Bernard P. Randolph
Encyclopedia
Bernard Peter Randolph (born July 10, 1933) is a retired United States Air Force
General who served as Commander, Air Force Systems Command
(COMAFSC) from 1987 to 1990.
in 1954. He earned bachelor (magna cum laude) and master of science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota
through the Air Force Institute of Technology program in 1964 and 1965, respectively. He completed Squadron Officer School
in 1959, and Air Command and Staff College
as a distinguished graduate in 1969, concurrently earning a master's degree in business administration from Auburn University
. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air War College in 1974.
His first assignment after completing aviation cadet training at Ellington Air Force Base, Texas, and Mather Air Force Base
, California, was with the Strategic Air Command
at Lincoln Air Force Base
, Nebraska, from June 1956 to June 1962. He instructed and evaluated KC-97 Stratotanker
and B-47 Stratojet
flightcrews. While there, he was a member of a select crew.
General Randolph attended the University of North Dakota
until July 1965 and then was assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Station, California, as chief, on-orbit operations, Space Systems Division. He next was assigned as assistant deputy program director for launch and orbital operations, and was responsible for all payload operations.
From August 1968 to October 1969 General Randolph attended Air Command and Staff College, and Auburn University. He then was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam
as an airlift operations officer at Chu Lai and airlift coordinator at Tan Son Nhut Air Base
. He was responsible for the total operation of about 50 C-7
and C-123
airlift sorties daily from Chu Lai and later coordinated the operations of all airlift control elements throughout the Republic of Vietnam.
Upon his return to the United States in November 1970, General Randolph was assigned to Air Force Systems Command headquarters as chief of command plans in test evaluation, and then as the executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for operations.
General Randolph attended Air War College
from August 1973 to June 1974. Upon graduation he returned to Los Angeles Air Force Station as director, space systems planning, for the Space and Missile Systems Organization. In April 1975 he became deputy program director and, later, program director for the Air Force Satellite Communications System. He assumed responsibility for space defense systems at Space Division headquarters, Los Angeles Air Force Station, in March 1978. In this capacity he managed a program to design and develop the U.S. anti-satellite system with its supporting surveillance, command and control, and survivability aspects.
From July 1980 to September 1981 the general served as vice commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He then became director of space systems and command, control and communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Randolph returned again to Los Angeles Air Force Station as vice commander and deputy commander for space systems acquisition for Space Division in May 1983. In June 1984 he became vice commander of Air Force Systems Command. He returned to Air Force headquarters in May 1985 and served as deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition. He assumed his final command in July 1987 and retired March 31, 1990.
, Legion of Merit
with oak leaf cluster
, Bronze Star
, Meritorious Service Medal
, Air Force Commendation Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.
He was promoted to general August 1, 1987, with same date of rank.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
General who served as Commander, Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
(COMAFSC) from 1987 to 1990.
Career
Randolph was born in 1933, in New Orleans. He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Xavier University of LouisianaXavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana , located in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts college with the distinction of being the only historically black Roman Catholic institution of higher education...
in 1954. He earned bachelor (magna cum laude) and master of science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
through the Air Force Institute of Technology program in 1964 and 1965, respectively. He completed Squadron Officer School
Squadron Officer School
Squadron Officer School , is a five-week long Professional Military Education course for U.S. Air Force Captains. It fulfills the U.S. Air Force's requirement for primary developmental education . SOS is based at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and the in-residence version of the course is taught there...
in 1959, and Air Command and Staff College
Air Command and Staff College
The Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
as a distinguished graduate in 1969, concurrently earning a master's degree in business administration from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air War College in 1974.
His first assignment after completing aviation cadet training at Ellington Air Force Base, Texas, and Mather Air Force Base
Mather Air Force Base
Mather Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force Base located east of Sacramento at Rancho Cordova, California on the south side of U.S. Route 50....
, California, was with the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
at Lincoln Air Force Base
Lincoln Air Force Base
Lincoln Air National Guard Base, previously Lincoln Air Force Base, is a Nebraska Air National Guard installation located approximately northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska. The facility is a joint use civil airport/military base with the Lincoln Airport which provides airline, charter and general...
, Nebraska, from June 1956 to June 1962. He instructed and evaluated KC-97 Stratotanker
KC-97 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a United States strategic tanker aircraft based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. It was succeeded by the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.-Design and development:...
and B-47 Stratojet
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
flightcrews. While there, he was a member of a select crew.
General Randolph attended the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
until July 1965 and then was assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Station, California, as chief, on-orbit operations, Space Systems Division. He next was assigned as assistant deputy program director for launch and orbital operations, and was responsible for all payload operations.
From August 1968 to October 1969 General Randolph attended Air Command and Staff College, and Auburn University. He then was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
as an airlift operations officer at Chu Lai and airlift coordinator at Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. It is located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
. He was responsible for the total operation of about 50 C-7
De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou
The de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability...
and C-123
C-123 Provider
The C-123 Provider was an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and subsequently built by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Air Force...
airlift sorties daily from Chu Lai and later coordinated the operations of all airlift control elements throughout the Republic of Vietnam.
Upon his return to the United States in November 1970, General Randolph was assigned to Air Force Systems Command headquarters as chief of command plans in test evaluation, and then as the executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for operations.
General Randolph attended Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
from August 1973 to June 1974. Upon graduation he returned to Los Angeles Air Force Station as director, space systems planning, for the Space and Missile Systems Organization. In April 1975 he became deputy program director and, later, program director for the Air Force Satellite Communications System. He assumed responsibility for space defense systems at Space Division headquarters, Los Angeles Air Force Station, in March 1978. In this capacity he managed a program to design and develop the U.S. anti-satellite system with its supporting surveillance, command and control, and survivability aspects.
From July 1980 to September 1981 the general served as vice commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center performs sustainment and depot maintenance on a number of US Air Force weapon systems. Specifically it supports AC-130, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, E-8 Joint STARS, EC-130, F-15 Eagle, HC-130, HH-60 Pave Hawk, MC-130, MH-53 Pave Low,...
, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He then became director of space systems and command, control and communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Randolph returned again to Los Angeles Air Force Station as vice commander and deputy commander for space systems acquisition for Space Division in May 1983. In June 1984 he became vice commander of Air Force Systems Command. He returned to Air Force headquarters in May 1985 and served as deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition. He assumed his final command in July 1987 and retired March 31, 1990.
Awards
General Randolph's military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with oak leaf cluster
Oak leaf cluster
An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, Air Force Commendation Medal and Presidential Unit Citation.
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Air Force Commendation Medal- Presidential Unit Citation
He was promoted to general August 1, 1987, with same date of rank.