Jimmie V. Adams
Encyclopedia
Jimmie Vick Adams is a retired United States Air Force
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), from 1991 to 1993.
in 1936. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University
in 1957 and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas in 1963. He completed Squadron Officer School
in 1964, Industrial College of the Armed Forces
in 1978 and the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course in 1987.
He was commissioned in the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and entered active duty in January 1958. Upon completion of pilot training at Webb Air Force Base
, Texas, Adams flew with the 437th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Oxnard Air Force Base
, California, until January 1962. After receiving his master's degree, he was assigned as an engineer and test pilot with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base
, New Mexico, from August 1963 to May 1966.
He then served as an F-4 aircraft commander, fighter weapons instructor and flight commander with the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Station Woodbridge, England. In August 1969 he was assigned as an F-4 aircraft commander to the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron and, later, as chief, tactics officer, for the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
, Thailand. From August 1970 to June 1973 he was a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps staff at Auburn University. He then transferred to Headquarters Tactical Air Command
, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, as a requirements officer.
He was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
, North Carolina in June 1975 as commander of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and then as special assistant to the deputy commander for operations with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, also at Seymour Johnson. After graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in July 1978, Adams served as deputy chief, then as chief, of the Tactical Requirements Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
In November 1979 he returned to TAC headquarters as assistant deputy chief of staff for requirements and remained there until assuming command of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base
, Louisiana in March 1981. Adams was assigned as deputy director for operations and training, plans and operations, Air Force headquarters, from April 1983 until February 1984. He then became special assistant for tactical modernization, research, development and acquisition. He was assigned as deputy chief of staff, requirements, TAC headquarters, in August 1985, and assumed command of the 1st Air Force at Langley in July 1987. In July 1988 he was assigned as TAC vice commander and vice commander in chief, U.S. Air Forces Atlantic. He became deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, Air Force headquarters, in March 1989. He assumed command of Pacific Air Forces in February 1991 and retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1993.
Adams was a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours, including 141 combat missions. He has flown numerous fighter aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II
, F-4 Phantom II
, F-15 Eagle
, F-86 Sabre
, F-89 Scorpion
, F-100 Super Sabre
, F-101 Voodoo
and F-104 Starfighter
.
His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
, Distinguished Flying Cross
with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal
with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal
with seven oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
. He also sits on the board of directors of the National Defense Industrial Association
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), from 1991 to 1993.
Military career
Adams was born in Prichard, AlabamaPrichard, Alabama
Prichard is a city in Mobile County, Alabama, in the United States.Prichard borders the north side of Mobile, as well as the Mobile suburbs of Chickasaw, Alabama, Saraland, Alabama, and the unincorporated sections of Eight Mile, Alabama. As of 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the...
in 1936. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
in 1957 and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas in 1963. He completed Squadron Officer School
Squadron Officer School
Squadron Officer School , is a five-week long Professional Military Education course for U.S. Air Force Captains. It fulfills the U.S. Air Force's requirement for primary developmental education . SOS is based at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and the in-residence version of the course is taught there...
in 1964, Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
in 1978 and the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course in 1987.
He was commissioned in the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps and entered active duty in January 1958. Upon completion of pilot training at Webb Air Force Base
Webb Air Force Base
Webb Air Force Base , previously named Big Spring Air Force Base, was a United States Air Force facility of the Air Training Command that operated from 1951 to 1977 in west Texas within the current city limits of Big Spring. It was a major training facility, and by 1969 almost 9,000 pilots had...
, Texas, Adams flew with the 437th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Oxnard Air Force Base
Oxnard Air Force Base
Oxnard Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located within current city limits, approximately west of central Camarillo, California...
, California, until January 1962. After receiving his master's degree, he was assigned as an engineer and test pilot with the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland...
, New Mexico, from August 1963 to May 1966.
He then served as an F-4 aircraft commander, fighter weapons instructor and flight commander with the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Station Woodbridge, England. In August 1969 he was assigned as an F-4 aircraft commander to the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron and, later, as chief, tactics officer, for the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility and is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. It is located in East-Central Thailand, near the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Ubon Ratchathani Province. It is approximately 305 miles North-East of Bangkok...
, Thailand. From August 1970 to June 1973 he was a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps staff at Auburn University. He then transferred to Headquarters Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, as a requirements officer.
He was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located to the southeast of Goldsboro, North Carolina. The base is named for Navy test pilot Seymour Johnson, a native of Goldsboro...
, North Carolina in June 1975 as commander of the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and then as special assistant to the deputy commander for operations with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, also at Seymour Johnson. After graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in July 1978, Adams served as deputy chief, then as chief, of the Tactical Requirements Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
In November 1979 he returned to TAC headquarters as assistant deputy chief of staff for requirements and remained there until assuming command of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base
England Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Louisiana, located Northwest of Alexandria and about Northwest of New Orleans....
, Louisiana in March 1981. Adams was assigned as deputy director for operations and training, plans and operations, Air Force headquarters, from April 1983 until February 1984. He then became special assistant for tactical modernization, research, development and acquisition. He was assigned as deputy chief of staff, requirements, TAC headquarters, in August 1985, and assumed command of the 1st Air Force at Langley in July 1987. In July 1988 he was assigned as TAC vice commander and vice commander in chief, U.S. Air Forces Atlantic. He became deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, Air Force headquarters, in March 1989. He assumed command of Pacific Air Forces in February 1991 and retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1993.
Adams was a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours, including 141 combat missions. He has flown numerous fighter aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
, F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, F-15 Eagle
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
, F-89 Scorpion
F-89 Scorpion
The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was an early American jet-powered fighter designed from the outset as an all-weather interceptor. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters with guided missiles, and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air...
, F-100 Super Sabre
F-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
, F-101 Voodoo
F-101 Voodoo
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was a supersonic military jet fighter which served the United States Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force...
and F-104 Starfighter
F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
.
His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with seven oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with tow oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three oak leaf clusters
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Post military career
After retiring from the military, Adams became Senior Vice President, Washington Operations of L-3 CommunicationsL-3 Communications
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. is a company that supplies command and control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and products, avionics, ocean products, training devices and services, instrumentation, space, and navigation products. Its customers include...
. He also sits on the board of directors of the National Defense Industrial Association
National Defense Industrial Association
The National Defense Industrial Association is an association for the United States government and the defense industry. Based in Arlington, Virginia, NDIA was established in 1919 as a result of the inability of the defense industry to scale up the war effort during World War I...
.