James P . McCarthy James P . McCarthy ( born March 7 , 1935 ) is a former General in the United States Air Force and a former Deputy Commander in Chief of the European Command . Biography . Early life . McCarthy was born in 1935 , in Canton , Ohio , where he graduated from Lincoln High School . The was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1957 after graduating his bachelor of science degree from Kent State University . He completed pilot training at Graham Air Force Base , Florida , and Greenville Air Force Base , Mississippi , and was awarded pilot wings in June 1959 . He then was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Wing , Lockbourne Air Force Base , Ohio , as a B - 47 Stratojet pilot . He completed Squadron Officer School in 1963 . In June 1964 he was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy , Colorado , as an air officer commanding , with responsibility for advising and assisting a squadron of cadets in their training . While at the academy , McCarthy established the cadet soaring program and served as its first officer in charge . In June 1967 he began F - 4 Phantom II fighter training and was assigned as a pilot and operations officer with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron , Yokota Air Base , Japan . During his two years there , his squadron was deployed to Osan Air Base , South Korea , during several international incidents . Later Air Force career . The general transferred to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base , Republic of Vietnam , in May 1970 as chief of the Operations Plans Division . In December 1970 he became commander of the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang . He flew 152 combat missions in the F - 4E Phantom II . McCarthy returned to the United States in June 1971 and was assigned to the Office of the Director of Programs , Headquarters United States Air Force , Washington D . C . . That same year , he graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces . He was responsible for basing Air Force units both overseas and in the United States . He received a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1974 . A year before , in August 1973 , he entered the National War College and , after graduating in August 1974 , became the vice commandant of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy . Part of his responsibilities included directing the academy ' s preparation for the initial admission of women in July 1976 . He transferred to the 97th Bombardment Wing , Blytheville Air Force Base , Arkansas . , in March 1977 as vice commander and became commander in September 1978 . In March 1979 the general was named commander of the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base , California . In May 1980 he returned to Air Force headquarters as special assistant for M - X matters , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research , Development and Acquisition . He was responsible for the M - X program , and directed the program through most of its concept formulation phase . In October 1982 he became the director of legislative liaison , Office of the Secretary of the Air Force , Washington D . C . . In that position he advised the secretary and all principal civilian and military officials of the Department of the Air Force concerning legislative affairs and congressional relations . In July 1984 he transferred to Headquarters Strategic Air Command , Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska , where he served as deputy chief of staff for plans , developing policies , programs and requirements for the command . The general assumed command of 8th Air Force , Barksdale Air Force Base , Louisiana , in January 1987 , and was responsible for SAC operations in the eastern half of the United States , Europe and the Middle East . He was next assigned as deputy chief of staff for programs and resources , Air Force headquarters , in March 1988 , responsible for Air Force programming , manpower and foreign military sales . He assumed his final position as commander of the United States European Command in September 1989 . He was promoted to general Oct . 1 , 1989 , with same date of rank . He retired on November 30 , 1992 . Post - military life . During his retirement , he has written a number of books . He has also become the ARDI Professor of National Security in the political science department at the United States Air Force Academy . He is currently a member of the Defense Science Board . He also has served on the board of directors of EADS North America , ISX , NAVSYS , and been a member of the United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board . Awards . Awards earned during his career :