Lynwood E . Clark Lynwood Edgerton Clark ( born March 1 , 1929 ) was an American Air Force lieutenant general who commander , Alaskan Air Command , with additional duty as commander , Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Region , Elmendorf Air Force Base , Alaska . The mission of the Alaskan Air Command is to provide top cover for America and air support in the defense of Alaska . Biography . Clark was born in Delhi , New York , where he graduated from Delaware Academy . He studied general engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , and he is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College , Norfolk , Virginia . He began his military career as an aviation cadet in November 1949 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in December 1950 . From April 1951 to December 1952 , during the Korean War , he was assigned as a jet fighter pilot with the Far East Air Forces in South Korea . He flew 141 combat missions in F - 80s , F - 84s and F - 86s . Clark then served as a fighter gunnery instructor at Tyndall Air Force Base , Florida , and Williams Air Force Base , Arizona . In February 1954 he went to Nellis Air Force Base , Nev . , and served in various flying and staff assignments at wing level . Clark transferred to the 7272nd Aircraft Gunnery Group at Wheelus Air Base , Libya , in November 1957 . In August 1959 he become chief of standardization and evaluation for the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Toul - Rosieres Air Base , France , and later moved with the wing to Hahn Air Base , Germany . Following graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College in June 1961 , he was assigned as an operations staff officer at Tactical Air Command headquarters , Langley Air Force Base , Virginia . He went to Eglin Air Force Base , Florida , in August 1964 as a fighter requirements staff officer at the U . S . Air Force Tactical Air Warfare Center . From January 1966 to January 1967 , Clark served in the Republic of Vietnam as a staff adviser to the Vietnamese air force director of operations . During that time he flew 51 combat missions and accumulated more than 100 flying hours in A - 1s and 0 - 1s . Upon his return to the United States , he was assigned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . , as an operations officer and later became chief , Operations Review Group , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Plans and Operations . In September 1970 he become director of operations for the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing , at Cannon Air Force Base , New Mexico . He transferred to Mountain Home Air Force Base , Idaho , in May 1971 , as vice commander of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing until December when he was named commander . When the 347th was redesignated the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing in October 1972 , Clark continued his duties as commander . While under his command , the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing received the Best in Air Force Award for its fuel branch , and was runner - up for the Air Force Maintenance Award . He became commander of the 327th Air Division at Taipei Air Station , Taiwan , in May 1973 . In July 1975 he assumed command of both the 313th Air Division and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena Air Base , Okinawa . He served as deputy chief of staff for logistics at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces , Hickam Air Force Base , Hawaii , from June 1976 until his assignment to the San Antonio Air Logistics Center , Kelly Air Force Base , Texas , as commander in July 1977 . He assumed his present command in March 1981 . Clark is a command pilot . His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster , Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster , Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal , Army Commendation Medal and Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Honor Medal , 1st Class . He was promoted to lieutenant general May 1 , 1981 , with same date of rank . He retired September 1 , 1983 .