Robert W. Bazley
Encyclopedia
Robert W. Bazley is a retired United States Air Force
four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), from 1984 to 1986.
Bazley was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
in 1925. He graduated from Brentwood High School
and received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh
in 1949. He is also a 1968 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
, Fort Lesley J. McNair
, Washington, D.C.
Bazley enlisted in September 1943 and entered active duty through the aviation cadet program in January 1944. He received his navigator wings and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces in March 1945.
The end of World War II coincided with his completion of B-29
combat crew training and Bazley was released from active duty in February 1946. He then entered the University of Pittsburgh.
In November 1951 General Bazley was recalled to active duty and served as an RB-26 navigator with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea. During the Korean War
he flew 50 combat sorties.
Bazley entered pilot training in August 1953 and in August 1954 received his wings. Following F-84 fighter weapons training, he transferred to Royal Air Force Station Wethersfield, England, where he served as a pilot, flight commander and assistant operations officer with the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
From May 1958 to June 1960, Bazley was assigned to the 3502nd U.S. Air Force Recruiting Group with duty in Pittsburgh. He then transferred to the United States Air Force Academy
.
Upon his return to England in April 1965, he served at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath as operations officer for the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron and later as chief, Operations Division, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. He returned to the United States in 1967 and completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
In August 1968 he commanded the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, at Bien Hoa Air Base
, Republic of Vietnam
. He flew 257 combat missions in F-100s
. From September 1969 to June 1970, Bazley served in the Directorate of Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He then joined the Directorate of Operations in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Bazley served as commander of Randolph Air Force Base
, Texas, from June 1972 to November 1972. He then moved to Laredo Air Force Base
, Texas, and assumed command of the 38th Flying Training Wing.
From October 1973 to August 1975, he commanded the 323rd Flying Training Wing at Mather Air Force Base
, California. He was then assigned as inspector general for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base
, Germany. He became the command's assistant for readiness in June 1976.
He took command of the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center at Norton Air Force Base
, California, in May 1978. From July 1979 to June 1980, he commanded Sheppard Technical Training Center, Sheppard Air Force Base
, Texas. He then returned to England as commander of 3rd Air Force at Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall. Bazley returned to Ramstein Air Base in July 1981 as vice commander in chief of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Two years later he assumed duties as inspector general of the U.S. Air Force at Air Force headquarters. He was responsible to the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff for U.S. Air Force inspection, safety, security, investigative, counterterrorism, counterintelligence and complaint programs. He assumed command of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii in September 1984, and retired from the Air Force on January 1, 1987.
Bazley was a command pilot and navigator with more than 4,500 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
, Defense Superior Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross
with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star
, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal
with 15 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. Bazley was inducted into the Order of the Sword
by the noncommissioned officers of United States Air Forces in Europe in May 1983 when he served as vice commander of that organization. This award is given for conspicuous and significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the noncommissioned officers corps.
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...
four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF), from 1984 to 1986.
Bazley was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
in 1925. He graduated from Brentwood High School
Brentwood High School (Brentwood, Pennsylvania)
Brentwood High School is a small, suburban high school located outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It serves the community of Brentwood, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania...
and received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1949. He is also a 1968 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
, Fort Lesley J. McNair
Fort Lesley J. McNair
Fort Lesley J. McNair is a United States Army post located on the tip of a peninsula that lies at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. To its west is the Washington Channel, while the Anacostia River is on its south side...
, Washington, D.C.
Bazley enlisted in September 1943 and entered active duty through the aviation cadet program in January 1944. He received his navigator wings and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces in March 1945.
The end of World War II coincided with his completion of B-29
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
combat crew training and Bazley was released from active duty in February 1946. He then entered the University of Pittsburgh.
In November 1951 General Bazley was recalled to active duty and served as an RB-26 navigator with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
he flew 50 combat sorties.
Bazley entered pilot training in August 1953 and in August 1954 received his wings. Following F-84 fighter weapons training, he transferred to Royal Air Force Station Wethersfield, England, where he served as a pilot, flight commander and assistant operations officer with the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
From May 1958 to June 1960, Bazley was assigned to the 3502nd U.S. Air Force Recruiting Group with duty in Pittsburgh. He then transferred to the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
.
Upon his return to England in April 1965, he served at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath as operations officer for the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron and later as chief, Operations Division, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. He returned to the United States in 1967 and completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
In August 1968 he commanded the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, at Bien Hoa Air Base
Bien Hoa Air Base
Bien Hoa Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield located in South-Central southern Vietnam about 20 miles from Saigon near the city of Bien Hoa within Dong Nai Province....
, 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...
. He flew 257 combat missions in F-100s
F-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
. From September 1969 to June 1970, Bazley served in the Directorate of Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He then joined the Directorate of Operations in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Bazley served as commander of Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, Texas, from June 1972 to November 1972. He then moved to Laredo Air Force Base
Laredo Air Force Base
Laredo Air Force Base is an inactivated United States Air Force near Laredo, Texas. First activated in 1942 as Laredo Army Airfield, the facility instructed recruits in aerial gunnery during World War II, then as a United States Air Force base in the 1950s and 1960s, performed Undergraduate Pilot...
, Texas, and assumed command of the 38th Flying Training Wing.
From October 1973 to August 1975, he commanded the 323rd Flying Training Wing at 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. He was then assigned as inspector general for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. It serves as headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation...
, Germany. He became the command's assistant for readiness in June 1976.
He took command of the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center at Norton Air Force Base
Norton Air Force Base
Norton Air Force Base is a former front-line United States Air Force facility located east of downtown San Bernardino, California in San Bernardino County.-Overview:...
, California, in May 1978. From July 1979 to June 1980, he commanded Sheppard Technical Training Center, Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located five miles north of the central business district of Wichita Falls, in Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is the largest training base and most diversified in Air Education and Training Command...
, Texas. He then returned to England as commander of 3rd Air Force at Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall. Bazley returned to Ramstein Air Base in July 1981 as vice commander in chief of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Two years later he assumed duties as inspector general of the U.S. Air Force at Air Force headquarters. He was responsible to the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff for U.S. Air Force inspection, safety, security, investigative, counterterrorism, counterintelligence and complaint programs. He assumed command of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii in September 1984, and retired from the Air Force on January 1, 1987.
Bazley was a command pilot and navigator with more than 4,500 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The 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...
, Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
, 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, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with oak leaf cluster, 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, Air Medal
Air Medal
The 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:...
with 15 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. Bazley was inducted into the Order of the Sword
Order of the Sword (United States)
The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded within the U.S. Air Force. It is defined in the Airman's Guide by Boone Nicolls as a "special program where noncommisioned officers of a command recognize individuals they hold in high esteem and wish to honor...
by the noncommissioned officers of United States Air Forces in Europe in May 1983 when he served as vice commander of that organization. This award is given for conspicuous and significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the noncommissioned officers corps.