BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS W. HONEYWILL

Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Honeywill is commander of the Space and Missile Test Organization, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

General Honeywill was born in 1938, in Akron, Ohio, where he graduated from Akron East High School in 1955. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Akron in 1959 and a master of business administration degree from Auburn University in 1973. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1963, Air Command and Staff College in 1973, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1977, Defense Systems Management College's Program Management Course in 1976 and the Executive Development Program at Cornell University in 1985.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in June 1959. After completing pilot training at Malden Air Force Base, Mo., and Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in July 1960, the general was assigned as a C-118 pilot and aircraft commander at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. In July 1963 he transferred to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, as a C-118 aircraft commander and instructor pilot. He was assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Del., in August 1965 as a C-133 pilot, and later served as an instructor pilot, flight examiner, and wing aircrew standardization and evaluation officer.

From July 1971 to July 1972 General Honeywill served as a training adviser to the Vietnamese air force, Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, and later as adviser to three Vietnamese air force C-7A squadron commanders at Phu Cat Air Base. After graduating from Air Command and Staff College in June 1973, he became deputy chief, Production Operations Branch, Directorate of Procurement and Production, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and later served as chief of a central procurement contracting section.

After completing the program management course in June 1976, General Honeywill transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and served as executive officer to the chief of staff of Air Force Logistics Command. In April 1978 he became deputy program manager for logistics in the EF-111A Tactical Jamming System Program Office, Air Force Acquisition Logistics Division, Wright-Patterson. In July 1979 he transferred on base to Air Force Systems Command's Aeronautical Systems Division as deputy director of the EF-111A System Program Office. He became director in January 1980. While assigned to the Aeronautical Systems Division, he also served as chief of staff from February 1981 to July 1982, then as deputy for simulators. In December 1982 he was assigned responsibility for all stealth programs, including the B-2 and F-117A.

General Honeywill became chief of staff, Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., in July 1984. In June 1986 he was assigned as special assistant for the Strategic Defense Initiative to the deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and to the vice commander, Air Force Systems Command. He also was responsible for the Air Force's science and technology program at Air Force headquarters. In March 1987 he became director of program management and technology, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C. He assumed his present duties in June 1988.

The general is a command pilot with nearly 9,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service star, Vietnam Service Medal with eight service stars, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He was promoted to brigadier general Oct. 1, 1986, with same date of rank.


(Current as of April 1989)