John L. Borling
John Lorin Borling is a retired Major General of the United States Air Force whose military career spanned 37 years. He has piloted many aircraft including the F-15, F16, F-4, the SR-71 Blackbird, the U-2, and B-52 and B-1 bombers.
Education
Borling attended the United States Air Force Academy, and was subsequently a graduate of the National War College and executive programs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Business School. He was a White House Fellow and, later, treasurer and director of the White House Fellows governing foundation and for many years a regional selection panel member.
Military career
Borling was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, where he was shot down by ground fire and captured while trying to evade. He would spend the next 6½ years as a POW in Hanoi.[1] Subsequent to his return, he was an F-15 Eagle fighter pilot and commander of the “Hat in the Ring” squadron. He was an Air Division commander at Minot AFB, and Head of Operations for Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Omaha. In that position, he directed SAC’s support of hostilities in the first Gulf War and Panama and was charged with execution responsibilities for the nation’s nuclear war plan. At the Pentagon, he led CHECKMATE, a highly classified war fighting think tank and was Director of Air Force Operational Requirements helping initiate a new family of guided weapons. In Germany, he commanded the largest fighter and support base outside the United States and later served at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters in Belgium working directly for the Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff. He was central to the creation of HQ North in Norway and served as Chief of Staff of that integrated NATO/National command.
Medals
A highly decorated officer, his awards include:[2][1] The Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with V for Valor and two Purple Hearts.
Writing
Borling has published Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton: a collection of poems he wrote during his time in captivity.
References
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"Major General John L. Borling Biography". Airforce History and Biography of Notable Officers. United States Air Force. Retrieved 10/17/2012.
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"Military Award Recipients". Military Times Hall of Valor. Gannett. Retrieved 10-17-2012.
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