Brig. Gen. Loring R. Astorino is commander of the 7th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany.
General Astorino was born in Adams, Mass., in 1935, and graduated from Springfield (Mass.) Technical High School in 1953. He earned an associate degree in industrial electricity from Wentworth Institute, Boston, in 1956 and a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, in 1973. He has completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
The general entered the Aviation Cadet program in August 1956 and attended flying schools in Florida and Texas, flying T-34s, T-28s and T-33s. He graduated in February 1958 and received his pilot wings. General Astorino then completed F-86F combat crew training at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., and B-47 combat crew training at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. His first operational assignment was as a pilot in the 509th Bombardment Wing at Pease Air Force Base, N.H., flying SAC's first all-jet bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. In January 1966 he transferred to Castle Air Force Base, Calif., for combat crew training in B-52s and subsequently was assigned to the 99th Bombardment Wing at Westover Air Force Base, Mass. In 1969 he represented the wing in SAC's bombing and navigation competition. While assigned to Westover Air Force Base, General Astorino also flew 147 combat missions in B-52D's against enemy positions in Southeast Asia while supporting Operation Arc Light.
From November 1969 to September 1973 General Astorino was assigned to the War Gaming Branch of the Data Automation Division at Headquarters SAC, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He then transferred to Minot Air Force Base, N.D., as operations officer for the 23rd Bombardment Squadron. In February 1975 he served as director of training for the 5th Bombardment Wing and in September 1976 became commander of the 23rd Bombardment Squadron.
The following year he returned to Castle Air Force Base as deputy base commander. In July 1979 General Astorino was named assistant deputy commander for operations for the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base. In September 1979 he became the wing's deputy commander for operations.
When he moved to Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., in July 1980, General Astorino served as vice commander of the 97th Bombardment Wing. From February 1982 to June 1983 the general commanded the 2nd Bombardment Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and subsequently became commander of the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base. He transferred to Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, in April 1984 as commander of the 19th Air Division. He assumed his present command in June 1986.
The general is a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
He was promoted to brigadier general Feb. 16, 1985, with date of rank Oct. 1, 1984.
(Current as of September 1986)