MAJOR GENERAL PAUL E. LANDERS JR.

Major General Paul E. Landers Jr. is deputy chief of staff, operations and transportation, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. In this capacity, he is responsible for worldwide air operations and transportation functions assigned to the Military Airlift Command, to include cargo and passenger movement, command and control, training and standardization programs.

General Landers was born in 1939, near Seminole, Okla. He graduated from Hobbs (N.M.) High School in 1957 and attended the University of New Mexico. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1962 and a master of public administration degree from Auburn University in 1974. The general was a distinguished graduate of Squadron Officer School in 1966, and Air Command and Staff College in 1974. He completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1979, and the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, in 1989.

Upon graduation from the academy in 1962, the general was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He completed pilot training as a distinguished graduate in August 1963 at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and remained there as a T-37 instructor and flight examiner. After F-1 00 training and air-ground operation training in May 1967, he was assigned as a forward air controller with the U.S. Army's 9th Infantry Division, South Vietnam, where he flew 375 combat missions in 0-1s.

In July 1968 he was assigned as an exchange instructor with the 2nd Flying Training School, Moose Jaw, Canada. He returned to the United States in August 1970 and served first as a C-141 pilot and, later, as a plans officer with the 438th Military Airlift Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

After graduating from the Air Command and Staff College in July 1974, he was assigned to the Coordinated Actions Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. In June 1976 he became deputy chief, Policy Analysis Group, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

General Landers graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 1979 and returned to the 438th Military Airlift Wing as deputy commander for operations. In 1981 he became deputy chief of staff for operations, 21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base. He served as vice commander of the 437th Military Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., from June 1982 until July 1983, when he assumed command of the wing. During the military operation in Grenada, the general was responsible for the reception and onward movement of the 688 civilians evacuated to the United States, as well as for providing airlift in support of U.S. forces. He flew two missions to Grenada during the operation. In July 1985 he was assigned as commandant of Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He was assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, in June 1986.

In June 1988 General Landers became director of manpower and organization, Air Force headquarters. In July 1990 he was assigned as commander of the Military Airlift Command's 21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base, where, during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he was responsible for command, control and support of airlift operations to the Persian Gulf. In July 1991 he began his duties as deputy chief of staff, operations and transportation, Military Airlift Command headquarters. He assumed his current position in June 1992.

The general is a command pilot with more than 5,600 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 15 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with two silver stars. He received the basic parachutist rating and was an honor graduate of the Basic Airborne School, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. While commander of the 437th Military Airlift Wing, he was awarded the Order of the Sword, the highest honor bestowed by the enlisted force.

He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1989, with same date of rank.

(Current as of June 1992)