Robert L. Rutherford
Encyclopedia
Robert Lynn Rutherford (born December 11, 1938) is a former General
in the United States Air Force
and the former commander of the United States Transportation Command
.
in Texas
. During this time, he instructed students in the T-38 Talon
. In 1964, he graduated from the Squadron Officer School
at Maxwell Air Force Base
. From October 1966-April 1967, Robert was a F-4 Phantom pilot with the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, at George Air Force Base
in California
. From April to July 1967, he was an F-4 aircraft commander with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base
in Florida
. From July 1967-May 1968, he was a Phantom commander with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
, Thailand
. During this time, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he flew 161 combat missions, including 101 over North Vietnam
.
in Texas
. In from January 1971-July 1971, he earned a degree from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia
. Between July 1971 and May 1972, he was the staff officer, Colonels Group, directorate of personnel, at the Headquarters of the United States Air Force
, Washington, D.C.
. During the period between June 1972 and May 1973, he was the chief, critical skill management division, Colonels Group, Directorate of Personnel, Headquarters of the United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. From May 1973 to February 1975, he acted as the chief, Regular General Officer Assignment Division, Directorate of Personnel, Air Force Headquarters. Between February and September 1975, he was a T-38 instructor pilot and commander of the 71st Flying Training Squadron
, Moody Air Force Base
, Georgia
. From September 1975 to July 1978, Robert served as the deputy commander for operations, 38th Flying Training Wing; assistant deputy commander for operations, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing; commander, 339th Tactical Fighter Squadron; commander, 347th Combat Support Group at Moody. Between August 1978 to July 1979, he attended the Air War College
at Maxwell. In 1979, he earned a master's degree in business administration at Auburn University
.
, South Korea
. Robert then served as the vice commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing; commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Group; commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena Air Base
, Japan
between June 1980 and August 1982. For the next year, beginning in September 1982, Robert served as vice commander, Air Force Military Personnel Center, and assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel at Randolph Air Force Base
, Texas
. Between September 1983 and January 1985, he was the commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, and deputy chief of staff for recruiting, Headquarters Air Training Command
at Randolph. Between January 1985 and March 1987, he was the deputy director of programs and evaluation, director of manpower and organization, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Resources, at Air Force headquarters. In 1986, he graduated from the National and International Security Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
.
From March 1987 to April 1988 he served as the deputy chief of staff for operations, and deputy director of operations for the European Air Combat Operations Staff, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe
, Ramstein Air Base
, West Germany
. During the time period from April 1988 to October 1989, he was the commander of the 17th Air Force, Allied Sector Three, and Allied Tactical Operations Center, at Sembach Air Base, West Germany. From October 1989 to May 1991 Robert was the deputy chief of staff for programs and resources, deputy chief of staff for productivity and programs, at the Headquarters of the United States Air Force.
at Scott Air Force Base
in Illinois
. From May 1992 to October 1994, he was the vice commander, then commander of the Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii
. From October 1994-August 1, 1996, he was the commander in chief for the United States Transportation Command
and commander of Air Mobility Command
at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In 1996, he retired with the rank of four star general.
Over his career, he has flown over 4,000 flying hours in various airlift, tanker, fighter and trainer aircraft.
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
in the United States Air Force
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...
and the former commander of the United States Transportation Command
United States Transportation Command
The United States Transportation Command is one of nine unified commands of the United States Department of Defense. The mission of USTRANSCOM is to provide air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense, both in time of peace and time of war.USTRANSCOM, located at Scott Air Force...
.
Early career
Robert entered the Air Force in 1961 as a distinguished graduate of Southwest Texas State University's Reserve Officer Training Corps program. While in college, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. After this, he was a student in undergraduate pilot training, then flight instructor at Reese Air Force BaseReese Air Force Base
Reese Air Force Base was a base of the United States Air Force located 6 mi west of Lubbock, Texas, about 225 mi WNW of Fort Worth...
in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. During this time, he instructed students in the T-38 Talon
T-38 Talon
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
. In 1964, he graduated from the 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...
at Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
. From October 1966-April 1967, Robert was a F-4 Phantom pilot with the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, at George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located within city limits, 8 miles northwest of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The facility was closed by the Base Realignment and Closure 1992 commission at the end of the Cold...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. From April to July 1967, he was an F-4 aircraft commander with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. From July 1967-May 1968, he was a Phantom commander with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron at 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
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. During this time, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he flew 161 combat missions, including 101 over North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
.
Post-Vietnam
From May 1968-January 1971 he was the operations staff officer, Airspace and Air Traffic Control Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Air Training Command, at Randolph Air Force BaseRandolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In from January 1971-July 1971, he earned a degree from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
. Between July 1971 and May 1972, he was the staff officer, Colonels Group, directorate of personnel, at the Headquarters of the United States Air Force
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...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. During the period between June 1972 and May 1973, he was the chief, critical skill management division, Colonels Group, Directorate of Personnel, Headquarters of the United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. From May 1973 to February 1975, he acted as the chief, Regular General Officer Assignment Division, Directorate of Personnel, Air Force Headquarters. Between February and September 1975, he was a T-38 instructor pilot and commander of the 71st Flying Training Squadron
71st Flying Training Squadron
The 71st Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 485th Tactical Missile Wing, based at Florennes Air Base, Belgium. It was inactivated on 30 September 1989.-History:...
, Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Lowndes County and Lanier County, about northeast of Valdosta, Georgia, United States.Moody Air Force Base is home to the 23d Wing...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. From September 1975 to July 1978, Robert served as the deputy commander for operations, 38th Flying Training Wing; assistant deputy commander for operations, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing; commander, 339th Tactical Fighter Squadron; commander, 347th Combat Support Group at Moody. Between August 1978 to July 1979, he attended the Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
at Maxwell. In 1979, he earned a master's degree in business administration at 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...
.
1980s
From July 1979 to June 1980, he served as the deputy colonel for operations, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air BaseKunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base , is a United States Air Force base located on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is at the town of Gunsan about 150 miles south of Seoul. The town can be romanized as both Gunsan and Kunsan...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Robert then served as the vice commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing; commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Group; commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena Air Base
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
between June 1980 and August 1982. For the next year, beginning in September 1982, Robert served as vice commander, Air Force Military Personnel Center, and assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel at Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Between September 1983 and January 1985, he was the commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, and deputy chief of staff for recruiting, Headquarters Air Training Command
Air Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
at Randolph. Between January 1985 and March 1987, he was the deputy director of programs and evaluation, director of manpower and organization, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Resources, at Air Force headquarters. In 1986, he graduated from the National and International Security Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
.
From March 1987 to April 1988 he served as the deputy chief of staff for operations, and deputy director of operations for the European Air Combat Operations Staff, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. It serves as headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
. During the time period from April 1988 to October 1989, he was the commander of the 17th Air Force, Allied Sector Three, and Allied Tactical Operations Center, at Sembach Air Base, West Germany. From October 1989 to May 1991 Robert was the deputy chief of staff for programs and resources, deputy chief of staff for productivity and programs, at the Headquarters of the United States Air Force.
Post-Cold War
Between May 1991 and May 1992, he was the vice commander of the Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
at Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. From May 1992 to October 1994, he was the vice commander, then commander of the Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. From October 1994-August 1, 1996, he was the commander in chief for the United States Transportation Command
United States Transportation Command
The United States Transportation Command is one of nine unified commands of the United States Department of Defense. The mission of USTRANSCOM is to provide air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense, both in time of peace and time of war.USTRANSCOM, located at Scott Air Force...
and commander of Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In 1996, he retired with the rank of four star general.
Over his career, he has flown over 4,000 flying hours in various airlift, tanker, fighter and trainer aircraft.
Awards
Awards earned during his career:- Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
- 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...
with oak leaf cluster - 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 two 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 two 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 11 oak leaf clusters - Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with two service stars - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Promotion dates
Dates of promotion:- Second Lieutenant May 28, 1961
- First Lieutenant January 16, 1963
- Captain January 16, 1966
- Major July 1, 1969
- Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 1973
- Colonel March 1, 1978
- Brigadier General June 1, 1983
- Major General August 1, 1986
- Lieutenant General October 1, 1989
- General February 1, 1993