Retired effective Sep 25, 1996
Major General
Thomas W. Powers is the chief of staff,Headquarters, Ohio Air National Guard, Rickenbacker
ANG Base,Ohio. In this capacity, he directs the military operations of the Ohio ANG and
coordinates with the adjutant's general department for the day to day functioning of the
Ohio ANG.
General Powers graduated from Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio, with a bachelor of science degree in economics and math, in 1968. His military education includes Air Command and Staff College, 1981;and Air War College, 1983.
General Powers enlisted in the 178th Tactical Fighter Group, Ohio ANG, on May 16, 1964. He participated with the 178th Tactical Fighter Group as an air operations specialist and as a command post controller, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He received a commission to the rank of second lieutenant and entered undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. in July 1968. He earned his wings in September 1969, and was assigned to the 162nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the F-84F Thunderstreek aircraft. In 1970, General Powers completed conversion training to the F-100 Super Sabre aircraft, where he remained until he transferred to the166th TFS, Rickenbacker ANGB in December 1974 as an F-1 00 pilot.
While still assigned to the 166th TFS, the general completed conversion training to the A-7D Corsair II aircraft at England AFB, La. in 1975. General Powers participated in numerous overseas deployments and held various positions, including life support officer, flight commander, and operations officer at the 166th TFS. In September 1986, was appointed squadron commander.
The general transferred to the 121st Tactical Fighter Wing as the air operations officer in April1988. He was transferred to Headquarters, Ohio ANG, as director of operations in June 1988. General Powers was selected as the chief of staff, Headquarters, Ohio ANG on April 1, 1992. During the fall of 1992, he completed conversion training for the C-130H aircraft.
General Powers is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the F-84F, F-100, A-7/COR and the C-130H aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze service star, Air Force Training Ribbon, Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters, Ohio Special Services Ribbon, Ohio Award of Merit with #4 device, and the Ohio Basic Military Training Ribbon.
In his civilian capacity, General Powers is vice president and account executive for Banc One Services Corporation.
General Powers' civic affiliations include the Air Force Association, National Order of Daedalians, National Guard Association of the United States, and the Ohio National Guard Association.
General Powers was promoted to and federally recognized as a major general
on September 23,1994.
(Current as of February 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.