Edgar S . Harris , Jr . Edgar Starr Harris Jr . ( born May 14 , 1925 ) is a retired American Air Force lieutenant general whose last assignment was commander of Eighth Air Force , Strategic Air Command , with headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base , Louisiana . During his over 30 years in the United States Air Force , Harris was also Chief of Staff and Vice Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command , where he spent most of his time during his service . Life . Harris was born in Danville , Virginia . He graduated from the U . S . Military Academy , West Point , N . Y . , with a bachelor of science degree in 1946 . In 1961 he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College , Norfolk , Virginia . He received a master ' s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University , Washington , D . C . , in 1964 while attending the Naval War College , Newport , Rhode Island . Harris spent the majority of his 33 - year career in Strategic Air Command . He has served as a staff officer at various command levels and twice as a SAC wing and air division commander . He has had two assignments with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Harris received his pilot wings in 1946 and is a command pilot with more than 7 , 900 flying hours . He has piloted most SAC aircraft from B - 29s to SR - 71s . After multiengine training at Enid , Oklahoma , he was assigned to the Bombardment Wing at Davis - Monthan Field , Ariz . , in October 1946 . He moved with the wing to Savannah , Ga . , in April 1949 . He accumulated crew duty experience in the B - 29 , B - 47 and B - 50 aircraft before moving to a staff position as chief of operations and plans . In October 1955 he transferred to Sidi Slimane , Morocco , as an operations staff officer in the Directorate of Plans . Harris returned to the United States in December 1957 and served in the War Plans Branch , Headquarters SAC , Offutt Air Force Base , Neb . In 1960 he attended the Armed Forces Staff College . He subsequently was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base , N . C . , where he served as a B - 52 operations officer and squadron commander . Harris received a master ' s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University while attending the Naval War College in 1964 . Following graduation he returned to Headquarters SAC as chief of the Management Engineering Branch . In June 1966 he moved to Ellsworth Air Force Base , South Dakota , as vice wing commander and in June 1967 was named wing commander . During 1968 he led the B - 52 / KC - 135 wing on its second tour of duty in Southeast Asia where he flew 43 combat missions . Harris became wing commander at Dyess Air Force Base , Texas , in August 1968 . In February 1970 he was assigned to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Washington , D . C . , as chief , Strategic Operations Division , Directorate of Operations . In September 1971 he transferred to Beale Air Force Base , Calif . , to command the 14th Air Division where he assumed responsibility for B - 52 , KC - 135 , U - 2 and SR - 71 aircraft units . He remained there until June 1973 when he was assigned to March Air Force Base , Calif . , as chief of staff , Fifteenth Air Force . During this time he was also assigned on temporary duty to command the 57th Air Division , Andersen Air Force Base , Guam . Harris served as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations , Headquarters SAC , from February 1974 until May 1975 when he returned to March Air Force Base as vice commander , Fifteenth Air Force . In August 1976 he returned to Headquarters SAC as chief of staff , a position he held until December 1977 , when he was appointed vice commander in chief , SAC . Harris assumed his present duties in June 1978 . He has been awarded the master missileman badge as a result of his experience with Titan and Minuteman missiles . His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal , Presidential Unit Citation emblem with oak leaf cluster , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with three oak leaf clusters and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm . Harris was promoted to lieutenant general February 2 , 1978 , with same date of rank . His hometown is Danville , Virginia .