Retired effective Apr 2, 2000
Major General Loran C.
Schnaidt is the chief of staff, Missouri Air National Guard.
General Schnaidt graduated from Beulah High School in 1959. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1963 with a bachelor of science degree in general studies, and in 1975, received a master of business administration degree from Webster College in St. Louis, Mo. His military education includes Air Command and Staff College, 1975; and the National Security Management Course, 1982.
He began his military career when he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. He graduated from undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas in August 1964. After completing advanced survival training at Stead AFB, Nev., he graduated from helicopter pilot training at the same facility in March 1965. He was first assigned to Detachment 1, Eastern Air Rescue Center, Loring AFB, Maine as an air rescue helicopter pilot from April 1965 until January 1966. In January 1966, he was transferred to the 38th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Cam Rahn Bay Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew as a rescue crew commander, flying combat missions from Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam until January 1967. He was transferred to the 4756 Flying Training Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla. in February 1967 as a pilot until May 1968 and then as an instructor pilot and chief flight examiner in the T-33 for the Air Defense Weapons Center until March 1969. He was released from active duty in May 1969.
In August 1969, he joined the 137th Tactical Air Support Squadron, New York Air National Guard, Westchester, N.Y., as a forward air controller, until February 1973, when he was transferred to inactive reserve status. He joined the 157th Tactical Air Control Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard, St. Louis, Mo. in August 1974 as a fighter duty officer. He had the additional responsibilities of T-33 instructor pilot and flight examiner. In January 1976, he transferred to Headquarters, Missouri ANG, St. Louis, Mo. as an air operations officer. In October 1976, he was reassigned as a standardization evaluation officer for the 131st Tactical Fighter Wing, St. Louis, Mo. In May 1979, he was appointed chief, Command and Control, 131st TFW, St. Louis, Mo. He remained in this position until April 1987 when he was appointed director of operations, Headquarters, Missouri ANG, Jefferson City, Mo. He was appointed as assistant adjutant general, air, Headquarters, Missouri ANG, Jefferson City, Mo. in June 1991. In December 1994, he was appointed to his current position as chief of staff, Headquarters, Missouri ANG, Jefferson City, Mo.
The general is a command pilot with over 5,200 flying hours in the C-12F, T-33, O-2A, U-3, and H-21 aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His state awards include the Missouri National Guard Commendation Ribbon and Missouri Long Service Ribbon.
In his civilian capacity, the general is self-employed as a distributor and manufacturer's representative and consultant.
His civic affiliations include the Air Force Association and the National Guard Associations of the United States and Missouri.
He was promoted to and federally recognized as a major general on Oct. 30, 1997.
(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.