Retired general talks air mobility with USAF Test Pilot School students

  • Published
  • By Laura Mowry
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- --  Students from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School enjoyed a special evening presentation, Jan. 20, introducing them to the world of airlift -- the first of many such events specifically designed to help the students better understand how their test mission impacts the warfighter.

Students learned about the history of airlift from retired Maj. Gen. James I. Baginski. The retired command pilot took students on a historical journey from the Berlin Airlift, to Korea, Haiti, and even Hurricane Katrina; circumnavigating the globe and discussing an array of aircraft from the C-47 to C-17.

Baginski highlighted the crucial role of air mobility not only to the Air Force, but to the country and international community as well.

"Airlift is absolutely a critical capability of the Air Force, and yet it so often gets overlooked," said Baginski.

"Whether mobilizing units for combat, or providing humanitarian aid I want people to think about how air mobility helps make us the great Air Force that we are."

Throughout his presentation, Baginski detailed challenges that have been addressed throughout the years. He has more than 50 years of experience improving airlift, cargo, and refueling. He served in the Air Force from 1954 until 1984. Today, he continues working to expand the capabilities of air mobility through organizations like the Airlift Tanker Association.

"We have certainly come a long way by challenging the status-quo. I challenge each and every one of you to push the limits of the aircraft and see what they're really capable of," said Baginski.

For TPS students, the future of Air Force acquisitions, the time spent with Baginski provided historical insight to the challenges of the past and how they pertain to modern-day flight test.

"Many of the basic challenges we face in the military and on the battlefield remain unchanged, but the solutions evolve as technology advances. Learning how those challenges were overcome in the past is critical for directing future efforts as the Air Force strives to integrate cutting edge science to maximize capability," said Clifton Janney, commander, 418th Flight Test Squadron.

Baginski's contribution to air mobility began in 1954 when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He began his Air Force career piloting the C-119 and C-130 aircraft.

Additionally, he earned his Army parachutist wings at Fort Benning, Ga. and served as a Tactical Airlift Liaison officer with the 1st Cavalry Division in An Khe, Republic of Vietnam.

The diverse background of knowledge gained from his early years in the Air Force catapulted him into an array of positions at the wing, command, and Air Force levels, where he influenced policy, advocated for personnel, and played key role in historic airlift efforts.

He played a major role in establishing policy that made air mobility the global force recognized today, and as its role continued to increase, Baginski recognized the importance of improving technology to maximize airlift capabilities.

To meet the need of testing and developing the latest technologies, he fought for and established the U.S. Air Force Airlift Center at Pope AFB, North Carolina.

Throughout his career, he was instrumental in directing several of the Military Airlift Command's airlift operations and as such was a key player in the disaster relief responses to earthquakes in Guatemala, Indonesia, Turkey, and Romania; typhoons in Guam; and the operation Snow Blow airlift response to Buffalo, New York; delivering supplies to an under-siege Zaire; and providing aeromedical evacuation of Americans for the Tenerife jet collision incident. Baginski was also involved in removing human remains of American service members from Hanoi.

During his career in the Air Force, Baginski had a major influence on more than just airlift. He was instrumental in the implementation of several programs that boosted the quality of life for servicemembers.

Baginski was the key supporter for the Nunn-Warner Amendment of 1981, an 11.7 percent pay increase, improved travel benefits, and allowed the for mid-level management positions to be retained. Additionally, he fought for the Variable Housing Allowance and equalized per diem rates for officers and enlisted.

"People have always and will always come first to him," said Master Sgt. Daniel Halverstadt, superintendent, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.

"Not only is his impact on air mobility tremendous, but what he's done to improve the quality of life of officers and enlisted alike is fantastic. Each and every one of us benefits from him looking out for people," said Halverstadt.

Honored by enlisted personnel for his contributions that boosted morale and quality of life for servicemembers; in 1974, General Baginski was inducted into the "Order of the Sword."

Both members of the Airlift Tanker Association, Baginski and Halverstadt met back in 2009 when they served together on the National Board of Advisors for the ATA.

"He's so knowledgeable and always happy. That's why I thought he would be a perfect choice to talk with the TPS community about the history of air mobility," said Halverstadt.

"It's easy to become compartmentalized and become too focused on your one area of expertise. You can ask him the questions that you might hesitate to ask someone else. He really provides a great learning environment and you can't beat the historical perspective he brings to the table."

The event is the first of many for TPS. After talking with students, a recurring theme they is they want a better perspective of how their test mission impacts the end-user of the air frames and technology they test, said Halverstadt. The superintendant hopes to provide students with a variety of perspectives to help them accomplish their curriculum and succeed in the test environment.

In addition to speaking Friday evening at Scobee Auditorium here, the retired general toured Edwards. He received mission briefings from the 445th Flight Test Squadron and 418th Flight Test Squadron, and visited the original C-17 and a C-119 aircraft. 

Baginski is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, with approximately one-fifth of those acquired at the controls of a C-119.