MAJOR GENERAL OTTO K. HABEDANK

Major General Otto K. Habedank is commander of the Air Force Security Assistance Center, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright- Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is responsible for managing foreign military sales programs totaling in excess of $20 billion in support of more than 80 foreign countries.

General Habedank was born in Glendive, Mont., and moved to Sidney, Mont., at an early age. He graduated from Sidney High School and attended Montana State College for a year. He earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering science from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1963, and a master of science degree in counseling and guidance from Troy State University in 1975. The general completed Air Command and Staff College in 1975, and Air War College in 1983.

After graduating from the academy, he entered flight training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., and received his pilot wings in February 1965. General Habedank then was assigned to the 310th Air Refueling Squadron, Walker Air Force Base, N.M. In January 1967 he moved to the 906th Air Refueling Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., where he was a KC-135 and EC-135 aircraft commander. In March 1969 he reported to the 7th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and checked out in the RF-4C Phantom.

From October 1969 until October 1970, while assigned to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, he flew the RF-4C, logging 160 combat missions. After completing his tour in South Vietnam, he was transferred to the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Zweibrucken Air Base, West Germany. He served as an RF-4C instructor pilot, flight examiner and flight commander before departing in August 1974 to attend Air Command and Staff College.

In July 1975 he was assigned as an action officer in the Directorate of Operations, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., where he served until September 1979. He then was assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, first as operations officer, then as commander.

General Habedank left Kadena Air Base in August 1982. He attended Air War College until June 1983, when he was assigned as chief, Tactical Systems Division, Air Force Studies and Analysis, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He was vice commander of the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Royal Air Force Station Alconbury, England, from June 1985 until March 1986, when he assumed command. In June 1987 the wing was redesignated as the 10th Tactical Fighter Wing and he served as commander. In March 1988 he became deputy director for operations, plans and programs, Air National Guard, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C. In September 1989 he was assigned as commander of the International Logistics Center and special assistant to the commander for international logistics, Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He assumed his current command in July 1992.

The general is a command pilot with more than 3,700 flying hours, including 450 combat hours in Southeast Asia. He is qualified in the KC-135, RF-4C, A-10, F-5 and F-16. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters and "V" device, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with five service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He was promoted to major general July 2, 1992, with same date of rank.

(Current as of November 1992)