Major General Russell F. Gustke is Commander of Western Air Force Reserve Region, Hamilton Air Force Base, California, a position to which he was appointed in June 1970. He had previously been Commander of the Central Air Force Reserve Region, Ellington Air Force Base, Texas, since January 1970.
Born on January 11, 1919, in Port Huron, Minnesota, General Gustke entered the Air Corps Cadet Program in September 1941 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1942. During World War II he served in the European Theater, flying more than 650 combat flying hours in both P-38 and P-51 aircraft. While serving with the 49th Fighter Squadron of the 14th Fighter Group, General Gustke was shot down and captured in Africa in 1942 by the Germans, but escaped to rejoin his unit and fly again. Later in the war he became Commander of the 77th Fighter Squadron of the 20th Fighter Group, before being named Deputy Commander of the Group. He scored three aerial victories in World War II, shooting down a German Fw-190 and two German Me-109s.
He was discharged from active duty in 1946, but remained in the Air Force Reserve and was appointed Wing Commander of the 440th Fighter-Bomber Wing in Minneapolis in February 1953. His organization was redesignated as the 440th Troop Carrier Wing in September 1957. He remained as Commander until November 1957.
General Gustke entered the Air Reserve Technician Program in 1958 and was named Commander of the 446th Tactical Airlift Wing, Ellington Air Force Base, Texas. The 446th Tactical Airlift Wing was the first Air Force Reserve unit to receive C-130A aircraft and to operate a Combat Crew Training School for the regular establishment. He was combat ready as a C-130 Tactical Airlift Pilot. He remained as Commander until January 1970.
He is a command pilot on flying status.
General Gustke was promoted to Major General in July 1971.
Decorations and Awards: Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Medal with sixteen Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Service Medal; Purple Heart; Distinguished Unit Citation; Combat Readiness Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with six Service Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Air Force); Air Force Longevity Service Award; and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
Civic Affiliations: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce; Novato Chamber of Commerce; San Rafael Chamber of Commerce; Member, HQ USAF Reserve Forces Policy Committee; Reserve Officers Association; and Air Force Association.
Civilian Occupation: Air Reserve Technician, Commander, Western Air Force Reserve Region, Hamilton Air Force Base, California.
Education: Michigan State College, East Lansing; the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; AAFFS CCTS (F-84G), 1956; Executive Development Program, University of Houston, 1960; AFCCTS (C-130A), 1968; National Economy and the Federal Executive, Civil Service Commission Executive Seminar Center, 1968; National Security Management Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1970.
Current as of 20 August 1971