Charles C. McDonald
Encyclopedia
General Charles Clarence McDonald (born October 1, 1933) is a retired United States Air Force general who served as Commander, Air Force Logistics Command
(COMAFLC) from 1989 to 1992.
McDonald was born in 1933, in Barron, Wisconsin
, where he graduated from Barron High School in 1951. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin in 1956 and a master of arts degree in education from the Inter-American University of San German, Puerto Rico
, in 1966. He is a distinguished graduate of both Squadron Officer School
in 1963 and Air War College
in 1973.
In August 1956 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He entered active service in June 1957 and completed pilot training in July 1958. From August 1958 until November 1961 he was a B-47
co-pilot at McConnell Air Force Base
, Kansas, and Mountain Home Air Force Base
, Idaho.
McDonald volunteered for the B-52
program and after completing combat crew training in March 1962, was assigned to the 319th Bombardment Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base
, North Dakota. There he was a B-52H co-pilot, aircraft commander and instructor pilot. In June 1965 he transferred to the 72nd Bombardment Wing, Ramey Air Force Base
, Puerto Rico, as a wing standardization evaluator.
He served as a command briefer at Headquarters Strategic Air Command
, Offutt Air Force Base
, Nebraska, from June 1968 to May 1971. McDonald then began OV-10 training as a forward air controller and was assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron
at Da Nang Air Base
, Republic of Vietnam, as squadron operations officer.
Returning to the United States, he entered Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base
, Alabama, graduating in May 1973. He next was assigned as a B-52 operations planner at Headquarters 7th Air Force, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
, Thailand, where he was responsible for coordinating all B-52 air strikes in Southeast Asia. After the cease-fire he conducted a series of inspections for the Defense Attache Office in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese air force.
In May 1974 he was assigned to the Concepts Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. There he developed a number of future planning tools, including Air Force long-range capability objectives, use of simulation in battle-staff training, refinement of net assessment as an aid to decision-making and mission area analysis in budget planning.
Additionally, he helped direct an interagency airborne warning and control system task force, integrating it into U.S. forces and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization community. In March 1978 he returned to operational duties as assistant deputy commander for operations, 28th Bombardment Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base
, South Dakota. He subsequently was appointed deputy commander for operations, then vice commander.
From August 1979 to February 1981 McDonald was commander of the 320th Bombardment Wing, Mather Air Force Base
, California. Under his command the wing won the Fairchild Trophy, awarded to the top bomber wing in the Strategic Air Command for combined bombing and navigational excellence. He then transferred to March Air Force Base, California, as commander of the 22nd Bombardment Wing. In July 1982 he became deputy chief of staff for operations, Headquarters 15th Air Force, also at March.
He was vice commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center
, Hill Air Force Base
, Utah, from July 1983 to October 1984. He then went to AFLC headquarters as deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, and in December 1985 became chief of staff. In August 1987 he became deputy chief of staff for logistics and engineering at Air Force headquarters. He assumed AFLC command in November 1989.
He was a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal and Combat Readiness Medal.
He was promoted to general November 1, 1989, with same date of rank, and retired June 30, 1992.
Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command was a United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio...
(COMAFLC) from 1989 to 1992.
McDonald was born in 1933, in Barron, Wisconsin
Barron, Wisconsin
Barron is a city in Barron County , in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,248 at the 2000 census...
, where he graduated from Barron High School in 1951. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin in 1956 and a master of arts degree in education from the Inter-American University of San German, Puerto Rico
San Germán, Puerto Rico
San Germán is a municipality located in the southwestern region of Puerto Rico, south of Mayagüez and Maricao; north of Lajas; east of Hormigueros and Cabo Rojo; and west of Sabana Grande. San Germán is spread over 18 wards and San Germán Pueblo...
, in 1966. He is a distinguished graduate of both 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 1963 and 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...
in 1973.
In August 1956 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He entered active service in June 1957 and completed pilot training in July 1958. From August 1958 until November 1961 he was a B-47
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...
co-pilot at McConnell Air Force Base
McConnell Air Force Base
McConnell Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located four miles southeast of the central business district of Wichita, a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States. The base was named in honor of Wichita brothers Fred and Thomas McConnell, both Air Force pilots and World War II...
, Kansas, and Mountain Home Air Force Base
Mountain Home Air Force Base
Mountain Home Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in southwestern Idaho, United States. The base is in Elmore County, 12 miles southwest of the city of Mountain Home, which is 40 miles southeast of Boise, via Interstate 84.The host unit at Mountain Home since 1972...
, Idaho.
McDonald volunteered for the B-52
B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
program and after completing combat crew training in March 1962, was assigned to the 319th Bombardment Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located north of Emerado, North Dakota and approximately west of Grand Forks, North Dakota...
, North Dakota. There he was a B-52H co-pilot, aircraft commander and instructor pilot. In June 1965 he transferred to the 72nd Bombardment Wing, Ramey Air Force Base
Ramey Air Force Base
Ramey Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. In addition to a small on-site Air Force detachment, and occasional operations by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, a portion of the former Air Force Base is operated by the United States Coast Guard as Coast...
, Puerto Rico, as a wing standardization evaluator.
He served as a command briefer at Headquarters 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...
, Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
, Nebraska, from June 1968 to May 1971. McDonald then began OV-10 training as a forward air controller and was assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron
20th Tactical Air Support Squadron
The 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron is the former name of the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron, a unit of the United States Air Force. It is currently assigned to the 432d Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. Its original term of service overlapped World War II, and it was inactivated in 1949...
at Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
, Republic of Vietnam, as squadron operations officer.
Returning to the United States, he entered Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Alabama, graduating in May 1973. He next was assigned as a B-52 operations planner at Headquarters 7th Air Force, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base , formerly Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, is a Royal Thai Navy facility used for riverine patrols along the Mekong River. It is located approximately 365 miles northeast of Bangkok, 9 miles west of Nakhon Phanom city in Nakhon Phanom Province in the...
, Thailand, where he was responsible for coordinating all B-52 air strikes in Southeast Asia. After the cease-fire he conducted a series of inspections for the Defense Attache Office in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese air force.
In May 1974 he was assigned to the Concepts Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. There he developed a number of future planning tools, including Air Force long-range capability objectives, use of simulation in battle-staff training, refinement of net assessment as an aid to decision-making and mission area analysis in budget planning.
Additionally, he helped direct an interagency airborne warning and control system task force, integrating it into U.S. forces and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization community. In March 1978 he returned to operational duties as assistant deputy commander for operations, 28th Bombardment Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Ellsworth Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota just north of Box Elder, South Dakota....
, South Dakota. He subsequently was appointed deputy commander for operations, then vice commander.
From August 1979 to February 1981 McDonald was commander of the 320th Bombardment Wing, 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. Under his command the wing won the Fairchild Trophy, awarded to the top bomber wing in the Strategic Air Command for combined bombing and navigational excellence. He then transferred to March Air Force Base, California, as commander of the 22nd Bombardment Wing. In July 1982 he became deputy chief of staff for operations, Headquarters 15th Air Force, also at March.
He was vice commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center
Ogden Air Logistics Center
The Ogden Air Logistics Center performs depot maintenance on a number of US Air Force weapon systems. Specifically it supports A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-2 Spirit, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and LGM-30G Minuteman III systems...
, Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force Base located in northern Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and near the towns of Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, Sunset, and Layton. It is about north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air...
, Utah, from July 1983 to October 1984. He then went to AFLC headquarters as deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, and in December 1985 became chief of staff. In August 1987 he became deputy chief of staff for logistics and engineering at Air Force headquarters. He assumed AFLC command in November 1989.
He was a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal and Combat Readiness Medal.
He was promoted to general November 1, 1989, with same date of rank, and retired June 30, 1992.