Charles A. Gabriel July 1, 1982 - June 30, 1986 Charles A. Gabriel, a USAF visionary, left two legacies from his tenure as the 11th Chief of Staff: first, improving the overall quality of life for Air Force personnel and bringing it closer to that in the civilian sector, and second, the value of joint initiatives, which was widely heralded as a revolutionary approach to create the most affordable and effective air-land combat forces in the world. A 1950 West Point graduate, Gabriel, in 1963, earned a master of science degree in engineering management from George Washington University, Washing
Charles A. Gabriel July 1, 1982 - June 30, 1986 Charles A. Gabriel, a USAF visionary, left two legacies from his tenure as the 11th Chief of Staff: first, improving the overall quality of life for Air Force personnel and bringing it closer to that in the civilian sector, and second, the value of joint initiatives, which was widely heralded as a revolutionary approach to create the most affordable and effective air-land combat forces in the world. A 1950 West Point graduate, Gabriel, in 1963, earned a master of science degree in engineering management from George Washington University, Washington, He flew 100 combat missions in FB51s and FB86s during the Korean War, shooting down two MiGB15s. He also served in Southeast Asia, flying 152 combat missions in FB4s as the Commander of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base. In April 1979, Gabriel returned to Air Force Headquarters as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Readiness. He served as Commander in Chief, United States Air Forces in Europe and simultaneously as Commander of Allied Forces Central Europe at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, from August 1980 to June 1982. Gabriel became Air Force Chief of Staff in July 1982, the first fighter pilot to serve as Chief of Staff. Gabriel was part of a new post-World War II generation of leaders with experience in Korea and Southeast Asia. He believed his top priority as Chief was to take care of Air Force personnel and ensure that the service remained an Aoutstanding way of life.@ In addition, the North Carolina-born Gabriel also served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, contributing his expertise in a dual capacity. In 1984, General Gabriel and his Army counterpart, Gen. John A. Wickham, Jr., signed a landmark agreement on thirty-one joint initiatives for the fielding of the world=s finest air-land combat forces. Their efforts resulted in cost savings through joint programs and enhanced joint capabilities. Further,
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