 |
| Information > Biographies > BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM M. CONSTANTINE |
|
BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM M. CONSTANTINE
|
|
| Bio Tools |
|
|
|
|
Retired Aug. 1, 1985.
Brigadier General William M. Constantine is deputy director for operations (National Military Command System), J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
General Constantine was born in 1934 in New Rochelle, N.Y. He graduated from Chaminade High School, St. Louis, in 1952 and the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1956, with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. While attending the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., he concurrently earned a master of science degree in public administration from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He is also a graduate of the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1956 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps prograrn and entered primary pilot training in August 1956 at Marana Air Base, Ariz. He received his pilot wings in October 1957 upon completion of basic multi-engine training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. In March 1958 General Constantine joined Strategic Air Command as a KC-97 pilot at March Air Force Base, Calif. He was assigned to Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda, as a KC-97 aircraft commander, from October 1961 to May 1963. He completed KC-135 aircraft commander training in October 1963 and was assigned to Glasgow Air Force Base, Mont., until June 1966, serving as a KC-135 instructor, and standardization and evaluation pilot.
The general completed the Air Command and Staff College in July 1967 as a distinguished graduate and in August 1967 entered A-1 Skyraider training at Hurlburt Air Force Base, Fla. He was assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, England Air Force Base, La., and served with the squadron at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, from March 1968 to February 1969. While there he flew more than 300 combat missions in A-1s.
From May 1969 to June 1973, General Constantine was assigned to Headquarters 15th Air Force at March Air Force Base as a reconnaissance operations staff officer and chief of the Training Division, Directorate of Reconnaissance. During this period he also served as an Air Force advance agent for presidential flight support, arranging operational and logistics support for many presidential visits in the United States and overseas.
In July 1973 he was assigned to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., as commander of the 905th Air Refueling Squadron. From September 1974 to July 1975, General Constantine served as the 319th Bombardment Wing's assistant deputy commander for operations. While there he completed combat-ready qualification in B-52H's.
General Constantine attended the National War College, from August 1975 to June 1976, and was designated a distinguished graduate. In July 1976 he transferred to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., in the Directorate of Plans, serving as assistant chief, Strategic Forces Division and later as chief, Munitions Planning Division. In June 1977 General Constantine was assigned as executive to the Air Force vice chief of staff. He served as executive to the Air Force chief of staff, from July 1978 to August 1980.
He became vice commander of Military Airlift Command's 22nd Air Force at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., in September 1980. While at Travis General Constantine qualified in C-5s, C-141s and C-130s, and received the Parachutist Badge following completion of the U.S. Army Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga.
In March 1982 General Constantine transferred to SAC's 40th Air Division, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., as commander. While there he was responsible for the emergency war-only preparedness and training effectiveness of several Strategic Air Command bombardment wings. He was then assigned as deputy director for international negotiations, J-5, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this assignment he was the Joint Chiefs of Staff representative to the Conference on Confidence and Security Building Measures and Disarmament in Europe. General Constantine assumed his present duties in August 1984.
The general is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours in a variety of aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. He is a recipient of the University of Missouri Faculty-Alumni Award presented by the Alumni Association.
He was promoted to brigadier general Sept. 8, 1980, with same date of rank.
(Current as of February 1985)
|
|
|
|
|
Printable bio