Charles Peter Winters

BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES PETER "PETE" WINTERS
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Born in Rochester, Minnesota, Charles Peter "Pete" Winters grew up fascinated by the dawn of the supersonic jet age. As Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and experimental X-planes pushed human aviation past its known limits, young Pete set his sights on becoming an Air Force test pilot—despite never having flown an aircraft himself.

After graduating from Pillsbury Military Academy in Owatonna, Minnesota, in 1955, he joined the pioneer cadet corps of the United States Air Force Academy as a member of its historic inaugural Class of 1959. Arriving at the temporary Academy grounds at Lowry Air Force Base, Cadet Winters adjusted quickly to the strict military routine, spotless room inspections, marching, and strict table etiquette of the first class of "59ers". He graduated in June 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Air Science and received his commission as a second lieutenant.

TACTICAL FIGHTER FLYING & VIETNAM COMBAT

Lieutenant Winters completed pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, earning his pilot wings in July 1960. He transitioned into tactical fighters, completing F-100 Super Sabre training at Luke AFB, Arizona, and Nellis AFB, Nevada.

His early assignments included flying the F-100 with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Misawa Air Base, Japan (with forward duty in Korea), followed by assignment to the 352nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. While serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing's Standardization and Evaluation Office, he flew operational NATO missions from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Aviano Air Base, Italy.

In June 1966, Captain Winters entered the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, earning a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering in March 1968.

Following retraining in the F-100, Major Winters deployed to South Vietnam with the 352nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (35th Tactical Fighter Wing) at Phan Rang Air Base. Between July 1968 and June 1969, he flew 298 combat missions totaling 478 combat hours in the F-100 Super Sabre. For his extraordinary achievement and valor under fire in Southeast Asia, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 14 Air Medals.

TEST PILOT EXCELLENCE & SECRET OPERATIONS

Fulfilling his lifelong dream, Major Winters entered the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School (USAF Test Pilot School) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Upon graduation in July 1970, he was awarded the prestigious Liethen-Tittle Trophy, presented to the top pilot in each graduating test pilot class.

Over the next five years at Edwards, Major Winters served as a research test pilot on the Joint Test Force, flight testing some of the Air Force's most critical modern platforms, including:

• F-111 Aardvark flight dynamic testing

• AX Program (evaluating the prototypes that became the A-10 Warthog)

• Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPVs)

• F-15 Eagle early operational evaluation

After graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) in 1976 and serving as Chief of Procedures and Training for Command & Control at HQ USAFE (Ramstein AB), Lieutenant Colonel Winters returned to operational command. In July 1977, he took command of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron ("Fighting Hawks") at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany, leading Europe's sole long-range navigation, Pave Spike, and Maverick missile-equipped F-4D Phantom unit.

In July 1979, Colonel Winters returned to the flight test arena as Vice Commander, and later Commander (May 1981–July 1983), of Detachment 3, Air Force Flight Test Center at Groom Lake / Las Vegas, Nevada (Area 51), managing highly classified flight test activities and advanced technology programs.

Executive Leadership & Post-Military Career
Promoted to Brigadier General on April 1, 1985 (with date of rank October 1, 1984), General Winters transitioned into executive leadership within Air Force Systems Command (AFSC):

• Inspector General, HQ AFSC, Andrews AFB (1983–1985)

• Deputy Commander for Tactical Systems, JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System), and AWACS at Electronic Systems Division (ESD), Hanscom AFB (1985–1987)

• Deputy Chief of Staff for Test and Resources, HQ AFSC, Andrews AFB (1987–1988)

General Winters retired from active duty in 1988 after 33 years of military service as a command pilot with over 4,500 flight hours in 37 distinct military aircraft types.

Following his military retirement, Pete continued his commitment to aviation and defense technology:

• Director of Airports, Horry County Department of Airports, Myrtle Beach, SC (1994–1997), overseeing commercial aviation growth in the region.

• Defense & Flight Test Consultant with defense contractors EG&G and AECOM in Las Vegas, Nevada (2005–2009).

EDUCATION

High School Diploma Pillsbury Military Academy (Owatonna, MN) 1955
B.S. in Air Science United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1959) 1959
Primary / Basic Pilot Training Graham AB / Laredo AFB, TX 1960
M.S. in Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Wright-Patterson AFB 1968
Graduate (Liethen-Tittle Trophy Winner) USAF Test Pilot School (ARPS), Edwards AFB 1970
Executive Education Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) 1976

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959–1960 Student Pilot Graham AB, FL / Laredo AFB, TX
1961–1963 F-100 Tactical Fighter Pilot 416th TFS, Misawa AB, Japan & Korea
1963–1966 F-100 Pilot & Stan/Eval Officer 352nd TFS / 354th TFW, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC (Incirlik AB, Turkey & Aviano AB, Italy)
1966–1968 Graduate Student AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1968–1969 F-100 Combat Pilot (298 missions) 352nd TFS / 35th TFW, Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam
1969–1970 Student, Test Pilot School Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA
1970–1975 Research Test Pilot (F-111, AX, RPV, F-15) Joint Test Force, Edwards AFB, CA
1976–1977 Chief, Command & Control Procedures & Training HQ USAFE, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany
1977–1979 Commander 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron ("Fighting Hawks"), Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
1979–1983 Vice Commander / Commander Detachment 3, Air Force Flight Test Center (Groom Lake / Las Vegas, NV)
1983–1985 Inspector General HQ Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), Andrews AFB, MD
1985–1987 Deputy Commander for Tactical Systems, JTIDS & AWACS Electronic Systems Division (ESD), Hanscom AFB, MA
1987–1988 Deputy Chief of Staff for Test & Resources HQ AFSC, Andrews AFB, MD
1994–1997 Director Horry County Department of Airports, Myrtle Beach, SC
2005–2009 Aerospace & Defense Consultant EG&G / AECOM, Las Vegas, NV

MAJOR MEDALS & MILITARY DECORATIONS


Air Force Distinguished Service Medal 1
Legion of Merit 3 (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Distinguished Flying Cross 1 (Vietnam War Combat Operations)
Meritorious Service Medal 3 (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal 14 (13 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal 1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award With Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Presented for HQ leadership excellence
Combat Readiness Medal Earned in operational fighter units
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm