An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT G. BREENE

Robert G. Breene was born in Ohio on Sept. 17, 1894. He graduated from Purdue University, Ind., with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1971. On June 28, 1917, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Engineer Reserve, serving continuously until Oct. 25, 1917, when he was commissioned in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant of Cavalry.

He completed the Army Service Schools at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., in November 1917, then joined the 15th Cavalry at Douglas, Ariz. He sailed to France with the American Expeditionary Forces in March 1918, beginning a tour in connection with the Remount Service at La Rochelle, France, on March 26, 1918. In February 1919, he moved to Dijon, France, for duty with the 15th Cavalry. He returned to the United States on June 2, 1919, and, after brief service at Camp Dix, N.J., he was transferred to Sam Fordyce, Texas, for duty as Camp Supply Officer. He had a similar assignment at San Benito, Texas, between April 1920 and June 1920. After summer duty at Camp Perry, Ohio, he joined the 4th Cavalry at Mercedes, Texas, in October 1920, and moved to McAllen, Texas, in September 1921.

He was assigned to the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Carlstrom Field, Fla., in January 1922. After graduation in June 1922, he went to the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. He graduated from the Observation Course of the Advanced Flying School in December 1922. He then served as a flying instructor at Brooks Field, Texas. He entered the Air Corps Engineering School, McCook Field, Ohio, on July 1, 1925, and graduated from its Aero Engineering Course in June 1926. He then served as Chief of the Cooling Systems Unit of the Experimental Engineering Section at McCook Field until October 1927, and thereafter Chief of the Installations Unit of that section. He assumed command of both units, jointly, in September 1928, with station at Wright Field, Ohio.

He enrolled in the Air Corps Tactical School, Langley Field, Va., in August 1930 and graduated in June 1931. He then became an instructor of the National Guard at Parkwater, Wash. He entered Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., in September 1934 and graduated from the two-year course in June 1936. He then became an instructor at that school.

On July 1, 1940, he became Operations and Training Officer of the 3rd Wing at Barksdale Field, La., moving to Tampa, Fla., with that wing in September 1940. He assumed command of the 3rd Bombardment Group, General Headquarters Air Force at Savannah Air Base, Savannah, Ga., on Nov. 18, 1940. On Dec. 27, 1940, he was assigned as Chief of Staff of the 2nd Air Force, Fort George Wright, Wash.

In August 1942, he was designated Commanding General, Services Supply, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, and in July 1944 became Deputy Commander for Administration, Army Air Forces in the Pacific Ocean Areas. In May 1945, he returned to the United States for assignment to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C. The following August he assumed command of the Army Air Force Central Flying Training Command, Randolph Field, Texas.

He is rated as a command pilot and combat observer.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal.

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant Feb. 9, 1918
Captain March 18, 1921
Major March 1, 1937
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 25, 1940
Colonel (temporary) July 15, 1941
Brigadier General (temporary) Aug. 6, 1942
Major General (temporary) April 29, 1943

(Current as of Aug. 13, 1945)

More AETC Leaders

 

More AETC Leaders

Former AETC Commander Biographies

 

COMMANDERS

DATES SERVED

Lt Gen Barton K. Yount

23 Jan 42 - 26 Sep 45

Maj Gen James P. Hodges

27 Sep 45 - 12 Apr 46

Lt Gen John K. Cannon

13 Apr 46 - 13 Oct 48

Lt Gen Robert W. Harper

14 Oct 48 - 30 Jun 54

Maj Gen Glenn O. Barcus

1 Jul 54 - 25 Jul 54

Lt Gen Charles T. Myers

26 Jul 54 - 31 Jul 58

Lt Gen Frederic H. Smith, Jr.

1 Aug 58 - 31 Jul 59

Lt Gen James E. Briggs

1 Aug 59 - 31 Jul 63

Lt Gen Robert W. Burns

1 Aug 63 - 10 Aug 64

Lt Gen William W. Momyer

11 Aug 64 - 30 Jun 66

Lt Gen Sam Maddux, Jr.

1 Jul 66 - 31 Aug 70

Lt Gen George B. Simler

1 Sep 70 - 8 Sep 72

Lt Gen William V. McBride

9 Sep 72 - 31 Aug 74

Lt Gen George H. McKee

1 Sep 74 - 28 Aug 75

Gen John W. Roberts

29 Aug 75 - 31 Mar 79

Gen Bennie L. Davis

1 Apr 79 - 28 Jul 81

Gen Thomas M. Ryan, Jr.

29 Jul 81 - 22 Jun 83

Gen Andrew P. Iosue

23 Jun 83 - 27 Aug 86

Lt Gen John A. Shaud

28 Aug 86 - 5 Jun 88

Lt Gen Robert C. Oaks

6 Jun 88 - 24 Jun 90

Lt Gen Joseph W. Ashy

25 Jun 90 - 10 Dec 92

Gen Henry Viccellio, Jr.

11 Dec 92 - 19 Jun 95

Gen Billy J. Boles

20 Jun 95 - 16 Mar 97

Gen Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton

17 Mar 97 - 21 Jun 00

Gen Hal M. Hornburg

22 Jun 00 - 9 Nov 01

Lt Gen John D. Hopper Jr.

10 Nov 01 - 14 Dec 01

Gen Donald G. Cook

15 Dec 01 - 16 Jun 05

Gen William R. Looney III

17 Jun 05 - 2 Jul 08

Gen Stephen R. Lorenz
 
3 Jul 08 - 17 Nov 10
 
Gen Edward A. Rice Jr.
 
18 Nov 10 - 9 Oct 13
 
Gen Robin Rand
 
10 Oct 13 - 21 July 15
 
Lt Gen Darryl Roberson
 
21 July 15 - 17 Nov 2017 
 
Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast
 
17 Nov 2017 - 26 July 2019 
 
Lt. Gen. Marshall B. "Brad" Webb 26 July 2019 - 20 May 2022
Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson 20 May 2022 - Present