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AFMC commander presented with aviation service award

  • Published
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs Report
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Though his Air Force Academy background makes him a flying falcon, Gen. Donald Hoffman, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, recently joined the ranks of a new flock when he was presented with the Gray Eagle Award here on Dec. 20, 2010.

The award, originally presented to General Hoffman by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz earlier this year, was received locally and presented anew during a meeting in the AFMC headquarters building.

General Hoffman was pleased and jokingly remarked, "I am in that 'old guy' category now."

The Gray Eagle Award is presented annually to honor the Air Force general officer pilot with the longest continuous aviation service. It recognizes the long service, depth of experience and broad aviation knowledge of senior Air Force pilots.

General Hoffman is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and was commissioned in 1974. He is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in fighter, trainer and transport aircraft like the F-16, T-37, T-38 and C-12.

His previous assignments include commanding the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and commanding the 31st Fighter Wing and 31st Air Expeditionary Wing at Aviano AB, Italy.

To qualify for this award a general officer must be on active duty, with longevity based on the date his or her pilot wings were awarded.

A permanent Gray Eagle trophy on display at Headquarters Air Force bears the names of all Air Force winners of the award, with each recipient receiving a miniature replica.