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This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and

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Twitchell, Larry L.

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  • Twitchell, Larry L.

Larry L. Twitchell

Preferred Name: Larry
Nickname/Call Sign: Lucky
Date of Birth: August 26, 1943
Highest Military Grade: 0-8 – Major General
Hometown: Romulus, MI
Headed West Date: June 21, 2022
Biography
Pilot Information
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Wall of Honor

Maj. Gen. Larry L. Twitchell is Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission, U.S. Central Command, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Defense Representative to Saudi Arabia. As Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission, he represents the U.S. Government and Saudi Arabian defense interests in the management of all foreign military sales, providing operational, training and logistical advisory support to all levels of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. As the U.S. Defense Representative, he represents the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander, U.S. Central Command, for coordination of administrative and security matters for all Department of Defense noncombatant command elements in Saudi Arabia.

General Twitchell enlisted in the Michigan Air National Guard in May 1965, receiving a direct commission in 1966. He attended pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, and received his wings in July 1967. After serving 15 years at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, he transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1982.

As a reservist, General Twitchell served at Homestead, Bergstrom, Langley, and Shaw Air Force bases, and he was called to active-duty in November 2003 to serve in his current position. As a career fighter and instructor pilot, he has commanded a fighter squadron, an air expeditionary wing, a provisional numbered air force and a joint task force. General Twitchell retired as vice president of flight operations from an airline after 28 years in commercial aviation.

Units Assigned

  • 7/1966-7/1967 3560th Flying Training Wing, Webb AFB, TX
  • 8/1967-9/1972 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, MI (RF-84, RF-101)
  • 10/1972-12/1979 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Flight commander, Selfridge ANGB, MI (F-100)
  • 1/1980-8/1981 107th Tactical Fighter Squadron, , flight commander and A-7 instructor pilot, Selfridge ANGB, MI (A-7)
  • 9/1981-9/1982 171st Fighter Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, MI (F-4C)
  • 10/1982-11/1985 82nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Weapons and Tactics Officer Homestead AFB, FL (F-4D)
  • 12/1985-2/1988 93rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, , Commander, Homestead AFB, FL
  • 3/1988-8/1990 482nd Tactical Fighter Wing, , Deputy Commander of Operations, Homestead AFB, FL
  • 9/1990-8/1992 482nd Fighter Wing, , Vice Commander, Homestead AFB, FL
  • 8/1992-6/1995 10th Air Force, , Vice Commander, Bergstrom AFB, TX
  • 6/1995-4/1998 HQ Air Combat Command, Mobilization Assistant to Director of Operations, Langley AFB, VA
  • 5/1998-6/1998 16th Air Expeditionary Wing, Commander, Aviano Air Base, Italy
  • 6/1998-2/2003 9th Air Force /US Central Command Air Forces, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Shaw AFB, SC
  • 2/2003-5/2003 Commander, 9th Air Force Provisional)
  • 5/2003 – 2007 Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission, U.S. Central Command, Saudi Arabia, and U.S. Defense Representative to Saudi Arabia

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster)
Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Combat Readiness Medal (with 2 silver and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with 2 oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (with oak leaf cluster)
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 bronze stars)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
1920px Humanitarian Service Medal Ribbon.svg
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour
Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (AFESR)
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (with Gold Border and two oak leaf clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFResM)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold, Bronze and “M” devices)
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
NATO Medal For Yugoslavia
NATO Medal (Former Republic of Yugoslavia)
King Abdul Aziz Medal, First Grade
King Abdul Aziz Medal, First Grade (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

Flight Info

Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours:

  • Military 4,800+
  • Civilian, 13,000+
  • RF-84F
  • RF-101A/C
  • F-100D/F
  • A-7D
  • F-4C/D
  • KC-10A
  • F-16A/B

Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: Military: 4,800+; Civilian 13,000+

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1972 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
  • 1973 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
  • 1980 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
  • 1989 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL

Civilian Education:

  • 1989 BS, Barry University, FL

Larry L. Twitchell, MGen USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on June 21, 2022.

Retired Air Force Major General Larry Twitchell of Placida, Florida passed away on June 21, 2022, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sarasota, Florida. Larry was born on August 26, 1943 in Romulus Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, John L Twitchell, Alice Bouts Twitchell, and son Jon.

Upon Larry’s graduation from Michigan in 1965, he enlisted in the Michigan Air National Guard. He received a commission in 1966 and joined the Air Force Reserve in 1982. After a series of promotions, he attained the rank of Major General in 1999. He had many assignments all over the world, including several years as the Chief of the U.S. Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia and as U.S. Defense Representative to Saudi Arabia. He retired in 2007 after 42 years with the Air Force.

He married Pamela McCartney Twitchell formerly of Monticello on April 22,2021. She survives.

He is survived by his son Lee, daughter-in-law Tami, grandson Jon (Nikki), granddaughter Stephanie (John) Leavelle, and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service with Military Rites was held on July 5, 2022, at the Monticello Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.

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Wall of Honor Location

Foil: 10
Panel: 1
Column: 4
Line: 6

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