1966 , Leavitt was assigned to Headquarters , United States Air Force , Washington , D . C . , in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Plans and Operations , as an operations staff officer working in studies and analysis . Following graduation from the National War College in August 1967 , Leavitt transferred to Germany where he was assistant deputy commander for operations of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base , and later director of readiness inspection for the inspector general , Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe , Lindsey Air Station , Germany . He went to Thailand in April 1970 and served as vice commander , 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base until his appointment in October 1970 as commander , 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base . While in Southeast Asia he flew 152 combat missions , the majority in F - 4s . In April 1971 Leavitt was reassigned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force as deputy director for strike forces in the Directorate of Operations . He assumed duties as deputy director of operations ( regional operations ) in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in July 1972 . Leavitt served as commander of Chanute Technical Training Center , Chanute Air Force Base , Illinois , one of five technical training centers within Air Training Command , from July 1974 until July 1976 . He then was reassigned to Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe , Ramstein Air Base , Germany , as deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence . He was responsible for operational and intelligence matters affecting Air Force units in Europe and the Middle East . In January 1978 he was assigned to SAC headquarters as chief of staff . He assumed his present position in June 1978 . Leavitt is a command pilot with 5 , 000 flying hours . His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters , Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters , Bronze Star Medal , Meritorious Service Medal , Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with two " V " devices and the Republic of Argentina Aviador Militar " Honoris Causa . " He was promoted to lieutenant general August 22 , 1978 , with date of rank Augugust 20 , 1978 . He retired September 1 , 1981 .