MAJOR GENERAL CORNELIUS NUGTEREN Major General Cornelius Nugteren is commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The center is one of the U.S. Air Force's five air logistics centers and is the state of Georgia's largest industrial complex. He is responsible for worldwide support of most transport aircraft, F-15 air superiority fighters, helicopters, air-to-air missiles, surface motor vehicles and high-technology airborne electronics. General Nugteren was born in 1928, in Colton, S.D., and completed high school in Marion, S.D. He received a bachelor of arts degree in education from Central College, Pella, Iowa, in 1951. He enlisted in the Air Force in January 1952 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in March 1953 through the aviation cadet program. The general was awarded his pilot wings after completing advanced flying training at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz. In September 1953 he was assigned to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, where he flew F-86s and F-100s. General Nugteren returned to the United States in December 1956 and served with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., as wing quality control officer. While there he flew F- 86H's and F-100s. In June 1958 he transferred to the Air Force Academy as a flight test and maintenance officer. In August 1960 the general was assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany, as organization maintenance officer and as chief of field maintenance. In August 1964 he returned to the United States and was assigned to Headquarters 12th Air Force at Waco, Texas, as a special project officer with the F-105 program. In May 1966 he transferred to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., as a C-141 pilot and flight test officer with the 62nd Military Airlift Wing. From March 1968 to October 1970 General Nugteren was assigned to Headquarters Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he served as an aircraft maintenance inspector and then as chief of the Materiel Branch, Inspection Division, Office of the Inspector General. He then joined the U.S. Air Force Advisory Group in the Republic of Vietnam as senior aircraft maintenance and materiel adviser. The general became deputy commander of maintenance for the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn Air Base, West Germany, in November 1971. In February 1974 he became wing commander of the 322nd Tactical Airlift Wing, Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. In August 1975 General Nugteren transferred to Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, as commander of the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing and served as the Air Force's first Kaiserslautern Area Community commander. In July 1977 he become vice commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. During this assignment he was awarded the Missile Badge and also received the Air Force award for commander action in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. Returning to Scott Air Force Base in September 1979, General Nugteren took command of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service. In this capacity he was responsible for worldwide search and rescue missions, the National Rescue Coordination Center, worldwide weather reconnaissance and Strategic Air Command missile site support. In September 1981 the general was assigned as chief of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group in Greece. While there he served as the representative of the secretary of defense and the commander in chief, U.S. European Command, in the discharge of his assigned security assistance responsibilities. He also served as contact officer in Greece for the commander in chief, U.S. European Command, as the senior U.S. military representative in Greece and as a member of the U.S. Country Team. He assumed his present command in September 1982. The general is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with seven oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal Honor Class, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. General Nugteren was inducted into the Air Force Logistics Command Order of the Sword by the enlisted men and women of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in May 1985. In September 1986 he was presented the Air Force Association Ira Eaker Fellow award. He was promoted to major general March 1, 1980, with date of rank July 1, 1976. (Current as of January 1987)