Major General Jack W. Sheppard is assistant deputy chief of staff, programs and resources, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
General Sheppard was born in 1931, in Parkersburg, W.Va., and graduated from Akron (Ohio) East High School in 1949. He received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Akron in 1955 and a master's degree in public administration from The George Washington University in 1965. His service schools include Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
He was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and entered active duty in March 1955. General Sheppard then completed primary pilot training at Malden Air Force Base, Mo., basic pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, and advanced multiengine training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Between July 1956 and January 1961 the general was stationed at McClellan Air Force Base, Calif., and flew more than 4,000 hours in RC-121s. In 1960 he completed Squadron Officer School and returned to the school as an instructor in April 1961. General Sheppard completed Air Command and Staff College in 1965.
He received training in AC-47 gunships in August 1965 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Two months later he reported to the 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, flying 302 combat missions in AC-47s with that unit and later with the 4th Air Commando Squadron.
The general was assigned to the 5th Allied Tactical Air Force in Vicenza, Italy, from October 1966 to June 1970. He then transferred to Headquarters Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., as chief of presentations. He became commander of the 76th Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., in July 1973. While there, he was named the 437th Military Airlift Wing's assistant deputy commander for operations in September 1974 and later became the wing's deputy commander for operations.
In June 1976 General Sheppard transferred to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., as 22nd Air Force's assistant deputy for operations, becoming vice commander of the 60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis in June 1977. He took command of the 1606th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., in February 1979, and in July 1981 he became director, international staff, Inter-American Defense Board, Washington, D.C. General Sheppard was named Military Airlift Command's deputy chief of staff for personnel in July 1982 and in December 1983 he became the command's chief of staff. In August 1985 he was assigned as commander of 21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. He assumed his present duties in June 1987.
The general is a command pilot with 7,000 flying hours in both single- and multi-engine aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
He was promoted to major general Feb. 16, 1985, with date of rank March 1, 1981.
(Current as of March 2021)