BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN MAJOR GENERAL ALFRED J. STEWART OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

Maj. Gen. A.J. Stewart is Commander, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas. The center ensures commanders around the world have the right number of skilled Air Force people in the proper grades and specialties to complete their missions; ensures military and civilian positions are properly classified and that units have the manpower necessary for the work; and manages services functions to ensure Airmen have the physical, cognitive and recreational care necessary to focus on the mission.

AFPC has a diverse workforce of over 3,676 Air Force military, civilian and contractor personnel responsible for implementing personnel, manpower and services policies, and for developing programs and conducting worldwide operations for 1.77 million Airmen and their families. Center personnel also manage the Air Expeditionary Force schedule and track delivery of versatile air and space power to combatant commanders. AFPC implements comprehensive programs covering every aspect of an Airman's life and career, from accession through retirement, and all the recreation, growth and development between. Additionally, the center provides support for readiness and contingency operations worldwide.

General Stewart entered the Air Force in 1981 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served in a variety of KC-135 Stratotanker assignments, including Combat Crew Training School instructor, training program manager and as an operations officer. He has commanded an air refueling squadron, an operations group and a flying training wing. His staff assignments include tours on the Air Staff, with U.S. Transportation Command's Joint Deployment Training Center, and Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe. In 1983, General Stewart flew air refueling missions in support of Operation Urgent Fury. In 1985, during the Iran-Iraq War, he deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Elf One. From September 2004 to January 2005, he served as Director, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Air Component Coordination Element. Most recently, he was deployed as Combined Air Operations Center Director of Mobility Forces in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Prior to his current assignment, the general served as Commander, Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph AFB.

General Stewart is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the KC-135A, KC-135R, T-1 and C-17 aircraft.

EDUCATION
1981 Bachelor of Science degree in management and business administration, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1992 Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies, College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
1997 Master of Science degree in national security strategy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2004 National Security Management Fellow, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, N.Y.
2007 Capstone General and Flag Officer Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.