Robert Hails Explained

Robert Hails
Birth Date:January 20, 1923
Birth Place:Miami, Florida
Rank: Lieutenant general

Robert E. Hails (January 20, 1923 – March 16, 2012) was an American military officer who served as the vice commander of Tactical Air Command, Air Force deputy chief of staff for systems and logistics at the Pentagon, and commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. He flew a B-24 during the Pacific Theater of World War II[1] and later was one of the few to fly the SR-71 Blackbird.[2] As the Director of Maintenance Engineering, Air Force Logistics Command, he was responsible for engineering and developing pilotless reconnaissance aircraft used during the Vietnam War.[3]

Hails became a member of the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame and the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame[4] and later worked for McDonnell Douglas and Vought Corporation.[5]

He died in 2012.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Retired Lt. Gen. Hails, former Warner Robins ALC commander, died on Friday. 21 March 2012.
  2. Web site: Listing of all Personnel who Flew the Blackbirds. 21 March 2012.
  3. Web site: Tribute to Lt. Gen. Robert E. Hails (Ret.) -- Hon. Saxby Chambliss (Extensions of Remarks - October 28, 2000). 21 March 2012.
  4. Web site: Lt. Gen Robert E. Hails. October 9, 2018. Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. https://web.archive.org/web/20170601235554/http://www.gaaviationhalloffame.com/Hall-of-Fame.48.0.html?avid=47. 2017-06-01. live.
  5. Web site: Retired Lt. Gen. Hails, former Warner Robins ALC commander, died on Friday. 21 March 2012.
  6. Web site: In Memory of Lt. Gen. (Ret) Robert E. Hails. 21 March 2012.