Ronald L. Barker

Biography

A native of Lansing, Michigan, Colonel Barker received his commission through the air Force ROTC program in 1956. His first assignments were as an F-100 pilot at Cannon AFB, NM, and Misawa AB, Japan. He later served as an Air Officer Commanding at the Air Force Academy. He served a combat tour in Vietnam from December 1965 to December 1966. During this tour he served both as an F-100 pilot and as a Forward Air Controller with the Army’s First Cavalry Division. He has over 250 combat missions and over 400 hours of combat flying time.

Following his SEA tour, Colonel Barker graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology and was assigned to the Air Training Command Resident Office as a liaison officer to the Aeronautical Systems Division. His program responsibilities included F-15, B-1, and A-10 aircraft and all developmental life support systems and equipment. Next, he attended the United Kingdom Joint Services Staff College near London, England. Immediately following his school assignment, he Barker transferred to RAF Upper Heyford where he began flying the F-111 as initial cadre in the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

Early in 1974, he transferred to Korat RTAFB, Thailand, as the Wing Quality Control Officer. He was selected to become Operations Officer for the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron “Black Falcons” and in January 1975, was selected to be the commander. The 429th TFS returned to Nellis AFB in June 1975.

His promotion to Colonel led to an assignment to the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany. In April 1978, Colonel Barker was named Commander of the 86th Combat Support Group. He remained Base Commander until March of 1970 when he returned to flying as Commander of the 86th Tactical Fighter Group, flying the F-4E.

In January of 1980, Barker left Germany for assignment to Ft. Leavenworth, KS as Commander of the Tactical Air Command Liaison Office.

He was assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces (HQ PACAF) as the Director of Support Operations from May 31, 1983 until his retirement on May 31, 1986.

At retirement, Colonel Barker was awarded the Legion of Merit for Exceptionally Meritorious Conduct in the performance of outstanding services.

Units Assigned

• 6/1956-8/1956 Pilot Training Moore AB, TX (T-34)
• 8/1956-12/1956 Pilot Training Moore AB, TX  (T-28)
• 1/1957-7/1957 Pilot Training, Greenville AFB, MS (T-33)
• 8/1957-11/1957 Fighter transition, Williams AFB, AZ
• 12/1957-4/1961 387th and 523 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM (F-100)
• 4/1961-7/1964 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan F-100
• 7/1964-12/1965 Air Officer Commanding, USAFA CO
• 12/1965-12/1966 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
• 9/1966-11/1966 FAC, An Khe, Vietnam (O-1)
• 12/1966-2/1968 AFIT, Univ of Alabama – MBA (U3A)
• 3/1968-2/1970 Wright Patterson AFB, OH (T-29, T-39)
• 2/1970-12/1970 UK Joint Services Staff College
• 12/1970-5/1974 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron,  RAF Upper Heyford, UK  (F-100, F-111)
• 5/1974-3/1975 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat RTAFB, Thailand (F-111)
• 3/1975-8/1977 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (F-111)
• 9/1977-4/1979 86th Combat Support Group CC, Ramstein AB, Germany
• 4/1979-12/1979 86th Tactical Fighter Group, Commander, Ramstein AB,  Germany (F-4)
• 1/1980-5/1983 TACLO, Ft Leavenworth, KS
• 5/1983-5/1986 – Director of Support Ops, HQ PACAF, Hickam AFB, HI
• 5/1986 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

 Distinguished Flying Cross
 Bronze Star
 Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
 Air Medal (with 2 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters)
 Presidential Unit Citation (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
 Air Force Oustanding Unit Award (with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster)
 Combat Readiness medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
 National Defense Service Medal
 Vietnam Service Metal (with 3 Battle Stars)
 Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon
 Air Force Longevity Service Award (with Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
 Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon
 Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award
 Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
 Legion of Merit

Flight Info

T-34
T-28
T-33
F-100 (254 missions, 404 hours)
O-1
T-29
T-39
F-111
F-4

Flight Hours: 3,668

Military Education

• SOS
• 1970 UK Joint Services Staff College

Civilian Education

• BA, Michigan State University
• MBA, University of Alabama (AFI)