LOWRY AFB
The History
Commanders
Original Publication: 04/05/2017 09:16
Last Updated: 01/08/2018 09:29
Lowry
had
33
commanders
during
its
57
years
of
outstanding
service
as
it
grew
from
a
small
Army
Air
Force
Field
to
a
large
U.
S.
Air
Force
Base.
Lowry’s
first
commander
was
an
Army
Lieutenant
Colonel,
its
last
an
Air
Force
Colonel.
During
the
57
years
of
its
existence
the
Base
Commander’s
seat
was
occupied
by
1
Lt.
Col.,
6
Colonels,
7
Brigadier
Generals
(1
Star),
17
Major
Generals
(2
Stars),
1
Lieutenant
General
(3
Stars)
and
1
General
(4
Stars).
These
commanders
transformed
Lowry
from
a
Tuberculosis
Sanatorium
and
open
prairie
to
one
of
the
most
technically
oriented
training
facilities
of
its
time.
Training
missions
associated
with
each
commander’s
term
of
service
would
change
as
necessity
dictated
to
reflect
unfolding
events
around
the
globe,
thus
assuring
the
United
States
would
always be in a position to defend her sovereignty and the well-being of her allies in their time of need.
01. Lieutenant Colonel Harold D. Stetson 2 Sep 37 — 7 Jan 38
Lieutenant
Colonel
Stetson,
then
a
Captain,
commanded
Lowry
Field
when
it
was
known
as
the
Denver
Branch,
Air
Corps
Technical
School.
A
quartermaster
at
Ft.
Logan,
Colorado,
he
was
placed
in
charge
of
activating
the
new
flying
field
and
preparing
the
Agnes
Phipps
Memorial
Sanatorium
buildings
for
use
as
a
school.
Under
his
command,
on
1 October 1937 the United States flag flew over the field for the first time.
02. Major General Junius W. Jones 7 Feb 38 - 30 Jun 38
As
Commandant
of
the
Air
Corps
Technical
School
at
Chanute
Field,
Illinois,
General
Jones,
then
a
Lieutenant
Colonel,
supervised
the
transfer
of
the
Armament
School
and
Photo
School
to
Lowry.
Assigned
to
command
Lowry,
he
met
the
first
cadre
of
students
as
they
arrived
by
train
on
12
February.
Lowry’s
first
class
graduated
from
the
Armament
Department
on
19
March.
The
first
aircraft
—
nine
B-18s
—
landed
on
the
new
runway
on
30 June 1938.
03. Brigadier General Jacob H. Rudolph, 1 Jul 38-12 Oct 40
General
Rudolph
commanded
at
Lowry
Field
while
much
of
its
most
important
early
construction
took
place.
On
19
September
1938,
work
began
on
Hanger
No.
1.
On
7
October
1940,
Lowry
formally
accepted
Budding
349.
Known
as
the
“Brick
Barracks,”
the
structure
housed
Lowry’s
permanent
party
personnel.
Other
construction
included
runways,
NCO/Officer
housing,
and
wood-frame
student
barracks.
Lowry
also
added
a
third department, Clerical, to its training program.
04. Major General Early E. W. Duncan, 31 Oct 40-8 Apr 42
It fell to General Duncan, then Colonel, to announce the Japanese attack at Pearl
Harbor on 7 December 1941 to Lowry personnel and to lead the base to war.
Preparation for that conflict, however, had begun much earlier. The prewar military
draft had its first impact on Lowry 13 July 1941 when more than 1,200 students
arrived — the first massive student increase in the airfield’s history. To handle the
expanded training demands, Lowry began to train under a two-shift system.
05. Brigadier General Harvey S. Burwell, 9 Apr 42 - 14 Apr 43
General
Burwell
commanded
Lowry
during
the
early
part
of
World
War
II.
Aircraft
at
the
field
consisted
of
virtually
every
army
plane
in
the
inventory
including
P-38s,
P-40s,
P-
51s,
B-17s,
and
B-25s.
Students
at
Lowry
also
trained
on
the
Norden
bomb
sight.
The
first
inter-service
training
at
Lowry
of
any
magnitude
began
when
Marines
from
Cherry
Point, North Carolina began receiving instruction in power-operated gun turrets.
06. Brigadier General Albert L. Sneed, 15 Apr 43 --- 18 Aug 44
The
diversity
in
personnel
being
trained
at
Lowry
increased
during
General
Sneed’s
tenure
in
command.
On
17
April
1943,
the
first
class
of
black
airmen
graduated
from
the
Photography
School.
On
the
same
day,
that
school
also
graduated
Lowry’s
first
class
of
females
from
the
Women’s
Army
Air
Corps.
Political
glamour
touched
Lowry
on
24
April
1943
when
President
Franklin
D.
Roosevelt
toured
the
field
as
part
of
an
inspection
tour
of American military facilities.
07. Colonel Raymond P. Todd, 19 Aug 44 — 8 Dec 44
Colonel
Todd
was
actually
interim
commander
from
19
August
until
14
November
and
then
permanent
Commander
until
8
December.
During
his
short
tenure,
Lowry’s
flying
mission
changed
with
arrival
of
the
mighty
four-engined
B-29s.
The
Superfortresses
came
as
a
part
of
the
transfer
of
the
Flight
Engineering
School
from
Smoky
Hill
Air
Field
at
Salina,
Kansas,
in October 1944.
08. Colonel John B. Patrick, 9 Dec 44 — 13 Nov 45
Colonel
Patrick
commanded
Lowry
Field
at
the
end
of
World
War
II
and
supervised
the
transition to a peacetime
Army
Air
Force.
Before
the
war
ended,
Lowry
opened
a
new
school
specializing
in
B-29
crew
training.
On
8
May
1945
however,
Lowry
celebrated
the
surrender
of
Germany
and
the
end
of
war
in
Europe
---
VE
Day.
Colonel
Patrick
announced
the
surrender
of
the
Japanese
on
14
August
1945.
With
the
end
of
World
War
II,
Lowry’s
training
Mission
declined,
the
field
abandoned
its
three-shift
wartime
training
schedule,
and its personnel resumed the slower pace of peacetime operations.
09. Brigadier General Thomas M. Lowe, 14 Nov 45 — 1 Jun 47
Under
General
Lowe,
Lowry
spent
most
of
its
last
days
as
an
army
field.
During
his
tenure,
Lowry
established
Provisional
Squadrons
within
the
regularly
constituted
squadrons.
These
were
designed
to
allow
squadron
commanders
to
exercise
better
supervision
of
personnel.
The
training
program
was
severely
impacted
during
February
1946
by
an
epidemic
of
disease
that
forced
the
schools
to
close
for
two
weeks.
Lowry
received
an
important
visitor
on
17
February
1946
when
General
of
the
Armies
Dwight
D.
Eisenhower toured the facility.
10. Brigadier General Rosenham Beam, 2 Jun 47 - 14 Oct 48
Brigadier
General
Beam,
then
a
Colonel,
supervised
the
transition
from
Lowry
Field
to
Lowry
Air
Force
Base
as
the
Army
Air
Force
became
the
United
States
Air
Force.
President
Harry
S.
Truman
signed
the
National
Security
Act
creating
the
Department
of
Defense
on
26
July
1947.
As
a
result,
the
USAF
came
into
being
on
18
September
1947.
The
effects
at
Lowry
included
creation
of
the
3415th
Technical
Training
Wing
on
26
August
1948
to
serve
as its training organization.
11. Major General Warren R. Carter, 15 Oct 48 — 25 Mar 50
In
the
tranquil
days
prior
to
the
Korean
War,
Lowry
AFB
was
busy
continuing
its
training
for
and
responding
to
the
needs
of
the
newly
established
Air
Force.
General
Carter’s
tenure
in
command
featured
visits
by
two
important
individuals.
On
25
July
1949,
Secretary
of
the
Air
Force
Stuart
Symington
arrived
at
the
base.
On
6
August
1949,
General
Eisenhower
returned to Lowry for a short visit. Mrs. Eisenhower’s family home was in Denver.
12. Brigadier General Charles H. Caldwell, 7 Apr 50 - 10 Nov 50
Under
General
Caldwell,
Lowry
once
again
went
to
war.
In
June
1950,
North
Korean
troops
invaded
South
Korea
and
President
Truman
committed
United
States
forces
to
the
fighting.
Lowry’s
training
mission
intensified
in
support
of
USAF
operations.
In
the
autumn
of
1950,
a
flexible
gunnery
course
was
implemented.
Much
of
Lowry’s
training
mission
began
to
change.
The
addition
of
courses
in
rocket
propulsion
and
missile
guidance
systems
pointed
to
the
future.
The
appearance
of
Lowry
personnel
also
changed
as
new
USAF
blue
uniforms began to replace Army green uniforms.
13. Major General John T. Sprague, 11 Nov 50 — 31 Oct 56
During
General
Sprague’s
tenure,
Lowry’s
training
program
saw
continued
change,
and
Lowry
experienced
a
great
deal
of
glamour.
Older
courses
such
as
aircraft
gunnery
were
discontinued
and
the
teaching
of
new
subjects
like
missile
fundamentals
entered
the
program. Glamour came from a President.
In
1953,
1954,
and
1955,
Lowry
received
national
prominence
as
the
“Summer
White
House”
of
President
Eisenhower
who
made
his
office
in
the
old
administration
building.
More
glamour
was
added
in
1954
when
the
USAF
established
the
Air
Force
Academy
at
Lowry while its permanent buildings were built near Colorado Springs.
14. Major General Eugene P. Mussett, 1 Nov 56 - 31 May 60
While
General
Mussett
commanded
Lowry,
the
Air
Force
Academy
facilities
near
Colorado
Springs
were
completed.
On
30
and
31
August
1958,
the
cadets
moved
to
the
permanent
site.
The
703d
Strategic
Missile
Wing
was
activated
at
Lowry
in
1958
and
in
June
1959
construction
began
on
Titan
missile
sites
on
the
unused
Lowry
Bomb
Range,
later
known
as
Lowry
Missile
Range
No.
1.
At
Lowry,
a
major
organizational
change
occurred
on
1
January
1959;
the
3415th
Technical
Training
Wing
officially
became
Lowry
Technical Training Center.
15. Colonel Ladson K. Eskridge, 1 Jun 60 — 5 Sep 60
Colonel
Eskridge
served
as
interim
commander
of
Lowry
for
three
months
prior
to
the
arrival
of
Major
General
Charles
H.
Anderson.
During
this
period,
Lowry
became
involved
in
America’s
space
program
when
an
SM-68
Reentry
Vehicle
Troubleshooting
Trainer
was
installed.
Accepted
29
July
1960,
this
equipment
provided
Research
and
Development
type information.
16. Major General Charles H. Anderson, 6 Sep 60 - 31 Jul 67
General
Anderson
served
as
Lowry’s
commander
longer
than
any
other
officer.
During
his
tenure,
the
Center
Headquarters
moved
from
Building
256
to
Building
349
on
7
July
1961.
Building
256
was
once
part
of
the
Phipps
Memorial
Sanatorium
that
comprised
the
original
buildings
at
Lowry.
All
the
old
Sanatorium
buildings
were
then
destroyed
except
the
General’s
home.
Between
15
April
and
25
June
1965,
the
Strategic
Air
Command
removed
its
Titan
missiles
and
closed
Lowry
Missile
Range
No.
1.
Perhaps
the
saddest
milestone
of
all
—
on
30
June
1966,
Lowry’s
last
runway
closed.
A
T-29
made
the
last
take-off
and
Lowry’s
flying
mission
closed
forever.
Also
during
June
1966,
Lowry
received
a
new
addition
when
the
3320th
Retraining
Group
transferred
in
from
Amarillo
Technical Training Center, Texas.
17. Major General Dwight 0. Monteith, 2 Aug 67 - 31 Jul 71
The
latter
part
of
General
Monteith’s
tenure
as
commander
was
characterized
by
morale
and
service
related
construction
for
Lowry
personnel.
The
Colorado
National
Bank
opened
a
Lowry
branch
2
January
1971.
This
building
was
followed
by
the
opening
of
Lowry’s
golf
course.
Permanent
party
personnel,
students,
and
the
growing
retired
community
were
served
by
a
new
commissary
opened
on
28
June
1971.
On
the
last
day
of
General
Monteith’s
command,
31
July
1971,
a
military
tradition
ended
at
Lowry
—
the
USAF abolished Kitchen Police (KP) duties.
18. Major General John S. Samuel, 1 Aug 71 - 31 Jul 72
Reflecting
the
trends
of
the
early
1970s,
efforts
toward
enhancing
morale
and
removing
social
inequalities
of
Lowry
personnel
took
place
under
General
Samuel.
On
24
August
1971,
Lowry
established
its
Office
of
Social
Actions.
On
10
September,
the
Human
Relations
Council
held
its
first
meeting.
Ground
breaking
ceremonies
were
held
on
21
May
1972
for
Lowry’s
new
chapel.
Changes
in
the
training
program
continued.
On
1
July
1972,
Lowry
became
home
of
the
USAF
Open
Mess
Management
School
and
USAF
Cook’s
School.
19. General Alton D. Slay, 1 Sep 72 — 5 Sep 73
Construction
for
the
1970s
begun
under
Generals
Monteith
and
Samuel
continued
under
General
Slay.
On
28
December
1972,
Building
400,
a
new
1
000-man
dormitory,
was
completed.
Lowry
also
conducted
a
major
reorganization
of
the
3415th
Maintenance
and
Supply
Group
on
1
March
19
73,
activating
three
new
squadrons:
Transportation,
Supply,
and
Maintenance.
On
1
January
1973,
fourteen
new
USAF
career
specialties
opened
to
Air
Force
women.
Women
in
the
Air
Force
were
thus
accepted
in
all
but
a
few
jobs
involving combat flying.
20. Lieutenant General Charles C. Pattillo, 6 Sep 73 — 7 Aug 75
Under
General
Pattillo,
Lowry
completed
a
new
187-space
mobile
home
park
on
9
June
1974.
The
base
training
mission
changed
slightly
on
16
October
1973
when
the
last
Explosive
Ordnance
Disposal
class
graduated;
responsibility
for
this
training
was
assumed
by
the
U.
S.
Navy.
Much
of
General
Pattillo’s
efforts
were
centered
around
changes
in
the
3320th
Retraining
Group.
On
1
July
1974,
the
3320th
implemented
a
retraining
test
program
for
women.
The
Group
also
moved
into
a
brand
new,
five-building
complex
during the week of 21 April 1974.
21. Major General Warren C. Moore, 8 Aug 75 - 29 Dec 76
Under
General
Moore,
on
30
April
1976
several
training
Departments
---Audiovisual,
Aerospace
Munitions
Training,
Intelligence
Training,
and
Logistics
became,
respectively,
the
3430th,
3460th,
3450th
and
3440th
Technical
Training
Groups.
Lowry
and
Public
Service
Company
of
Colorado
also
began
a
program
to
increase
the
base’s
electrical
capacity
in
anticipation
of
future
training
needs.
On
30
September
1976,
the
new
Air
Force
Accounting
and
Finance
Center
located
on
the
southwest
comer
of
Lowry
was
dedicated.
22. Major General Andrew Pringle, Jr., 30 Dec 76 - 24 Apr 78
The
major
event
of
General
Pringle’s
tenure
in
command
was
the
reorganization
of
the
Technical
Training
Center
implemented
on
1
January
1978.
The
reorganization
was
designed
to
reduce
structural
layering,
lower
the
decision
making
level,
and
streamline
the staff. The reorganization eliminated 91 military and civilian positions.
23. Major General William W. Hoover, 25 Apr 78 - 7 Sep 79
While
General
Hoover
commanded
Lowry,
the
process
of
streamlining
the
training
organization
continued.
The
3420th
and
3430th
Technical
Training
Groups
merged
on
1
June
1978
to
become
the
3420th
Technical
Training
Group.
Also,
on
1
June,
Lowry’s
USAF
Technical
School
received
accreditation
for
a
10-year
period.
The
North
Central
Association
(NCA)
of
Colleges
and
Schools
provided
the
accreditation,
thus
allowing
students to receive college credit for courses taken at Lowry.
Rank and Insignia for U. S. Army and Air Force Officers
24. Major General William B. Maxson, 8 Sep 79 - 13 May 81
During
General
Maxson’s
tenure,
one
element
of
the
1978
reorganization
was
undone;
the
3400th
Technical
Training
Wing
replaced
the
Deputy
Commander
for
training,
thus
enhancing
the
importance
of
the
training
mission.
During
1980
Lowry
received
two
B-52s
and
an
F-16
to
provide
realistic,
hands-on
training
for
students.
On
1
March
1980,
Lowry
implemented
the
Pipeline
Management
System,
a
computer-based
method
of
controlling
the flow of students through the training pipeline.
25. Major General Titus C. Hall, 14 May 81 - 28 April 82
General
Hall
commanded
Lowry
Technical
Training
Center
(LTTC)
during
a
period
that
saw
a
rapid
increase
in
student
population.
To
support
this
increase
required
major
emphasis
on
upgrading
the
aircraft
training
fleet
and
Lowry
facilities.
General
Hall’s
personal
involvement
helped
LTTC
secure
a
modern
A-10
Thunderbolt
II,
F-16
Fighting
Falcon,
and
an
F-4E
Phantom
in
support
of
technical
training.
The
Center
opened
the
new
Avionics
Training
Building,
and
re-roofed
Hangers
#1
and
#2.
General
Hall
directed
creation
of
a
new
INTRO
Building
to
provide
a
single
point
of
contact
for
all
personnel
entering
Lowry.
In
support
of
recreational
activities,
Lowry’s
initial
construction
opened
a
new
solar
pavilion
for
picnics
and
a
modern
bowling
alley.
General
Hall’s
personal
interest
led
to
Chapel
#1
becoming
a
Denver
Historical
Landmark,
and
the
Department
of the Interior listed it on the National Register of Historic Places.
26. Major General William R. Usher, 1 June 1982 - 14 August 1985
Major
General
William
R.
Usher
served
as
the
LTTC
Commander
from
1
June
1982
until
14
August
1985.
He
stressed
excellence
in
training
and
the
need
for
wartime
readiness.
Equally
important
to
General
Usher
was
instilling
the
proper
military
attitude
in
the
Center's
young
students
and
providing
them
with
a
positive
environment
at
Lowry.
Lowry
became
the
major
training
facility
for
space
operations
and
planned
courses
for
new
Air
Force
weapons
systems,
for
example,
the
B-1B
bomber
and
the
Peacekeeper
ICBM.
LTTC
received
MCI
ratings
of
“Excellent”
in
1983
and
again
in
1984.
Other
initiatives
by
General
Usher
included
modernizing
Intelligence
Training,
promoting
quality of life at Lowry, and reducing energy consumption.
27. Major General Joseph D. Moore, 15 August 1985 - 16 October 1986
Major General Joseph D. Moore directed Lowry Technical Training Center from 15 August
1985 through 16 October 1986. Under his leadership, the Center implemented
Undergraduate Space Training, prepared for the transfer of Intelligence Training to
Goodfellow AFB, accepted a new Peacekeeper training facility, and introduced new and
enhanced courses for the B-1B, F-lll, and Peacekeeper. General Moore's quality of life
initiatives included establishing new base security procedures, renovating base housing
and living quarters, upgrading base dining facilities, promoting in-state college tuition
benefits for Lowry personnel, increasing safety awareness, and developing the Dillon
Recreation Area.
28. Major General Larry N. Tibbetts, 17 October 1986 - 27 May 1988
Major
General
Larry
N.
Tibbetts
served
as
Commander
of
Lowry
Technical
Training
Center
from
17
October
1986
to
27
May
1988.
During
his
tenure
he
stressed
preparation
of
combat-ready,
technically-qualified
people
for
the
armed
forces;
organized
a
military
Tattoo,
drill
team,
and
drum
and
bugle
corps;
celebrated
Lowry's
50th
Anniversary;
refurbished
the
Eisenhower
Chapel
and
D.V.
quarters;
and
dedicated
a
Student
Ministry
Center.
General
Tibbetts'
leadership
contributed
greatly
to
LTTC's
noteworthy
MCI
and
UEI
performance
in
1987.
He
was
instrumental
in
development
of
the
Undergraduate
Space
Training
program
and
presided
at
the
first
class'
graduation.
With
Lowry's
removal
from
the
DOD
base
closure
list,
General
Tibbetts
worked
with
HQ
ATC
and
Colorado
Congressmen
to
restore
almost
$22
million
in
construction
projects
for FY88 and 89.
30. Major General Fred R. Nelson, 4 March 1991 - 31 July 1992
Major
General
Fred
R.
Nelson
served
as
the
Center
Commander
from
4
March
1991
to
31
July
1992.
Under
his
leadership,
Center
personnel
demonstrated
excellence
in
technical
training,
including
earning
top
honors
in
Air
Training
Command
s
first
TOP
TECH
competition,
improving
training
efficiency
with
Project
TRAINING
RELOOK,"
and
surpassing
command
goals
for
instructor
academic
achievement.
General
Nelson
reorganized
the
Center
to
meet
Air
Force
wing
structure
objectives
for
enhancing
efficiency
and
effectiveness
of
operations.
His
Quality
Air
Force
initiatives
improved
training
support
and
the
quality
of
life
for
Lowry
personnel.
In
beginning
the
transition
for
the
Lowry
Air
Force
Base
closure
in
1994,
General
Nelson
worked
with
local
community officials to plan for the reuse of land and facilities.
31. Major General Jay D. Blume, Jr., 1 Aug 92 - 27 Apr 94
Under
the
command
of
Major
General
Blume,
Lowry
underwent
major
changes
which
included
gearing
the
base
up
for
closure
and
transferring
technical
training
squadrons
missions'
to
various
gaining
bases.
He
also
formed
a
partnership
with
local
communities
to
promote
viable
plans
for
base
reuse.
He
instituted
a
civilian
reemployment
plan
which
successfully
placed
nearly
100
percent
of
the
Lowry
civilian
work
force
with
new
positions.
His
commitment
to
Quality
Air
Force
nurtured
an
environment
of
trust,
teamwork
and
empowerment
throughout
Lowry
for
people
to
manage
Air
Force
resources.
32. Colonel Michael J. Wright, 28 Apr 94 - 30 Sep 94
Colonel
Wright
completed
the
closure
of
Lowry
AFB.
Under
his
guidance,
428
buildings
were
closed
while
4000
tons
of
resources
were
packaged
and
shipped
to
other
bases.
He
managed
the
smooth
transfer
of
property
and
equipment
to
the
local
community
and
worked
closely
with
the
Base
Closure
Agency
and
the
Lowry
Redevelopment
Authority
to
promote
the
sound
reuse
of
Lowry
resources.
Colonel
Wright
focused
his
concern
on
the
employees
of
Lowry
and
facilitated
their
transition
to
other
employment.
He
orchestrated
an
inactivation
and
closure
ceremony
that
will
remain
a
lasting
tribute
to
legacy of Lowry Air Force Base and the support of the surrounding communities.
33. Colonel George F. Garrison, 3 Aug 92 – 30 Sep 94
Support Group Commander for Closure.
Lowry AFB
The History
Commanders
Lowry
had
33
commanders
during
its
57
years
of
outstanding
service
as
it
grew
from
a
small
Army
Air
Force
Field
to
a
large
U.
S.
Air
Force
Base.
Lowry’s
first
commander
was
an
Army
Lieutenant
Colonel,
its
last
an
Air
Force
Colonel.
During
the
57
years
of
its
existence
the
Base
Commander’s
seat
was
occupied
by
1
Lt.
Col.,
6
Colonels,
7
Brigadier
Generals
(1
Star),
17
Major
Generals
(2
Stars),
1
Lieutenant
General
(3
Stars)
and
1
General
(4
Stars).
These
commanders
transformed
Lowry
from
a
Tuberculosis
Sanatorium
and
open
prairie
to
one
of
the
most
technically
oriented
training
facilities
of
its
time.
Training
missions
associated
with
each
commander’s
term
of
service
would
change
as
necessity
dictated
to
reflect
unfolding
events
around
the
globe,
thus
assuring
the
United
States
would
always
be
in
a
position
to
defend
her
sovereignty
and
the
well-being
of
her
allies
in
their time of need.
Rank and Insignia for U. S. Army and Air Force Officers
01. Lieutenant Colonel Harold D. Stetson
2 Sep 37 - 7 Jan 38
Lieutenant
Colonel
Stetson,
then
a
Captain,
commanded
Lowry
Field
when
it
was
known
as
the
Denver
Branch,
Air
Corps
Technical
School.
A
quartermaster
at
Ft.
Logan,
Colorado,
he
was
placed
in
charge
of
activating
the
new
flying
field
and
preparing
the
Agnes
Phipps
Memorial
Sanitarium
buildings
for
use
as
a
school.
Under
his
command,
on
1
October
1937
the United States flag flew over the field for the first time.
02. Major General Junius W. Jones
7 Feb 38 - 30 Jun 38
As
Commandant
of
the
Air
Corps
Technical
School
at
Chanute
Field,
Illinois,
General
Jones,
then
a
Lieutenant
Colonel,
supervised
the
transfer
of
the
Armament
School
and
Photo
School
to
Lowry.
Assigned
to
command
Lowry,
he
met
the
first
cadre
of
students
as
they
arrived
by
train
on
12
February.
Lowry’s
first
class
graduated
from
the
Armament
Department
on
19
March.
The
first
aircraft
—
nine
B-18s
—
landed
on
the
new
runway
on
30
June
1938.
03. Brigadier General Jacob H. Rudolph
1 Jul 38 - 12 Oct 40
General
Rudolph
commanded
at
Lowry
Field
while
much
of
its
most
important
early
construction
took
place.
On
19
September
1938,
work
began
on
Hanger
No.
1.
On
7
October
1940,
Lowry
formally
accepted
Budding
349.
Known
as
the
“Brick
Barracks,”
the
structure
housed
Lowry’s
permanent
party
personnel.
Other
construction
included
runways,
NCO/Officer
housing,
and
wood-frame
student
barracks.
Lowry
also
added
a
third
department,
Clerical,
to
its training program.
04. Major General Early E. W. Duncan
31 Oct 40 - 8 Apr 42
It
fell
to
General
Duncan,
then
Colonel,
to
announce
the
Japanese
attack
at
Pearl
Harbor
on
7
December
1941
to
Lowry
personnel
and
to
lead
the
base
to
war.
Preparation
for
that
conflict,
however,
had
begun
much
earlier.
The
prewar
military
draft
had
its
first
impact
on
Lowry
13
July
1941
when
more
than
1,200
students
arrived
—
the
first
massive
student
increase
in
the
airfield’s
history.
To
handle
the
expanded
training
demands,
Lowry began to train under a two-shift system.
05. Brigadier General Harvey S. Burwell
9 Apr 42 - 14 Apr 43
General
Burwell
commanded
Lowry
during
the
early
part
of
World
War
II.
Aircraft
at
the
field
consisted
of
virtually
every
army
plane
in
the
inventory
including
P-38s,
P-40s,
P-51s,
B-17s,
and
B-25s.
Students
at
Lowry
also
trained
on
the
Norden
bomb
sight.
The
first
inter-service
training
at
Lowry
of
any
magnitude
began
when
Marines
from
Cherry
Point,
North
Carolina
began receiving instruction in power-operated gun turrets.
06. Brigadier General Albert L. Sneed
15 Apr 43 - 18 Aug 44
The
diversity
in
personnel
being
trained
at
Lowry
increased
during
General
Sneed’s
tenure
in
command.
On
17
April
1943,
the
first
class
of
black
airmen
graduated
from
the
Photography
School.
On
the
same
day,
that
school
also
graduated
Lowry’s
first
class
of
females
from
the
Women’s
Army
Air
Corps.
Political
glamour
touched
Lowry
on
24
April
1943
when
President
Franklin
D.
Roosevelt
toured
the
field
as
part
of
an
inspection
tour
of
American military facilities.
07. Colonel Raymond P. Todd
19 Aug 44 - 8 Dec 44
Colonel
Todd
was
actually
interim
commander
from
19
August
until
14
November
and
then
permanent
Commander
until
8
December.
During
his
short
tenure,
Lowry’s
flying
mission
changed
with
arrival
of
the
mighty
four-engined
B-
29s.
The
Superfortresses
came
as
a
part
of
the
transfer
of
the
Flight
Engineering
School
from
Smoky
Hill
Air
Field
at
Salina,
Kansas,
in
October 1944.
08. Colonel John B. Patrick
9 Dec 44 — 13 Nov 45
Colonel
Patrick
commanded
Lowry
Field
at
the
end
of
World
War II and supervised the transition to a peacetime
A
r
m
y
Air
Force.
Before
the
war
ended,
Lowry
opened
a
new
school
specializing
in
B-29
crew
training.
On
8
May
1945
however,
Lowry
celebrated
the
surrender
of
Germany
and
the
end
of
war
in
Europe
---
VE
Day.
Colonel
Patrick
announced
the
surrender
of
the
Japanese
on
14
August
1945.
With
the
end
of
World
War
II,
Lowry’s
training
Mission
declined,
the
field
abandoned
its
three-shift
wartime
training
schedule,
and its personnel resumed the slower pace of peacetime operations.
09. Brigadier General Thomas M. Lowe
14 Nov 45 — 1 Jun 47
Under
General
Lowe,
Lowry
spent
most
of
its
last
days
as
an
army
field.
During
his
tenure,
Lowry
established
Provisional
Squadrons
within
the
regularly
constituted
squadrons.
These
were
designed
to
allow
squadron
commanders
to
exercise
better
supervision
of
personnel.
The
training
program
was
severely
impacted
during
February
1946
by
an
epidemic
of
disease
that
forced
the
schools
to
close
for
two
weeks.
Lowry
received
an
important
visitor
on
17
February
1946
when
General
of
the
Armies
Dwight
D.
Eisenhower
toured
the
facility.
10. Brigadier General Rosenham Beam
2 Jun 47 - 14 Oct 48
Brigadier
General
Beam,
then
a
Colonel,
supervised
the
transition
from
Lowry
Field
to
Lowry
Air
Force
Base
as
the
Army
Air
Force
became
the
United
States
Air
Force.
President
Harry
S.
Truman
signed
the
National
Security
Act
creating
the
Department
of
Defense
on
26
July
1947.
As
a
result,
the
USAF
came
into
being
on
18
September
1947.
The
effects
at
Lowry
included
creation
of
the
3415th
Technical
Training
Wing
on
26
August 1948 to serve as its training organization.
11. Major General Warren R. Carter
15 Oct 48 — 25 Mar 50
In
the
tranquil
days
prior
to
the
Korean
War,
Lowry
AFB
was
busy
continuing
its
training
for
and
responding
to
the
needs
of
the
newly
established
Air
Force.
General
Carter’s
tenure
in
command
featured
visits
by
two
important
individuals.
On
25
July
1949,
Secretary
of
the
Air
Force
Stuart
Symington
arrived
at
the
base.
On
6
August
1949,
General
Eisenhower
returned
to Lowry for a short visit. Mrs. Eisenhower’s family home was in Denver.
12. Brigadier General Charles H. Caldwell
7 Apr 50 - 10 Nov 50
Under
General
Caldwell,
Lowry
once
again
went
to
war.
In
June
1950,
North
Korean
troops
invaded
South
Korea
and
President
Truman
committed
United
States
forces
to
the
fighting.
Lowry’s
training
mission
intensified
in
support
of
USAF
operations.
In
the
autumn
of
1950,
a
flexible
gunnery
course
was
implemented.
Much
of
Lowry’s
training
mission
began
to
change.
The
addition
of
courses
in
rocket
propulsion
and
missile
guidance
systems
pointed
to
the
future.
The
appearance
of
Lowry
personnel
also
changed as new USAF blue uniforms began to replace Army green uniforms.
13. Major General John T. Sprague
11 Nov 50 — 31 Oct 56
During
General
Sprague’s
tenure,
Lowry’s
training
program
saw
continued
change,
and
Lowry
experienced
a
great
deal
of
glamour.
Older
courses
such
as
aircraft
gunnery
were
discontinued
and
the
teaching
of
new
subjects
like
missile
fundamentals
entered
the
program.
Glamour
came
from
a
President.
In
1953,
1954,
and
1955,
Lowry
received
national
prominence
as
the
“Summer
White
House”
of
President
Eisenhower
who
made
his
office
in
the
old
administration
building.
More
glamour
was
added
in
1954
when
the
USAF
established
the
Air
Force
Academy
at
Lowry
while
its
permanent
buildings were built near Colorado Springs.
14. Major General Eugene P. Mussett
1 Nov 56 - 31 May 60
While
General
Mussett
commanded
Lowry,
the
Air
Force
Academy
facilities
near
Colorado
Springs
were
completed.
On
30
and
31
August
1958,
the
cadets
moved
to
the
permanent
site.
The
703d
Strategic
Missile
Wing
was
activated
at
Lowry
in
1958
and
in
June
1959
construction
began
on
Titan
missile
sites
on
the
unused
Lowry
Bomb
Range,
later
known
as
Lowry
Missile
Range
No.
1.
At
Lowry,
a
major
organizational
change
occurred
on
1
January
1959;
the
3415th
Technical
Training
Wing
officially
became Lowry Technical Training Center.
15. Colonel Ladson K. Eskridge
1 Jun 60 — 5 Sep 60
Colonel
Eskridge
served
as
interim
commander
of
Lowry
for
three
months
prior
to
the
arrival
of
Major
General
Charles
H.
Anderson.
During
this
period,
Lowry
became
involved
in
America’s
space
program
when
an
SM-68
Reentry
Vehicle
Troubleshooting
Trainer
was
installed.
Accepted
29
July
1960,
this
equipment
provided
Research
and Development type information.
16. Major General Charles H. Anderson
6 Sep 60 - 31 Jul 67
General
Anderson
served
as
Lowry’s
commander
longer
than
any
other
officer.
During
his
tenure,
the
Center
Headquarters
moved
from
Building
256
to
Building
349
on
7
July
1961.
Building
256
was
once
part
of
the
Phipps
Memorial
Sanitarium
that
comprised
the
original
buildings
at
Lowry.
All
the
old
sanitarium
buildings
were
then
destroyed
except
the
General’s
home.
Between
15
April
and
25
June
1965,
the
Strategic
Air
Command
removed
its
Titan
missiles
and
closed
Lowry
Missile
Range
No.
1.
Perhaps
the
saddest
milestone
of
all
—
on
30
June
1966,
Lowry’s
last
runway
closed.
A
T-29
made
the
last
take-off
and
Lowry’s
flying
mission
closed
forever.
Also
during
June
1966,
Lowry
received
a
new
addition
when
the
3320th
Retraining
Group
transferred in from Amarillo Technical Training Center, Texas.
17. Major General Dwight 0. Monteith
2 Aug 67 - 31 Jul 71
The
latter
part
of
General
Monteith’s
tenure
as
commander
was
characterized
by
morale
and
service
related
construction
for
Lowry
personnel.
The
Colorado
National
Bank
opened
a
Lowry
branch
2
January
1971.
This
building
was
followed
by
the
opening
of
Lowry’s
golf
course.
Permanent
party
personnel,
students,
and
the
growing
retired
community
were
served
by
a
new
commissary
opened
on
28
June
1971.
On
the
last
day
of
General
Monteith’s
command,
31
July
1971,
a
military
tradition
ended at Lowry — the USAF abolished Kitchen Police (KP) duties.
18. Major General John S. Samuel
1 Aug 71 - 31 Jul 72
Reflecting
the
trends
of
the
early
1970s,
efforts
toward
enhancing
morale
and
removing
social
inequalities
of
Lowry
personnel
took
place
under
General
Samuel.
On
24
August
1971,
Lowry
established
its
Office
of
Social
Actions.
On
10
September,
the
Human
Relations
Council
held
its
first
meeting.
Ground
breaking
ceremonies
were
held
on
21
May
1972
for
Lowry’s
new
chapel.
Changes
in
the
training
program
continued.
On
1
July
1972,
Lowry
became
home
of
the
USAF
Open
Mess
Management
School
and
USAF
Cook’s School.
19. General Alton D. Slay
1 Sep 72 — 5 Sep 73
Construction
for
the
1970s
begun
under
Generals
Monteith
and
Samuel
continued
under
General
Slay.
On
28
December
1972,
Building
400,
a
new
1,000-man
dormitory,
was
completed.
Lowry
also
conducted
a
major
reorganization
of
the
3415th
Maintenance
and
Supply
Group
on
1
March
19
73,
activating
three
new
squadrons:
Transportation,
Supply,
and
Maintenance.
On
1
January
1973,
fourteen
new
USAF
career
specialties
opened
to
Air
Force
women.
Women
in
the
Air
Force
were
thus
accepted
in
all
but
a
few
jobs
involving combat flying.
20. Lieutenant General Charles C. Pattillo
6 Sep 73 — 7 Aug 75
Under
General
Pattillo,
Lowry
completed
a
new
187-space
mobile
home
park
on
9
June
1974.
The
base
training
mission
changed
slightly
on
16
October
1973
when
the
last
Explosive
Ordnance
Disposal
class
graduated;
responsibility
for
this
training
was
assumed
by
the
U.
S.
Navy.
Much
of
General
Pattillo’s
efforts
were
centered
around
changes
in
the
3320th
Retraining
Group.
On
1
July
1974,
the
3320th
implemented
a
retraining
test
program
for
women.
The
Group
also
moved
into
a
brand
new,
five-building
complex during the week of 21 April 1974.
21. Major General Warren C. Moore
8 Aug 75 - 29 Dec 76
Under
General
Moore,
on
30
April
1976
several
training
Departments
---
Audiovisual,
Aerospace
Munitions
Training,
Intelligence
Training,
and
Logistics
became,
respectively,
the
3430th,
3460th,
3450th
and
3440th
Technical
Training
Groups.
Lowry
and
Public
Service
Company
of
Colorado
also
began
a
program
to
increase
the
base’s
electrical
capacity
in
anticipation
of
future
training
needs.
On
30
September
1976,
the
new
Air
Force
Accounting
and
Finance
Center
located
on
the
southwest
comer
of
Lowry
was
dedicated.
22. Major General Andrew Pringle, Jr.
30 Dec 76 - 24 Apr 78
The
major
event
of
General
Pringle’s
tenure
in
command
was
the
reorganization
of
the
Technical
Training
Center
implemented
on
1
January
1978.
The
reorganization
was
designed
to
reduce
structural
layering,
lower
the
decision
making
level,
and
streamline
the
staff.
The
reorganization
eliminated 91 military and civilian positions.
23. Major General William W. Hoover
25 Apr 78 - 7 Sep 79
While
General
Hoover
commanded
Lowry,
the
process
of
streamlining
the
training
organization
continued.
The
3420th
and
3430th
Technical
Training
Groups
merged
on
1
June
1978
to
become
the
3420th
Technical
Training
Group.
Also,
on
1
June,
Lowry’s
USAF
Technical
School
received
accreditation
for
a
10-year
period.
The
North
Central
Association
(NCA)
of
Colleges
and
Schools
provided
the
accreditation,
thus
allowing students to receive college credit for courses taken at Lowry.
24. Major General William B. Maxson
8 Sep 79 - 13 May 81
During
General
Maxson’s
tenure,
one
element
of
the
1978
reorganization
was
undone;
the
3400th
Technical
Training
Wing
replaced
the
Deputy
Commander
for
training,
thus
enhancing
the
importance
of
the
training
mission.
During
1980
Lowry
received
two
B-52s
and
an
F-16
to
provide
realistic,
hands-on
training
for
students.
On
1
March
1980,
Lowry
implemented
the
Pipeline
Management
System,
a
computer-based
method
of
controlling the flow of students through the training pipeline.
25. Major General Titus C. Hall
14 May 81 - 28 April 82
General
Hall
commanded
Lowry
Technical
Training
Center
(LTTC)
during
a
period
that
saw
a
rapid
increase
in
student
population.
To
support
this
increase
required
major
emphasis
on
upgrading
the
aircraft
training
fleet
and
Lowry
facilities.
General
Hall’s
personal
involvement
helped
LTTC
secure
a
modern
A-10
Thunderbolt
II,
F-16
Fighting
Falcon,
and
an
F-4E
Phantom
in
support
of
technical
training.
The
Center
opened
the
new
Avionics
Training
Building,
and
re-roofed
Hangers
#1
and
#2.
General
Hall
directed
creation
of
a
new
INTRO
Building
to
provide
a
single
point
of
contact
for
all
personnel
entering
Lowry.
In
support
of
recreational
activities,
Lowry’s
initial
construction
opened
a
new
solar
pavilion
for
picnics
and
a
modern
bowling
alley.
General
Hall’s
personal
interest
led
to
Chapel
#1
becoming
a
Denver
Historical
Landmark,
and
the
Department
of
the
Interior
listed
it
on
the
National
Register
of
Historic Places.
26. Major General William R. Usher
1 June 1982 - 14 August 1985
Major
General
William
R.
Usher
served
as
the
LTTC
Commander
from
1
June
1982
until
14
August
1985.
He
stressed
excellence
in
training
and
the
need
for
wartime
readiness.
Equally
important
to
General
Usher
was
instilling
the
proper
military
attitude
in
the
Center's
young
students
and
providing
them
with
a
positive
environment
at
Lowry.
Lowry
became
the
major
training
facility
for
space
operations
and
planned
courses
for
new
Air
Force
weapons
systems,
for
example,
the
B-1B
bomber
and
the
Peacekeeper
ICBM.
LTTC
received
MCI
ratings
of
“Excellent”
in
1983
and
again
in
1984.
Other
initiatives
by
General
Usher
included
modernizing
Intelligence
Training, promoting quality of life at Lowry, and reducing energy consumption.
27. Major General Joseph D. Moore
15 August 1985 - 16 October 1986
Major
General
Joseph
D.
Moore
directed
Lowry
Technical
Training
Center
from
15
August
1985
through
16
October
1986.
Under
his
leadership,
the
Center
implemented
Undergraduate
Space
Training,
prepared
for
the
transfer
of
Intelligence
Training
to
Goodfellow
AFB,
accepted
a
new
Peacekeeper
training
facility,
and
introduced
new
and
enhanced
courses
for
the
B-1B,
F-lll,
and
Peacekeeper.
General
Moore's
quality
of
life
initiatives
included
establishing
new
base
security
procedures,
renovating
base
housing
and
living
quarters,
upgrading
base
dining
facilities,
promoting
in-state
college
tuition
benefits
for
Lowry
personnel,
increasing safety awareness, and developing the Dillon Recreation Area.
28. Major General Larry N. Tibbetts
17 October 1986 - 27 May 1988
Major
General
Larry
N.
Tibbetts
served
as
Commander
of
Lowry
Technical
Training
Center
from
17
October
1986
to
27
May
1988.
During
his
tenure
he
stressed
preparation
of
combat-ready,
technically-qualified
people
for
the
armed
forces;
organized
a
military
Tattoo,
drill
team,
and
drum
and
bugle
corps;
celebrated
Lowry's
50th
Anniversary;
refurbished
the
Eisenhower
Chapel
and
D.V.
quarters;
and
dedicated
a
Student
Ministry
Center.
General
Tibbetts'
leadership
contributed
greatly
to
LTTC's
noteworthy
MCI
and
UEI
performance
in
1987.
He
was
instrumental
in
development
of
the
Undergraduate
Space
Training
program
and
presided
at
the
first
class'
graduation.
With
Lowry's
removal
from
the
DOD
base
closure
list,
General
Tibbetts
worked
with
HQ
ATC
and
Colorado
Congressmen
to
restore almost $22 million in construction projects for FY88 and 89.
30. Major General Fred R. Nelson
4 March 1991 - 31 July 1992
Major
General
Fred
R.
Nelson
served
as
the
Center
Commander
from
4
March
1991
to
31
July
1992.
Under
his
leadership,
Center
personnel
demonstrated
excellence
in
technical
training,
including
earning
top
honors
in
Air
Training
Command
s
first
TOP
TECH
competition,
improving
training
efficiency
with
Project
TRAINING
RELOOK,"
and
surpassing
command
goals
for
instructor
academic
achievement.
General
Nelson
reorganized
the
Center
to
meet
Air
Force
wing
structure
objectives
for
enhancing
efficiency
and
effectiveness
of
operations.
His
Quality
Air
Force
initiatives
improved
training
support
and
the
quality
of
life
for
Lowry
personnel.
In
beginning
the
transition
for
the
Lowry
Air
Force
Base
closure
in
1994,
General
Nelson
worked
with local community officials to plan for the reuse of land and facilities.
31. Major General Jay D. Blume, Jr.
1 Aug 92 - 27 Apr 94
Under
the
command
of
Major
General
Blume,
Lowry
underwent
major
changes
which
included
gearing
the
base
up
for
closure
and
transferring
technical
training
squadrons
missions'
to
various
gaining
bases.
He
also
formed
a
partnership
with
local
communities
to
promote
viable
plans
for
base
reuse.
He
instituted
a
civilian
reemployment
plan
which
successfully
placed
nearly
100
percent
of
the
Lowry
civilian
work
force
with
new
positions.
His
commitment
to
Quality
Air
Force
nurtured
an
environment
of
trust,
teamwork
and
empowerment
throughout
Lowry
for
people
to
manage
Air
Force resources.
32. Colonel Michael J. Wright
28 Apr 94 - 30 Sep 94
Colonel
Wright
completed
the
closure
of
Lowry
AFB.
Under
his
guidance,
428
buildings
were
closed
while
4000
tons
of
resources
were
packaged
and
shipped
to
other
bases.
He
managed
the
smooth
transfer
of
property
and
equipment
to
the
local
community
and
worked
closely
with
the
Base
Closure
Agency
and
the
Lowry
Redevelopment
Authority
to
promote
the
sound
reuse
of
Lowry
resources.
Colonel
Wright
focused
his
concern
on
the
employees
of
Lowry
and
facilitated
their
transition
to
other
employment.
He
orchestrated
an
inactivation
and
closure
ceremony
that
will
remain
a
lasting
tribute
to
legacy
of
Lowry
Air
Force
Base
and
the
support
of
the
surrounding
communities.
33. Colonel George F. Garrison
3 Aug 92 – 30 Sep 94
Support Group Commander for Closure.
Last Updated: 01/08/2018 09:29
