Retired effective October 31, 1990
Brigadier General George A. Franzen was the commander of the 140th Tactical Fighter Wing, Colorado Air National Guard, Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colorado. He is responsible for the administration and supervision of the wing and the 1,600 members in its subordinate units, ensuring combat readiness in the mobilization missions, and as Air Commander is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Buckley Air National Guard Base.
The general was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through the Ohio State University Air Force Reserve Officer Training program in June of 1961 and entered undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. He began his flying career flying the F-100 at Cannon Air Force Base. New Mexico. He next reported to RAF Woodbridge, UK where he became an instructor pilot and flight examiner. From there he went to Vietnam as an F-100 pilot, instructor and flight commander, completing 237 combat missions. After a 16 month break in service he joined the Iowa Air National Guard as an F-100 pilot in 1970. He was hired as a full time technician by the Michigan Air National Guard, 127th Tactical Fighter Group in 1972 as the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation Officer during their conversion to the F-100. He joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 1974 as the full time technician Chief of Standardization and Evaluation Officer. He also served as the 120 Tactical Fighter Squadron Operations Officer and the 140th Tactical Fighter Wing Deputy Commander for Operations. He was assigned at the 140th Tactical Wing Commander in 1981 and promoted to Brigadier General in 1983. He served as a member of the Tactical Air Reserve Policy and Advisory Council 1984 - 1990 and as a member of the Air Directorate Field Advisory Council 1986 - 1988 and Chairman 1988 - 1990. In 1990 he was appointed to the Air Reserve Forces Policy Committee. He is a command pilot with over 5,000 hours flying the T-37, T-33, F-100C/D/F, A7D/K and the T-43.
1961 Bachelor of Science in Education, Mathematic major from Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio
1967 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
1975 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1976 Air War College, by correspondence
1. July 1961 - August 1962 undergraduate pilot training, 3576th Student Squadron. Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. August 1962 - May 1963 F-100 operational training course, 4510th Combat Crew Readiness Training Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
3. May 1963 - June 1965 F-100 Pilot, 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N. Mex.
4. June 1965 - June 1968 F-100 Pilot, 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron, RAF Woodbridge, UK.
5. June 1968 - April 1969 F-100 Pilot, 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam
6. August 1970 - June 1972 F-100 Pilot, 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Sioux City MAP, Sioux City Iowa.
7. June 1972 - February 1974 F100 Instructor Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 127th Tactical Fighter Group, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
8. February 1994 - July 1978 Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 140th Tactical Fighter Wing. Buckley Air National Base, Colo.
9. June 1978 - April 1979, 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron Operations Officer, Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colo.
10. April 1979 - December 1981, 140th Tactical Fighter Wing, Deputy Commander for Operations. Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colo.
11. December 1981 - August 1990, Tactical Fighter Wing Commander, Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colo.
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,000: 237 combat missions
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-33, F-100C/D/F, A7D/K, T-43
Pilot wings from: Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Armed Force Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Ready Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one oak leaf cluster
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Second Lieutenant Jun 9, 1961
First Lieutenant Jan 14, 1963
Captain Jan 14,1966
Major Nov 28, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Feb 23,1978
Colonel Feb 25, 1981
Brigadier General Jun 10, 1983
(Current as of October 2006)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.