Gen. Merrill “Tony” McPeak, USAF (Ret)

McPeak grew up in Grants Pass, OR and attended San Diego State College where he earned a BA in Economics in 1957. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC and entered active duty in November of 1957.

After completing preflight and pilot training, he flew fighter F-100 SUPER Sabre and F-104 Starfighter aircraft in operational squadrons in the US and UK. He later returned to the US as flight instructor and weapons officer.

From 1966 – 1968 he was assigned as a solo and lead solo pilot with the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s acrobatic flying team. While with the Thunderbirds he performed nearly 200 air shows.

After tour with the Thunderbirds he was assigned as an F-100 pilot with the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phu Cat Air Base in Vietnam. McPeak completed a total of 269 combat missions while in Vietnam, remaining in country until after 1970, after which he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA.

McPeak moved up the ranks serving as chief of staff at US Air Force in Europe from 1981 – 1982 and deputy chief of staff for plans at TAC headquarters in Langley, VA from 1982 – 1985.

McPeak continued his upward rise in the Air Force finally being appointed Air Force chief of staff by President George HW Bush in 1990. McPeak took over as chief of staff during the run-up for Operation Desert Shield, and assisted in overall strategic planning for Operation Desert Storm.

McPeak also acted as Secretary of the Air Force for three weeks in 1993, during an interim before the formal appointment of Sheila E. Widnall, and as of that date was the only person to have ever concurrently served in both capacities. McPeak continued to serve as Chief of Staff through October 1994, retiring afterwards.

Following his Air Force career, McPeak entered the private sector as a consultant and business executive. He has been on the boards of directors for TWA, ECC International, Tektronix and other organizations. McPeak and his wife Ellie currently reside in Lake Oswego, Oregon where he continues to invest and advise companies. Ellie serves as a member of the Lake Oswego City Council.

In 1996, McPeak served as Oregon state chairman for the Bob Dole for President campaign. In 2000 he endorsed George W. Bush and served as co-chairman of Oregon Veterans for Bush. McPeak expressed strong objections with regard to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and openly campaigned for Howard Dean. He later acted as an advisor to the Kerry campaign. He was one of twenty-seven signatories to the statement of the “Committee of Diplomats & Commanders for Change” calling the Bush Administration a failure at “preserving national security. He now is working as a National Co-chair on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

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