Joseph K . Spiers Major General Joseph K . Spiers ( born 1937 ) is a retired United States Air Force general . Spiers was born in Tarboro , North Carolina . He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University ( where he was initiated into Phi Kappa Tau fraternity ) and a master of science degree in aerospace engineering through the Air Force Institute of Technology program at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base in 1967 . He completed Squadron Officer School in 1964 , Air Command and Staff College in 1973 , and the Air War College in 1976 . Upon graduation from college in 1959 , he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program . After completing pilot training at Moore Air Force Base , Texas , and Craig Air Force Base , Alabama , he served in the Air Training Command at Craig as an instructor pilot and academic instructor in T - 33s and T - 37s . The general entered the Air Force Institute of Technology program at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio , in September 1965 . Upon graduation in July 1967 with a M . S . in Aerospace Engineering , he transferred to George Air Force Base , California , and upgraded into the F - 4 Phantom . He then served a year with the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam and South Korea , flying 102 combat missions . He returned to the United States in March 1969 and spent the next six years in the Air Force Systems Command at the Air Force Flight Test Center , Edwards Air Force Base , California . Assignments at Edwards included project engineer for F - 4E category II testing ; the U . S . Air Force Test Pilot School ; research test pilot in the A - 7 , F - 4 , F - 15 , F - 104 and U - 2 ; deputy director , F - 15 Joint Test Force ; and maintenance control officer for the Flight Test Center . General Spiers completed Air War College in June 1976 and for the next four years served with the Air Force Logistics Command , Ogden Air Logistics Center , Hill Air Force Base , Utah , as chief of the F - 16 Acquisition Division ( system manager ) . From June 1980 to June 1982 he served as a military staff assistant to the director of defense test and evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense , Undersecretary of Defense for Research Engineering and Acquisition , Washington , D . C . In July 1982 the general returned to Wright - Patterson Air Force Base as deputy for strategic missiles , space , electronic and armament programs , Air Force Acquisition Logistics Division . He became vice commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center in April 1983 and in August 1984 commanded the Logistics Operations Center . In July 1985 he became commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center . He was assigned as deputy chief of staff for logistics , Headquarters Pacific Air Forces , Hickam Air Force Base , Hawaii , in August 1986 . General Spiers returned as commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center in May 1988 . He became the commander of the Oklahoma City Air Material Area in September 1989 and retired from there in retiring from there in July 1 , 1994 . After retirement , he moved back to his family home planning to restore it . The general is a command pilot with more than 3 , 400 flying hours . His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit , Distinguished Flying Cross , Defense Meritorious Service Medal , Meritorious Service Medal , Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster , Air Force Organizational Excellence Award , National Defense Service Medal , Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal , Vietnam Service Medal with five service stars , Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short , Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters , Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon , Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm , and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal . He was promoted to major general July 1 , 1988 , with same date of rank .