Jimmie V . Adams Jimmie Vick Adams ( born May 1 , 1936 ) is a retired United States Air Force four - star general who served as Commander in Chief , Pacific Air Forces ( CINCPACAF ) , from 1991 to 1993 . Education and Personal Life . Adams was born in Prichard , Alabama in 1936 . He earned a bachelor ' s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in 1957 and a master ' s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas in 1963 . Adams completed Squadron Officer School in 1964 , Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1978 and the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course in 1987 . He is a member of Theta Chi Fraternity . Military career . He was commissioned in the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and entered active duty in January 1958 . Upon completion of pilot training at Webb Air Force Base , Texas , Adams flew with the 437th Fighter Interceptor Squadron , Oxnard Air Force Base , California , until January 1962 . After receiving his master ' s degree , he was assigned as an engineer and test pilot with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base , New Mexico , from August 1963 to May 1966 . He then served as an F - 4 aircraft commander , fighter weapons instructor and flight commander with the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron , Royal Air Force Station Woodbridge , England . In August 1969 he was assigned as an F - 4 aircraft commander to the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron and , later , as chief , tactics officer , for the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing , Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand . From August 1970 to June 1973 he was a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps staff at Auburn University . He then transferred to Headquarters Tactical Air Command , Langley Air Force Base , Virginia , as a requirements officer . He was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base , North Carolina in June 1975 as commander of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron , and then as special assistant to the deputy commander for operations with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing , also at Seymour Johnson . After graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in July 1978 , Adams served as deputy chief , then as chief , of the Tactical Requirements Division , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . In November 1979 he returned to TAC headquarters as assistant deputy chief of staff for requirements and remained there until assuming command of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing , England Air Force Base , Louisiana in March 1981 . Adams was assigned as deputy director for operations and training , plans and operations , Air Force headquarters , from April 1983 until February 1984 . He then became special assistant for tactical modernization , research , development and acquisition . He was assigned as deputy chief of staff , requirements , TAC headquarters , in August 1985 , and assumed command of the 1st Air Force at Langley in July 1987 . In July 1988 he was assigned as TAC vice commander and vice commander in chief , U . S . Air Forces Atlantic . He became deputy chief of staff , plans and operations , Air Force headquarters , in March 1989 . He assumed command of Pacific Air Forces in February 1991 and retired from the Air Force on February 1 , 1993 . Adams was a command pilot with more than 3 , 800 flying hours , including 141 combat missions . He has flown numerous fighter aircraft , including the A - 10 Thunderbolt II , F - 4 Phantom II , F - 15 Eagle , F - 86 Sabre , F - 89 Scorpion , F - 100 Super Sabre , F - 101 Voodoo and F - 104 Starfighter . His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit , Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters , Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters , Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters , and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster . Post military career . After retiring from the military , Adams became Senior Vice President , Washington Operations of L - 3 Communications . He also sits on the board of directors of the National Defense Industrial Association .