Brigadier General Robert C. Beyer Jr. is vice commander, 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
General Beyer was born in Dallas in 1932. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree and commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in 1956. The general received a master of science degree from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1976. He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., in 1971; and from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1976.
In August 1956 General Beyer entered primary pilot training at Marana Air Base, Ariz., and received his wings at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in 1957. After completing advanced all-weather fighter-interceptor training at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., in April 1958, he was assigned to the 329th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at George Air Force Base, Calif., flying F-102 Delta Daggers.
From May 1960 to June 1963, General Beyer was assigned to the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. He continued flying F-102s and was responsible for the squadron's instrument flying ground training program.
General Beyer was then ordered to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., as an air officer commanding a cadet squadron. After two years, he was appointed the first exchange officer to the U.S. Military Academy as a tactical officer in the Office of the Commandant of Cadets.
He returned to operational flying in August 1967 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., in the F-4D and F-4E pilot checkout course. This was followed by an assignment to the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in May 1968. During this tour of duty, he served as a flight commander and completed 207 combat missions. Returning to the United States in May 1969, he was again assigned to MacDill Air Force Base as a flight commander and instructor pilot in the 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron, training F-4E aircrews.
In August 1970 General Beyer attended the Armed Forces Staff College and following graduation was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., in January 1971. He served as an action officer in the Directorate of Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, until June 1974. In July 1974 General Beyer transferred to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as chairman, Defense Branch, Strategic Operations Division, Directorate of Operations (J-3). After ore year, he entered the Air War College and, following graduation in June 1976, became director of operations for F-5s for the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., with subsequent assignments as deputy commander for operations for F-5s and F-104s; deputy commander for operations for F-4s and F- 15s; and vice commander, 58th Tactical Training Wing.
He took command of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, in March 1979. In May 1980 General Beyer was appointed inspector general for Pacific Air Forces and assigned at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He assumed his present duties in July 1982.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours and has flown F-102s; F-4C's, D's and E's; and F-5E's. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with "V" device and oak leaf cluster.
He was promoted to brigadier general Aug. 1, 1982, with same date of rank.
(Current as of August 1982)