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LIEUTENANT GENERAL GARY H. MEARS
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Retired March 1, 1994.
Lieutenant General Gary H. Mears is vice director for logistics/deputy director for strategic mobility, J-4, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
General Mears was born in 1936, in Grand Junction, Iowa. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Iowa in 1958 and a master of science degree from Troy State University in 1978. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1962, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1973 and Air War College in 1978.
The general was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1958. He entered primary flight training at Malden Air Force Base, Mo., and received his pilot wings in April 1960 upon completion of basic flying training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas.
His first operational assignment was in September 1960 as a C-124 pilot with the 63rd Troop Carrier Wing (renamed the 63rd Military Airlift Wing) at Donaldson Air Force Base, S.C. He moved with the wing in 1963 to Hunter Air Force Base, Ga., and in 1966 to Norton Air Force Base, Calif., where he transitioned to C-141s.
In August 1968 General Mears was assigned to the 834th Air Division, the organization responsible for tactical airlift in Southeast Asia. After staff assignments at 21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., he became commander of the 7th Military Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., in August 1975. Upon graduation from Air War College in August 1978, he served on the staff of the assistant secretary of defense for manpower, reserve affairs and logistics in Washington, D.C.
In September 1980 the general was assigned to McChord Air Force Base, Wash., first as deputy commander for operations and then as vice commander of the 62nd Military Airlift Wing. He became commander of the 1606th Air Base Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., in June 1982. In July 1983 he assumed command of the Military Airlift Command's 834th Airlift Division, and also served as special assistant for airlift for Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. In August 1985 General Mears was assigned as vice commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. He transferred to Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott, as deputy chief of staff for logistics in November 1986. He assumed his present duties in June 1989.
The general is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours in C-124s, T-39s, C-21s, C-130s and C-141s. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal and Bronze Star Medal.
He was promoted to major general July 1, 1988, with same date of rank.
(Current as of October 1989)
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