MAJOR GENERAL PETER W. ODGERS

Major General Peter W. Odgers is deputy commander for B-1B, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

General Odgers was born in 1932, in East Orange, N.J., and graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy, Pine Beach, N.J., in 1950. He received a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., in 1955 and a master's degree in systems management from Southern Methodist University in 1967. The general is also a 1960 graduate of Squadron Officer School and a 1974 graduate of the Air War College, both at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Upon receiving his commission in the U.S. Air Force from the Naval Academy, he attended pilot training and received his wings in August 1956. During his first assignment as a pilot, General Odgers flew worldwide cargo missions for the 20th Air Transport Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del., of the Military Air Transport Service (now the Military Airlift Command).

He went to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in January 1958 as aide to the commander of the Air Technical Intelligence Center. He then worked as assistant chief and later chief of Flight Services Branch, in developing high altitude reconnaissance sensors. Following completion of the Air Force Experimental Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in 1961, General Odgers spent five years flight testing reconnaissance aircraft; first at Ling Temco Vought, Greenville, Texas, and then at General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Texas.

From August 1967 to September 1968, he served at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew RB-57s. Returning to the United States, he was again assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he spent two years in the Directorate of Flight Test, Aeronautical Systems Division, as a bomber operations officer. In April 1970 he became chief, Test and Deployment Division, A-X System Program Office (now the A-10 Close Air Support System Program Office). He remained with the A-X program through the prototype phase, later becoming chief of projects and finally deputy director.

After graduation from the Air War College in June 1974, he returned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as chief of projects and later as deputy director for the F-15 System Program Office. From June 1977 to June 1979, he commanded the 4950th Test Wing, also at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He then became deputy chief of staff for test and evaluation, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The general became commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in September 1982. He assumed his present duties in July 1985.

A command pilot with more than 7,700 flying hours, General Odgers military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1982, with date of rank May 1, 1979.

(Current as of September 1985)