BRIGADIER GENERAL OWEN W. LENTZ

Brigadier General Owen W. Lentz is director of intelligence for North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command, with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

General Lentz was born in 1941, in Hutchinson, Kan. He spent his early years there and near Arnett, Okla., where he graduated from high school. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1963 and a master of arts degree in international affairs from Georgetown University in 1964. He has done post-graduate work toward a doctoral degree in defense policy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The general completed Royal Air Force Staff College in 1974 and Air War College in 1983. He also served on the faculties of the Air Force Academy political science department and the Air War College.

Upon graduation from the academy in June 1963, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. From October 1964 to September 1966 General Lentz served as an intelligence officer with the 544th Strategic Intelligence Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He then was assigned to Headquarters 7th Air Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. Upon returning to the United States in September 1967, he served as an instructor with the department of political science at the academy.

In September 1968 he undertook postgraduate work toward his doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He returned to the Air Force Academy and served as an instructor, and later as assistant professor, from July 1971 to February 1974. After graduating from the Royal Air Force Staff College, England, General Lentz transferred to Headquarters 4th Allied Tactical Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, and served there from January 1975 to August 1976. He then served as an international political military affairs officer at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe, Ramstein, until June 1977.

The general then was assigned as a member of the NATO Nuclear Planning Staff Group at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He later served as executive assistant to the secretary of defense representative in Europe and defense adviser to the United States ambassador to NATO. In June 1980 General Lentz was assigned to Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt, where he served in several intelligence positions.

From August 1981 to August 1982 he was deputy commander for operations, 544th Strategic Intelligence Wing, Offutt. He graduated from Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1983 and remained there as a political military studies officer. General Lentz returned to Offutt in June 1984 and was assigned as vice commander of the 544th Strategic Intelligence Wing. In June 1986 he became deputy assistant chief of staff, Intelligence Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium. He assumed his present position in July 1988.

The general's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. He also wears the Space Badge.

He was promoted to brigadier general Aug. 1, 1988, with same date of rank.

(Current as of March 1991)