Thomas M . Ryan , Jr . Thomas Martin Ryan , Jr . ( born December 10 , 1928 ) is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the commander of Air Training Command ( COMATC ) from 1981 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief of the Military Airlift Command ( CINCMAC ) from 1983 to 1985 . Early life and education . Ryan was born on December 10 , 1928 , in Detroit , Michigan , and graduated from Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood , New Jersey in 1946 . He received a bachelor of science degree in military science from the University of Omaha in 1965 , and a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University , Washington , D . C . , in 1968 . He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk , Virginia , in 1965 and from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base , Alabama , in 1968 . Career . Ryan became an aviation cadet in September 1949 , and after completing pilot training at Reese Air Force Base , Texas , he was commissioned a second lieutenant in October 1950 . He then served in various flying assignments with the Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Air Force Base , Louisiana ; Ramey Air Force Base , Puerto Rico ; and Hunter Air Force Base , Georgia , until July 1953 when he entered observer training school at Ellington and James Connally Air Force bases , Texas . From May 1954 to June 1962 , he was assigned to Forbes Air Force Base , Kansas , as a B - 47 pilot , select crew aircraft commander , instructor pilot and squadron operations officer . In 1958 he become a standardization evaluator in the 90th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing . Ryan transferred to SAC headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska , in June 1962 as a staff officer in the Plans and Organizational Section of the Weapons Management Branch , Weapons Maintenance Division . In February 1965 he entered the Armed Forces Staff College and following graduation in July 1965 he joined the SR - 71 equipped 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base , California , where he served as chief of the Quality Control Division and later as chief of the Maintenance Control Division . In July 1968 he graduated from the Air War College and then attended RF - 4C combat crew training at Shaw Air Force Base , South Carolina . In March 1969 he was assigned to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand , as a maintenance control officer and later as chief of maintenance . During this tour of duty he flew 114 combat missions in RF - 4C ' s . Upon his return to the United States , Ryan served on the staff of the inspector general , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . , from April 1970 to June 1971 . He then transferred to Wurtsmith Air Force Base , Michigan , as vice commander and then commander of the 379th Bombardment Wing . During 1972 and 1973 , he completed a temporary tour of duty as commander , 303rd Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Wing at Andersen Air Force Base , Guam , and participated in the Linebacker II campaign against North Vietnam in December 1972 . He assumed duties as commander of the 47th Air Division with headquarters at Fairchild Air Force Base , Washington , in July 1973 . Ryan was again assigned to SAC headquarters in January 1974 as assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics and in January 1975 become the deputy chief of staff for logistics . He returned to Air Force headquarters in April 1976 as director for logistics plans and programs , and in July 1977 become the deputy chief of staff for systems and logistics . From October 1977 to July 1981 , Ryan served as vice commander in chief of the Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base . He then became commander of Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas . He assumed command of Military Airlift Command in June 1983 . Ryan is a command pilot with more than 8 , 000 flying hours . His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal , Air Force Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit , Distinguished Flying Cross , Bronze Star Medal , Air Medal with six oak leaf cluster s and Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters . Ryan was promoted to general August 1 , 1981 , with date of rank July 31 , 1981 . Later life . Ryan retired from the U . S . Air Force on September 30 , 1985 .