James P . Mullins James P . Mullins ( born September 12 , 1928 ) is a retired United States Air Force four - star general who served as Commander , Air Force Logistics Command ( COMAFLC ) from 1981 to 1984 . Military career . Mullins was born in 1928 , in Jersey City , New Jersey . He enlisted in the U . S . Army Air Forces in 1946 . Mullins entered pilot training as an aviation cadet in 1948 and graduated in 1949 with a commission as a second lieutenant . He was assigned to the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron at Davis - Monthan Air Force Base , Arizona , where he flew KB - 29M ' s , the Strategic Air Command ' s first aerial tanker . During the Korean War , Mullins participated in combat evaluation of in - flight refueling systems for fighter aircraft while assigned to the Far East Air Forces Bomber Command at Yokota Air Base , Japan . In January 1953 , he returned to the United States and was assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Squadron , initially at Davis - Monthan Air Force Base , and later moving with the unit to Mountain Home Air Force Base , Idaho . In July 1954 , Mullins entered aircraft observer / bombardier training at James Connally Air Force Base , Texas , in preparation for an assignment in January 1955 to the 96th Bombardment Wing at Altus Air Force Base , Oklahoma , as a B - 47 aircraft commander . He moved with the wing in 1957 to Dyess Air Force Base , Texas , and served as a B - 47 aircraft commander and an air training officer until September 1961 . He was then assigned to SAC headquarters , Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska , as the B / RS - 70 requirements officer in the Requirements Division , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Operations . He received a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from the University of Omaha in 1964 , attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base , Alabama from August 1966 to July 1967 , and then completed RF - 4C combat crew training . He also earned a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University , Washington D . C . , in 1967 . He transferred to Tan Son Nhut Air Base , Republic of Vietnam , in August 1968 , where he served with the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing on consecutive assignments as detachment commander , tactical squadron commander and assistant deputy commander for operations . He completed 110 combat missions in RF - 4Cs . Mullins was assigned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . , in August 1969 in the Directorate of Operational Requirements and Development Plans , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Research and Development , where he served as chief of the Aircraft Division . He next attended the advanced management program at Harvard University ' s School of Business Administration in 1972 . In June 1973 , he become vice commander , Ogden Air Materiel Area ( later renamed Air Logistics Center ) , Air Force Logistics Command , Hill Air Force Base , Utah . He was assigned as deputy chief of staff for acquisition logistics , Air Force Logistics Command at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base , in March 1975 . He was reassigned within the command staff as deputy chief of staff for plans and operations in May 1975 . This organization was renamed Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs in August 1975 . He then returned to Hill Air Force Base as commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center in August 1977 . In November 1978 , Mullins took command of 15th Air Force at March Air Force Base , California . He assumed command of Air Force Logistics Command in July 1981 . Mullins retired from the Air Force on November 1 , 1984 . Mullins was a command pilot with more than 6 , 000 flying hours . His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross , Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster , and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with " V " device and one oak leaf cluster .