Major General Christopher S. Adams Jr. is chief of staff, Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
General Adams was born in Shreveport, La., in 1930. He lived in Texas throughout his formative years, graduating from Tomball (Texas) High School in 1948. He received an associate of science degree from Tarleton State College, Stephenville, Texas, in 1950 and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from East Texas State University in 1952.
He received a commission in the U.S. Air Force under the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program and entered active duty in August 1952. The general began basic pilot training at Spence Field, Ga., and earned his wings at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in September 1953. He then went to Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas, for advanced multiengine training.
In January 1954 General Adams was assigned as a B-36 pilot with the 95th Bombardment Wing at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, where he served until April 1959. After B-52 combat crew training at Castle Air Force Base, Calif., he went to Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, as a B-52G pilot with the 72nd Bombardment Wing. From August 1961 to March 1963, he served as a controller and deputy chief, Control Division, in the command post at Ramey.
General Adams attended Minuteman combat crew training at Chanute Air Force Base, Ill., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., from April to August 1963, after which he was assigned to the 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., as a missile combat crew commander. He subsequently served as the wing senior instructor until January 1966.
Following C-141 flight training at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., he flew airlift support for Southeast Asia with the 9th Military Airlift Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
In November 1966 General Adams transferred to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, as chief, operations and training, 388th Combat Support Group until October 1967. During this period he flew more than 1,100 hours in SC-47s, of which 650 hours were in the combat zone. He was assigned in November 1967 to Headquarters Joint Task Force Eight, Sandia Base, N.M., where he served as an action officer for the Operations and Plans Directorate, J-3.
The general joined the Defense Nuclear Agency in Washington, D.C., in November 1970 as assistant chief of staff and executive to the director. In June 1972 he was named director of plans and programs for the agency.
One year later General Adams became deputy commander for operations for the 351st Strategic Missile Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. In December 1973 he transferred to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., as vice commander of the 90th Strategic Missile Wing. He became the commander of the wing in June 1974.
In December 1975 he took command of the 12th Air Division, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., (later the division moved to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas). From July 1978 to May 1979, General Adams was assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff, operations, for SAC. He then became deputy chief of staff for operations plans and deputy director for the Single Integrated Operational Plan of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, also at Offutt Air Force Base. He assumed his present duties in August 1982.
The general is a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours in various aircraft and wears the master missile badge. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1979, with date of rank Dec. 1, 1975.
(Current as of August 1982)