David J. McCloud
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General David J. McCloud was born 15 February 1945 in California. He died 26 July 1998 in Anchorage, Alaska, when the aircraft he was piloting crashed. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
His final assignment was as commander of Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force
, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base
, Alaska
.
He grew up in Sun Valley, California and was a graduate of John H. Francis Polytechnic High School
. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from California State University, Northridge
and a Master of Arts Degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University
, Mount Pleasant.
He entered the US Air Force in 1969 and was a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base
, Texas. He was a command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours, principally in fighter aircraft.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
His final assignment was as commander of Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force
Eleventh Air Force
The Eleventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska....
, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base
Elmendorf Air Force Base
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a United States military facility adjacent to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:The...
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
He grew up in Sun Valley, California and was a graduate of John H. Francis Polytechnic High School
John H. Francis Polytechnic High School
John H. Francis Polytechnic High School is a secondary school located in the Sun Valley area of Los Angeles, California. It serves grades 9 through 12 and is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District...
. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
and a Master of Arts Degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
, Mount Pleasant.
He entered the US Air Force in 1969 and was a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base
Lackland Air Force Base
Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located west-southwest of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, Texas. He was a command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours, principally in fighter aircraft.
Military Education
- 1975 Squadron Officer SchoolSquadron Officer SchoolSquadron 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...
, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama - 1975 Air Command and Staff CollegeAir Command and Staff CollegeThe 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...
, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama - 1985 Air War CollegeAir War CollegeThe 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...
, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama - 1990 National War CollegeNational War CollegeThe National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. - 1991 Program for Senior Officials in National Security, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of GovernmentJohn F. Kennedy School of GovernmentThe John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Military Assignments
- April 1969 - May 1970, student, undergraduate pilot training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
- May 1970 - January 1971, student, F-102 interceptor pilot training, Perrin Air Force Base, Texas
- January 1971 - March 1973, F-106 Pilot, 94th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan
- March 1973 - February 1975, F-106 Instructor Pilot and Air National Guard Adviser, 191st Fighter Interceptor Group, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan
- February 1975 - October 1975, F-4D/E Pilot, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
- October 1975 - December 1975, F-4D/E Pilot, 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udon Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdon Thani International AirportUdonthani International Airport is an airport located near the city of Udon Thani in Udon Thani Province in the northeast region of Thailand. It is approximately 280 miles northeast of Bangkok...
, Thailand - December 1975 - October 1976, F-4D/E Pilot, Wing Weapons and Tactics Officer, 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
- October 1976 - April 1979, F-5E Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Chief of Academics and Detachment Commander, 64th and 65th Aggressor Squadrons, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- April 1979 - November 1981, Advanced Air-to-Air Tactics Test and Training Mission Project Pilot, Section Chief for Special Projects, Flight Commander and Assistant Operations Officer, 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- November 1981 - April 1984, Action Officer and Program Element Monitor, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Special Projects Office, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1984 - August 1985, Deputy Assistant Director for Special Projects, Washington, D.C.
- August 1985 - August 1987, A-7D/F-117A Pilot, Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations, 4450th Tactical Group, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada
- August 1987 - August 1989, Director of Advanced Programs, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
- August 1989 - June 1990, student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- June 1990 - March 1991, Commander, 24th Composite Wing, Howard Air Force Base, Panama
- July 1991 - June 1993, Commander, 1st Fighter Wing1st Fighter WingThe 1st Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Ninth Air Force. It is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va...
, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia - June 1993 - August 1994, Commander, 366th Fighter Wing366th Fighter WingThe 366th Fighter Wing is a Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho...
, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho - August 1994 - May 1996, Director of Operational Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- May 1996 - December 1997, Director for Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
- December 1997 – July 1998, Commander, Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, and Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
Flight Information
- Rating: Command pilot
- Flight hours: More than 4,100
- Aircraft flown: F-15F-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, F-16F-16 Fighting FalconThe General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
, F-117F-117 NighthawkThe Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force . The F-117A's first flight was in 1981, and it achieved initial operating capability status in October 1983...
, A-7A-7 Corsair IIThe Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
, F-4F-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
, F-5, F-102F-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
, F-106F-106 Delta DartThe Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
, OA-37, B-1B, KC-135R, X29 and others
Major Awards and Decorations
Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
Air Force 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 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...
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...
with three oak leaf clusters
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit AwardJoint Meritorious Unit AwardThe Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Effective Dates of Promotion
- Second Lieutenant March 31, 1969
- First Lieutenant September 30, 1970
- Captain March 30, 1972
- MajorMajor (United States)In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
September 1, 1979 - Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant Colonel (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
December 1, 1982 - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
April 1, 1988 - Brigadier GeneralBrigadier general (United States)A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
July 1, 1993 - Major GeneralMajor general (United States)In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
September 1, 1995 - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant General (United States)In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
September 6, 1996