BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANK CARDILE

Brigadier General Frank Cardile is commander, 438th Airlift Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

General Cardile was born in New York City in 1941. He earned a bachelor of science degree in military science from the U.S. Military Academy in 1963, a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from Stanford University in 1969 and a master of business administration degree in management from Auburn University in 1974. He completed Air Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate in 1974, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1979.

A distinguished graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1963 and entered undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., in July 1963. After graduating in September 1964, he was assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., as a C-133 pilot. He attended the helicopter conversion course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas, from October 1966 to May 1967. He then began a tour of duty as an HH-3E pilot in the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. He flew 97 combat rescue missions, with more than 30 over North Vietnam.

After entering Stanford in June 1968 and graduating in September 1969, General Cardile became an instructor and, later, an assistant professor of mechanics at West Point. In 1974, after graduating from Air Command and Staff College, he served as a development engineer and executive secretary to the Defense Intelligence Agency Scientific Advisory Committee, Washington, D.C.

General Cardile was assigned as operations officer, 71st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in May 1976, then served as squadron commander from July 1977 to June 1979. After completing the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 1980, he became chief of the Management Policy and Congressional Activities divisions, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. The general served as deputy director of program integration for the same deputy chief of staff office until June 1983. He then became vice commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash. From June 1985 until April 1988 he was commander of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing, Clark Air Base, Philippines. He then was assigned as deputy commander for tactical systems, Electronic Systems Division, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., from August 1988 until February 1990, when he became vice commander. In July 1991 General Cardile became vice commander of 21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base. He assumed his present position in September 1991.

The general is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

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

(Current as of December 1991)