Brigadier General Charles C. Barnhill Jr. is director of transportation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
General Barnhill was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1938, and attended Clinton (N.Y.) Central High School and Gainesville (Ga.) High School. The general earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, in 1970 and a master of science degree from Central Michigan University in 1975. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1969, Air Command and Staff College in 1974, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1976 and the National War College in 1979.
He enlisted in the Air Force in October 1961 and achieved the rank of airman third class. Upon completion of basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, General Barnhill entered the Aviation Cadet Program at James T. Connally Air Force Base, Texas. In November 1962 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and received navigator wings.
He then was assigned to navigator bombardier training at Mather Air Force Base, Calif., where he trained in T-29s. From September 1963 to March 1969 General Barnhill was assigned to the 1608th Military Air Transport Wing and the 437th Military Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. He served successively as a C-130E and C-141A instructor and flight examiner navigator; chief, Base Navigation School; and navigation services officer and plans officer, Combat Plans and Exercises Division.
In May 1971 the general was assigned to South Vietnam with the 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, and in January 1972 transferred with the 362nd TEWS to Da Nang Air Base. While there he served as a flight examiner navigator in the EC47 aircraft and as squadron operations controller.
Returning to the United States in June 1972, General Barnhill was assigned to the 438th Military Airlift Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., where he served successively as C-141A instructor navigator; chief, Airlift Management Branch; and chief, Current Operations Division.
After completing National War College in July 1979, the general was assigned as air operations officer, Policy and Management Division, Directorate of International Programs, Air Force headquarters. He then served as international political military affairs officer and later became chief of the Plans and Policy Division, Directorate of International Programs.
In November 1981 General Barnhill was assigned to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., as assistant deputy commander for operations, 62nd Military Airlift Wing. He then served as deputy commander for operations from August 1983 to June 1985. The general transferred to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., as vice commander of the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing until March 1986, when he took commend of the wing. In May 1988 he became deputy chief of staff for personnel, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. In July 1989 he became commander of the U.S. Forces Azores, and 1605th Military Airlift Support Wing. He assumed his present position in July 1991.
The general is a master navigator with more than 7,500 flying hours and 184 combat missions. He has flown the T-29, C-141A/B, EC-47 and C-130E. His military awards and decorations include the Order of the Bayonet, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.
He was promoted to brigadier general Sept. 1, 1989, with same date of rank.
(Current as of July 2017)