Air Force Reserve Command’s 939th Air Refueling Wing in Portland, Ore., inactivated three of its units on May 6, beginning the BRAC 2005-directed shutdown of the wing, which has operated at Portland since 1963. AFRC has advanced the wing’s closure from 2010 to June 2008 to facilitate the search for new jobs for unit members. AFRC’s 304th Rescue Squadron, a separate unit, is supposed to remain at Portland.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.