1998 - General William G. Moore

General William Grover Moore, Jr. is a renowned aviator, airlifter and combat veteran of three wars. He flew 100 combat bomber missions during WW II and the Korean War. During Vietnam he flew over 140 combat airlift missions. He has commanded at all levels of command, squadron, wing, air division, numbered air force, major command and specified command. These experiences contributed toward the development of his leadership philosophies which are grounded in emphasis on people, their training and development; development of common sense and good judgment; allowing exercise of command judgment; flexibility and constructive initiative; and, decentralized authority.

In 1962, after graduating from the National War College, he was assigned as commander of the 314th Troop Carrier Wing, Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee, and subsequently as Commander of the 839th Air Division. During his tenure he developed many of the aerial delivery and combat tactics, techniques and procedures still in use today. These developments took place under the auspices of the project series CLOSE LOOK under General MooreÕs direction. They included a variety of aerial delivery methodologies such as personnel drops, cargo drops, heavy equipment drops, and parachute extraction systems. The series also produced formation flying and landing tactics to approach the drop or landing zone. He also served as Airlift Commander on several large scale exercises such as BIG LIFT, transport of a full Army Division overseas for the first time. The 2nd Armored Division was moved to Germany within 63 hours, airlifting 15,377 people and 444 tons of equipment.

He continued working airlift tactical problems after March 1965 when he was assigned as Deputy Director of Operations, J-3, U.S. Strike Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL. He commanded the test exercise RAPID STRIKE and was instrumental in development and planning for joint procedures and operations.

In November 1966 General Moore was assigned in Vietnam to organize the airlift effort in support of the Southeast Asia conflict. He reactivated and commanded the 834th Air Division at Tan Son Nhut airfield with responsibility for all tactical airlift in Vietnam. He made contributions toward development of an efficient airlift system by absorbing the airlift control center, assuming ownership of the C-7 fleet from Army Aviation, C-123 wing and an Aerial Port Group. The Division also exercised operational control over the C-130s that had arrived in Vietnam the previous year. Tan Son Nhut airfield developed the highest traffic density in the world. Cargo throughput expanded nearly five times from 30,000 tons per month to 140,000 tons per month. Operating locations grew from eight to thirty-five. General Moore also participated in operation JUNCTION CITY, a battalion size parachute drop that required 13 C-130s for personnel and 10 C-130s for cargo. During this time period he was instrumental in the application of the Red Ball Express concept for moving high visibility items to the end user expeditiously.

Assigned as Commander 22nd Air Force, Military Airlift Command, Travis Air Force Base, California, in 1970, he was responsible for the extensive strategic airlift flown from CONUS to Southeast Asia, flew 900 hours in the C-141A and insured the efficient stand-up of a C-5 squadron at Travis AFB. He continued to apply his leadership style to improve the welfare and morale of airlifters throughout his command. General Moore continued to incorporate many of the command control lessonÕs learned from his Vietnam days into the strategic airlift system.

As Commander 13th Air Force he played a pivotal role in the success of operation HOMECOMING.

During General MooreÕs tour as Chief of Staff, Pacific Command, he was involved in the planning of the evacuation of Vietnam and the Mayaguez Operation.

General Moore assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief, Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, April, 1977. He stressed the ÒTotal Airlift ForceÓ emphatically to insure equal treatment and opportunity for all active, reserve, air national guard, tactical, strategic and civilian members of the air mobility family and took positive action to develop strong leadership. General Moore advanced concepts for new airlift assets during his tenure such as the YC-14, YC-15 and C-17. The C-141B prototype program came in $4 million below estimated cost under his command.

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