John Michael Loh

General, U.S. Air Force

John Michael Loh was born on 14 March 1938, in Washington, DC. He graduated from Gonzaga College High School, Washington, DC, in 1956.

Loh graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1960. On 1 June 1990, he was promoted to the four-star rank of General and his assignments and commands at that rank included:

Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF); 1990-91.

Commander, Tactical Air Command * (COMTAC); 1991-92.

Commander, Air Combat Command (COMACC), 1992-95.

* The Tactical Air Command was deactivated in 1992 and replaced with Air Combat Command; General Loh became its first commander.

General Loh retired from the Air Force on 1 July 1995. During his service, he became a Command Pilot with over 4,300 flying hours in the following fighter aircraft: A-7, F-4C, F-4D, F-4E, F-102, and F-104. He flew 204 combat missions in Vietnam.

Education

1956 Graduate Gonzaga College High School, Washington, DC

1960 Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

1966 Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, NV

1968 Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, CA

1973 Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, MA Institute of Technology

1978 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Effective Dates of Promotions:

Second Lieutenant, 8 June 1960

First Lieutenant, 8 December 1961

Captain, 8 December 1964

Major, 1 September 1970

Lieutenant Colonel, 1 May 1974

Colonel, 1 May 1979

Brigadier General, 1 June 1984

Major General, 1 October 1985

Lieutenant General, 1 August 1988

General, 1 June 1990

Assignments

June 1960 - January 1961, student officer, primary pilot training, Bainbridge Air Force Base, GA.

January 1961 - October 1961, student officer, basic pilot training, Craig Air Force Base, AL.

October 1961 - July 1962, student officer, intercept pilot training, Perrin Air Force Base, TX.

July 1962 - June 1963, pilot, 76th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Westover Air Force Base, MA.

September 1965 - April 1966, pilot, 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

April 1966 - July 1967, pilot, 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

July 1967 - October 1968, test pilot, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

October 1968 - November 1969, pilot, 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam.

November 1969 - May 1972, fighter requirements Staff Officer, Fighter Division, Directorate of Operational Requirements, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC.

June 1972 - August 1973, graduate student, aeronautical engineering, MA Institute of Technology.

August 1973 - January 1975, YF-16/YF-17 Program Manager, Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.

January 1975 - July 1977, Director of Projects, F-16 Program, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.

August 1977 - June 1978, student, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.

June 1978 - July 1979, Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base, LA.

July 1979 - September 1980, Deputy Commander for Operations, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base, LA.

October 1980 - April 1981, Vice Commander, 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England Air Force Base, LA.

April 1981 - April 1983, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, VA.

April 1983 - July 1984, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, VA.

July 1984 - July 1985, Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, VA.

August 1985 - July 1987, Director of Operational Requirements, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC.

July 1987 - July 1988, Vice Commander, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.

August 1988 - June 1990, Commander, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH.

June 1990 - March 1991, Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC.

March 1991 - June 1992, Commander, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, VA.

June 1992 - July 1995, Commander, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, VA.

Medals and Awards

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Distinguished Flying Cross

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal (8Awards)

Air Force Commendation Medal

Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Service Star

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

Badges

Command Pilot Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Honors

• Awarded the Daedalian Fellowship for Graduate Study, 1972.

• Recipient of the 1972 Air Force Research and Development Award.

• Recipient of the Air Force's Eugene M. Zuckert Senior Management Award for 1989.