Brigadier General Ronald E. Shoopman is the commander of the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard Base located at the Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Arizona. General Shoopman was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Arizona State University in Tempe and received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program at ASU. After completing pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, in 1973, General Shoopman had various assignments as an A-7D pilot at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. He joined the then 162nd Fighter Group in 1978 and has held various staff positions. General Shoopman has served as the chief of Standardization and Evaluation, commander of the International Military Training Squadron and the assistant deputy commander for operations. In 1993, he became the deputy commander for operations and the vice commander of the now 162nd Fighter Wing in 1994. He became the wing commander on January 22, 1999. He is a command pilot with more than 3,600 civilian flying hours.
1972 Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.
1991 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence)
1995 Air War College (Seminar)
1. June 1972-June 1973, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams Air
Force Base, Ariz.
2. Aug 1973-Jan 1974, student, A-7D Training, 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan
Air Force Base, Ariz.
3. Jan 1974-May 1974, pilot, 358th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base, Ariz.
4. May 1974-Jan 1976, administrative officer, 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan
Air Force Base, Ariz.
5. Jan 1976-Jan 1978, wing simulator officer, 355th Tactical Training Squadron, Davis-Monthan
Air Force Base, Ariz.
6. Jan 1978-Jan 1982, group standardization and evaluation officer, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona
Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
7. Feb 1987-May 1988, airspace manager and federal aviation administration liaison
officer, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
8. May 1988-Aug 1989, director of standardization and evaluation, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona
Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
9. Aug 1989-Aug 1991, chief of standardization and evaluation, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona
Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
10. Aug 1991-Mar 1992, commander, International Military Training Squadron, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona
Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
11. Mar 1992-Nov 93, assistant deputy commander for operations, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona
Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
12. Nov 1993-Nov 1994, deputy commander for operations, 162nd Fighter Group, Arizona
Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
13. Nov 1994-Jan 1999, vice commander, 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National
Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
14. Jan 1999-Present, commander, 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Ariz.
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 3,600
Aircraft flown: T-41; T-37, T-38; AT-33; A-7D; F-16A; F-16C
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four oak leak clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Second Lieutenant February 18, 1972
First Lieutenant August 18, 1973
Captain June 20, 1976
Major February 1989
Lieutenant Colonel March 23, 1992
Colonel June 9, 1995
Brigadier General October 7, 2001
(Current as of January 2003)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.