Jack I . Gregory Jack Irvin Gregory ( born July 2 , 1931 ) is a former General in the United States Air Force and the former commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces . Biography . Early life . General Gregory was born in Somerset , Kentucky , in 1931 , where he graduated from Somerset High School in 1949 . In 1952 , he earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Kentucky . After college , he convinced his high school sweetheart to marry him , something which he later said was his proudest achievement . He began his military career in June 1953 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program . Gregory entered primary pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base , Mississippi , and received his wings in July 1954 at Greenville Air Force Base , Mississippi . His first operational assignment began in December 1954 , when he was assigned to the Far East air forces , flying F - 86 Sabre s at Suwon Air Base , South Korea , and Misawa Air Base , Japan . Returning to the United States in December 1957 , he instructed in F - 86s at Perrin Air Force Base , Texas , until August 1963 . After graduation from Air Command and Staff College and a receiving a master ' s degree in public administration from 1964 from The George Washington University , he was assigned to the 337th Fighter Group , Portland International Airport , Oregon , flying F - 102 Delta Dagger s . The following year , Gregory was stationed at Davis - Monthan Air Force Base , Arizona , flying F - 4C Phantom II ' s with the 4454th Combat Crew Training Squadron . In May 1966 he was assigned to the 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron , Bitburg Air Base , West Germany , as an F - 4D Phantom II flight commander . In August 1968 he became operations officer of the 23d Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bitburg and remained in that position when the squadron moved to Spangdahlem Air Base , West Germany . In September 1969 Gregory transferred to the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron , Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand , where he served first as operations officer , and then became commander of the F - 4D Phantom II combat unit . During this tour of duty , he completed more than 250 combat missions . From November 1970 to August 1973 he was assigned to Headquarters United States Air Force , Washington D . C . , working international political military affairs for Southeast Asia , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations . After graduation from the Air War College in June 1974 , Gregory was assigned as deputy commander for operations of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing , Homestead Air Force Base , Florida , flying F - 4E Phantom II ' s . Later career . In July 1975 , he became vice commander of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing at Moody Air Force Base , Georgia , and was named wing commander in August 1976 . During this period Gregory led the conversion of that Air Training Command base to a Tactical Air Command asset . Three new F - 4E Phantom II tactical fighter squadrons were activated and brought to combat - ready status . In October 1978 , he was assigned to command what is now the 831st Air Division at George Air Force Base , California , where he was responsible for the Wild Weasel air suppression defense flying F - 4C Phantom II s , F - 4Es , F - 105G Thunderchief s and F - 4Gs . He became assistant deputy chief of staff for operations at Tactical Air Command headquarters , Langley Air Force Base , Virginia , in March 1980 and also served as director of operations for the Air Force Forces of the Rapid Deployment Force . In June 1981 Gregory transferred to Nellis Air Force Base , Nevada , as commander of the United States Air Force Tactical Fighter Weapons Center . While there , he converted the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Team , the Thunderbirds , to the F - 16A / B Fighting Falcon s . He also was responsible for the United States Air Force Fighter Weapons School , the Aggressors , Red Flag exercises , fighter testing and tactics development programs , and the operations of A - 10 Warthog s , F - 15 Eagle s , F - 16 Fighting Falcon s , F - 4 Phantom II s , F - 111 Aardvark s , F - 5 Freedom Fighter s , A - 7 Corsair II s and T - 38 Talon s . Gregory became commander of the 12th Air Force at Bergstrom Air Force Base , Texas , in June 1983 . In that position he was responsible for 13 tactical wings made up of 50 , 000 personnel and 1 , 100 aircraft , including F - 4E / G Phantom II s , F - 15A / B Eagle s , F - 16A / B / C / D Fighting Falcon s , F - 5B / D / E Freedom Fighter s , RF - 4C Phantom II s , A - 10 Warthog s , F - 111A / D Aardvark s , EF - 111 Raven s , T - 38 Talon s , OA - 37 Dragonfly s and OV - 10 Bronco s . He also held advisory , evaluation and inspection responsibilities for Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Tactical Air Command - gained units , which included an additional 25 , 000 personnel and 550 aircraft . In June 1985 , he was assigned as the deputy commander , United States Forces Korea , with headquarters in Seoul . He concurrently held the position of deputy commander , United Nations Command ; chief of staff of the Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command ; commander of the Republic of Korea and United States Air Component Command ; and senior United States representative to the committee for the Status of Forces Agreement . In a realignment in September 1986 , he assumed command of the newly activated 7th Air Force at Osan Air Base , Republic of Korea , while also serving as deputy commander , United States Forces Korea ; deputy commander in chief , United Nations Command ; commander of Air Component Command ; and commander of United States Air Forces Korea . He assumed his final command as the commander of the Pacific Air Forces in December 1986 . He was promoted to general January 1 , 1987 , with same date of rank . He retired on August 1 , 1988 . He received the Order of the Sword on June 21 , 1988 . His son is the Chief of Staff , Air Force Flight Test Center , Air Force Materiel Command , Edwards Air Force Base , California . Awards . Awards earned during his career :