MAJOR GENERAL JOHN A. BRASHEAR Major General John A. Brashear is chief of staff, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. General Brashear was born in Pittsburgh in 1930. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., in 1954, receiving a bachelor of science degree and a commission in the U.S. Air Force. In 1966 General Brashear graduated from Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., concurrently earning a master of science degree from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. In 1972 he completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. After graduation from the academy, General Brashear entered pilot training and received his wings at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. General Brashear was then assigned to the 97th Air Refueling Squadron at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, flying KC-97s. Upon completion of this tour of duty, the general was assigned to the 4123rd Strategic Wing, Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, Okla., as a KC-135 crew member, instructor pilot and standardization evaluator from January 1959 until January 1962. At that time he was selected to participate in SAC's program to convert KC-135s to a reconnaissance aircraft. The next year was devoted to training, flight testing and developing procedures for SAC's first RC-135. The general served as chief of standardization for the 4157th Strategic Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, from April 1962 to August 1965. He then attended Air Command and Staff College. He was later assigned to the staff of Squadron Officer School, also at Maxwell Air Force Base, from June 1966 to August 1968. Following F-4 transition training General Brashear was assigned to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, where he flew 115 combat missions in F-4E Phantom II's. In December 1969 he was assigned to the combat operations staff, Headquarters 7th Air Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Upon his return to the United States in July 1970, he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as chief of the Joint and Special Actions Branch under the deputy director for force development. In August 1973 he became commander of the 90th Security Police Group at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and in 1974 he took command of the 90th Combat Support Group, also at F.E. Warren. He transferred to Mather Air Force Base, Calif., in April 1975 as vice commander of the 320th Bombardment Wing. In April 1977 General Brashear was named commander of the 319th Bombardment Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., until August 1978 when he took command of the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base, Calif. General Brashear was then assigned to Beale Air Force Base, Calif., in February 1979 as commander of the 14th Air Division. In November 1980 he moved to March Air Force Base Calif., as 15th Air Force vice commander. He became deputy chief of staff, operations at SAC headquarters in August 1982. He assumed his present duties in September 1984. General Brashear is a command pilot with more than 8,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Combat Readiness Medal. He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1982, with date of rank May 1, 1979. (Current as of October 1984)