Brigadier General Billy A. Barrett is director of maintenance and supply, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics and Engineering, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
General Barrett was born in Champaign, Ill., in 1940, where he graduated from Champaign Senior High School in 1958. He received a bachelor of science degree in agricultural industries from Southern Illinois University in 1962 and a master of arts degree in business from Central Michigan University in 1976. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1971, Armed Forces Staff College in 1977, Air War College in 1978 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1983.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force through Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in May 1963. He then entered the aircraft maintenance officers course and, upon graduation in December 1963, was assigned to the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, George Air Force Base, Calif. In July 1966 he became the assistant to the chief of maintenance, 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Upon returning to the United States in July 1967, he was released from active duty and worked as a systems analyst with Boeing Airplane Co.
In May 1968 General Barrett returned to active duty as officer in charge of traffic control, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Wash. He later served as aircraft maintenance staff officer with the 62nd Field Maintenance Squadron, also at McChord. In March 1970 he was assigned to Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., as a maintenance management systems officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Materiel. From April 1972 to August 1976 he was assigned to Air Force headquarters, where he served as an aircraft maintenance staff officer and later as executive officer for the director of maintenance, engineering and supply in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Systems and Logistics.
The general graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in August 1977 and was assigned as commander of the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 56th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He then served with the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, as commander of the 86th Aircraft Generation Squadron. After a year he became assistant to the deputy commander for maintenance with the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing and later served as deputy commander for maintenance.
After completing the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in September 1983, General Barrett became chief of the Aircraft Division, San Antonio Air Logistics Center, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. In April 1985 the general was assigned to Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan Air Force Base, Calif., as director of maintenance. He assumed his present duties in October 1987.
The general's military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars.
He assumed the rank of brigadier general Oct. 19, 1987.
(Current as of December 1987)