MAJOR GENERAL EUGENE R. CHOJNACKI

Retired May 30, 2006

Major General Eugene R. Chojnacki was the Commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, based at the Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force after graduating from Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in 1968. He completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and National Security Management.

After graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training, Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in 1969, General Chojnacki completed training in the C-141A and was assigned to the 20th Military Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. In 1971, General Chojnacki attended Helicopter Transition Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. In 1971, he was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Cam Rahn Bay, Republic of Vietnam, as an UH-IN Pilot. During his combat tour, he flew 120 missions over Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. From 1972 until his discharge in 1973, General Chojnacki served as a TH-IF Helicopter Instructor Pilot at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. After a short period in ISLRS General Chojnacki returned to active military status and accepted a commission with the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1977 as the Executive Support Officer for the 177th Fighter Interceptor Group. Subsequent duty assignments included Budget Officer, Computer Operations Officer, Comptroller, Chief of Supply, and Deputy Commander for Resources. General Chojnacki became the Support Group Commander on January 26, 1996.

EDUCATION:

1967 Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Education, Trenton State College
1976 Masters of Business Administration in Management and Finance, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
1977 Squadron Officers School
1978 Air Command and Staff College
1979 National Security Management

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. April 1968 - April 1969, Student Pilot Training Reese AFB, TX
2. May 1969 - July 1970, C-141A Pilot, 20th MASq, Dover AFB, DE
3. January 1971- April 1971, Helicopter Transition Training, 1550th FTS, Sheppard AFB, TX
4. April 1971 - June 1971, UH-1N Gunnery/Special Operations Course, Hurlburt Field, FL
5. June 1971 - May 1972, UH-IN Pilot, 20th SOS, Cam Rahn Bay, Republic of Vietnam
6. May 1972 - April 1973, TH-IF Instructor Pilot, Hill AFB, UT
7. April 1973 - February 1977, Inactive status, HQ ARPC (ISLRS) Denver, CO
8. February 1977 - October 1978, Executive Support Officer, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
9. October 1978 - January 1981, Budget Officer, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
10. January 1981 - March 1982, Computer Operations Officer, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
11. March 1982 - September 1982, Comptroller, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
12. September 1982 - January 1984, Chief of Supply, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
13. January 1984 - July 1987, Commander of Resources Management Services, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
14. July 1987 - January 1996, Deputy Commander for Resources, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
15. January 1996 - January 2002, Support Group Commander, 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
16. January 2002 - August 2002, Vice Commander, 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor TWP, NJ
17. August 2002 - February 2004, Chief of Staff, New Jersey Air National Guard, Fort Dix, NJ
18. February 2004 - May 2006, Commander New Jersey Air National Guard

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Rating: Pilot
Flight Hours: 2000
Aircraft Flown: T-41, T-37, T-38, C-141A, UH-IN, TH-IF

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device
National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star Device
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
New Jersey distinguished Service Medal
New Jersey Ribbon of Honor with three Oak Leaf Clusters
New Jersey Merit Award with four Silver Oak Leaf Clusters
New Jersey Desert Storm Medal
New Jersey Governor's Unit Award

CIVILIAN OCCUPATION:

Retired NJANG Technician

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant March 28, 1968
First Lieutenant September 28, 1969
Captain March 28, 1971
Major June 14, 1978
Lieutenant Colonel June 14, 1982
Colonel July 24, 1997
Brigadier General September 6, 2002
Major General October 28, 2005

(Current as of December 2005)