MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER K. DAVIDSON Major General Alexander K. Davidson is commander, Air Force Inspection Agency, Norton Air Force Base, Calif. General Davidson was born in Spokane, Wash., in 1935. He earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University in 1957 and a master of science degree in research and development systems management from the University of Southern California in 1967. The general completed the National Security Management Course at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1972, Army War College in 1979 and the Advanced Management Program at the University of Michigan in 1982. He also completed Harvard University's Advanced Management Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security in 1987. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1957, General Davidson delayed entry to active duty for approximately one year while working as an experimental test engineer on advanced jet engines for the Pratt & Whitney Division of United Aircraft, East Hartford, Conn. After completing pilot training as a distinguished graduate at Spence Air Base, Ga., and Vance Air Force Base, Okla., he received pilot wings. He was also a distinguished graduate of the F-86L all-weather interceptor school at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., in December 1959. General Davidson served as a C-130 aircraft commander, instructor pilot and flight examiner with the 40th Troop Carrier Squadron, Evreux-Fauville Air Base, France, from February 1960 to June 1964. He then was assigned as a C-130 flight examiner with the 317th Troop Carrier Wing, Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. In February 1968 he transferred to the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing, Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan, as a C-130E instructor pilot and flight examiner. There he flew tactical airlift missions throughout Southeast Asia and South Vietnam. From June 1969 to July 1973 he served as an analyst and study director for the assistant chief of staff for studies and analysis at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He was co-author of a special study, "Alternatives for the Modernization of Tactical Airlift Forces," performed for the secretary of defense in 1972. In September 1973 General Davidson was selected by Tactical Air Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as pilot and test director for the operational flight evaluation of the advanced, medium, short takeoff and landing transport prototypes, the YC-14 and YC-15. After serving in the Prototype System Program Office for 18 months, he transferred to Military Airlift Command's newly formed Air Force Test and Evaluation Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as YC-14 and YC-15 test director, from July 1975 until July 1978. The general was a primary crewmember on the YC-14 and YC-15 during the flight-test program and the 1976 Farnborough and 1977 Paris air shows. He also flew the YC-15 during its record-breaking non-stop air-refueled flight from Long Beach, Calif., to Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, England, in 1976. General Davidson was assigned as vice commander of Military Airlift Command's 317th Tactical Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., in July 1979. There, he also served as director of Project Close Look II, a worldwide review and study of airlift tactics and equipment for C-130s and C-141s directed by the commander in chief of Military Airlift Command. In March 1980 he transferred to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and became commander of the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing. The general served as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations at Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., from June 1982 to July 1983. He then was assigned as deputy director of operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Air Force headquarters. He next served as deputy director of plans from October 1984 until September 1985, when he became director. In February 1987 he became commander, 22nd Air Force, Military Airlift Command, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. He assumed command of the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center in July 1989. The center was redesignated as the Air Force Inspection Agency in August 1991. The general is a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1985, with date of rank Aug. 1, 1982. (Current as of September 1991)