A Conversation with General Robert C. Oaks, USAFA '59 on Service, Family, and the Air Force
- Christina DeSantis
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
As members and friends of the United States Air Force Academy’s historic First Graduating Class, we share a bond forged at the dawn of a new military era. Few embody that pioneering spirit and ultimate trajectory of excellence better than our own classmate, retired four-star General Robert C. Oaks.
Originally produced as a keynote introduction for the Hill Air Force Base 70th Anniversary Ball, this moving tribute video features General Oaks reflecting deeply on his 35 years of distinguished service.
From walking the nascent grounds of the Academy as part of the Class of 1959 to commanding United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), General Oaks shares personal insights regarding the evolution of the Air Force, his cherished family life, and his enduring love for the service.
We are honored to host this beautiful piece of our collective legacy, presented here alongside a full conversational transcription for those who prefer to read the interview.
Brown, F. (2017, September 26). A Tribute to General Robert C. Oaks [Video]. 2D Audiovisual Squadron, U.S. Air Force. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/554035/tribute-general-robert-c-oaksGeneral Robert C. Oaks, USAFA Class of 1959
On Service, Family, and the Air Force
Originally presented by Team Hill Air Force Ball as a tribute to General Robert C. Oaks, USAFA Class of 1959
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY FIRST CLASS (USAFA 1959)
It was the First Class. They patterned it after West Point and Annapolis but took it a step further. They had these 300 young men that they selected from across the country. And they said we’re going to see what we can get from them. How much can they do?
They brought in the first and second lieutenants from the Air Force and they were our upper classmen. So, we learned from their examples. They were our role models.
THE AIR FORCE IN A CHANGING WORLD
The Berlin Wall went up when I was a cadet. The Berlin Wall came down when I was a three-star general in the Air Force. So, I saw these sorts of things. The Berlin Wall up. The Berlin Wall down. The Berlin Airlift was carried out. Super Sonic flight moved from a propeller-driven Air Force to a jet-driven Air Force. A bigger Air Force. The development of nuclear deterrence happened during my life in the Air Force. So, there were a lot of changes. I retired from a dramatically different Air Force.
But it was still filled with great young people that had volunteered. It’s an all-volunteer force. That has been one of the biggest changes. It’s an all-volunteer force. Everyone who wears a uniform is a volunteer. “Here am I. Send me. I want to serve.” That was not always the case. And there’s a different attitude for it is when I am here because I want to serve not because I have been drafted.
LIFE AS THE USAFE COMMANDER
Later when I retired, I was commander as a four-star general of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). So, I was responsible for the effective operation of all those bases.
I would get up in the morning, go to work and check my inbox to see what the challenges were for the day. I would call in my staff. We would discuss them, what we ought to do, it anything, and we would do it. Life was a constant flow of interesting challenges.
FAMILY LIFE
My wife and I moved 33 times in our military and church career. They [the family] handled it very well. They just lived their lives. We moved. I was worried about the moving, but they didn’t worry about the moves.
Our four sons all joined the Air Force and had Air Force careers. My proudest moment of service was probably when I was part of the service for my sons’ retirement from the Air Force. I got to retire them. I was proud that they volunteer to serve and serve well. And to serve long and faithfully. And I was part of their retirement.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I love the United States Air Force. I love the opportunity I had to serve as a brand-new Air Force cadet through the time I raised my hand to retire. And I loved it. Every assignment. And I love the United States Air Force.
About General Robert C. Oaks
General Robert C. “Bob” Oaks, USAFA Class of 1959, is a retired four‑star Air Force general whose 35‑year career culminated in his service as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE), and Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe. His distinguished career spanned combat service, senior leadership, and decades of dedicated public and ecclesiastical service.
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