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| Information > Biographies > MAJOR GENERAL EDMUND A. RAFALKO |
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MAJOR GENERAL EDMUND A. RAFALKO
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Retired Sep. 1, 1977.
Major General Edmund A. Rafalko is commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center (Air Logistics Command), Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
General Rafalko was born in 1924, in Stoughton, Mass., where he attended public schools. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and in June 1945 completed an accelerated three-year program, graduating with a commission as second lieutenant, his pilot rating, and a bachelor of science degree. While at the academy, he earned letters in football, basketball and baseball.
After transition training in the B-25 and B-26, he flew with the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron in the Pacific Theater of Operations. In January 1948 he returned to the United States as a Strategic Air Command bomber pilot at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Five months later, he joined the 96th Bombardment Squadron, Chatham Air Force Base, Ga., as an aircraft commander.
General Rafalko moved to Hunter Air Force Base, Ga., in November 1950, where he served seven years as aircraft commander in the 96th Bombardment Squadron; commander of the 2d Air Refueling Squadron; and then commander of the 96th Bombardment Squadron.
General Rafalko was transferred to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, in August 1957, to serve first as deputy base commander and then vice commander of the 3970th Combat Support Group.
In September 1960 he entered the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., graduated in June 1961, and joined the staff at the Squadron Officer School. While at Maxwell, he received his master of arts degree from The George Washington University in an off-duty program. In July 1963 General Rafalko began a four-year assignment as director of athletics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
General Rafalko returned to Strategic Air Command in June 1967 as vice commander of the 2d Bombardment Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and became commander in October 1967. He was transferred to the 4258th Strategic Wing at U-Tapao, Thailand, in November 1968, to serve as vice commander. In January 1970 he became the deputy inspector general at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
In September 1970 General Rafalko began service with the Air Force Logistics Command as commander of the 2750th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In June 1972 he was transferred to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to be the vice commander of the Ogden Air Materiel Area. He returned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in June 1973, as the deputy chief of staff, Plans and Operations, for the Air Force Logistics Command. In July 1974 General Rafalko assumed duties as commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters. He has accumulated more than 7,000 hours of flying in both reciprocating and jet-engine aircraft and has earned a command pilot rating.
He was promoted to the grade of major general effective April 2, 1973, with date of rank Aug. 1, 1969.
(Current as of Feb. 1, 1975)
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