William J. Begert | |
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 General William J. Begert | |
| Born | June 9, 1946 Lewiston, Maine |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1968–2004 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands held | Pacific Air Forces Air Mobility Warfare Center 60th Military Airlift Wing 436th Military Airlift Wing |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal (12) |
General William J. Begert (born June 9, 1946)[1] is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He served as commander, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Component Commander for the Commander, United States Pacific Command, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. As commander, he had responsibility for USAF activities spread over half the globe in a command that supports 55,500 airmen serving principally in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Begert graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1968 and served as an instructor and evaluator pilot in C-141 Starlifter, O-2 Skymaster and C-5 Galaxy aircraft early in his career. During the Vietnam War, he was assigned as a forward air controller at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew more than 300 combat missions over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. He has more than 875 combat hours. In earlier assignments, Begert commanded a flying squadron and two USAF wings. He was chief of the Mobility Forces Division on the Air Staff. At Scott AFB, Illinois, he served as chief of staff as well as director of operations and logistics for Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command, and as inspector general for Headquarters Air Mobility Command. Begert was the first commander of the USAF Air Mobility Warfare Center at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. He also served as the vice commander of United States Air Forces in Europe during the air war over Serbia. Prior to becoming PACAF commander, he was the assistant vice chief of staff for Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C. Begert retired on August 1, 2004. In 2005, Begert was named vice president for military international programs & business development with Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines. He is married to the former Joanne Feeley of Palos Park, Illinois. The Begerts have a son, Bill, a daughter, Kary, and two grandchildren.
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US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
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