BG Charles 'Pete' Winters USAF

Foil: 43 Panel: 3 Column: 1 Line: 11

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Benefactor

Honored by:
Mr. Daniel C. Wild

Brigadier General Charles "Pete" Winters was born in 1937 in Rochester, Minn. He graduated with the premier class of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1959, earning a Bachelor's degree in Air Science, and his pilot wings in 1960.

In 1968, after receiving a Master's in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, he was assigned to the 352nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, and flew 298 combat missions and 478 combat hours in the F-100.

Pete was awarded the Liethen-Tittle Trophy as the outstanding graduate of Class 70A, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He remained at Edwards as a Test Pilot until August 1975, eventually becoming Deputy Director of the F-15 Combined Test Force.

Pete graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1976, then commanded the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron of F-4Ds at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany. He returned to the Air Force Flight Test Center in 1979, and became Commander of Detachment 3 in 1981.

In 1983, General Winters was assigned as Inspector General, Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, then completed his Air Force career as Deputy for Test and Resources, Air Force Systems Command.

As a civilian, Mr. Winters worked as a Management Consultant and Vice President for Air Force programs for Cypress International. He then moved on to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, managing multiple overseas operations. Pete also served on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board studying the future of classified test resources.

From 1994 to 1997, Pete served as the Horry County, SC Director of Airports, responsible for operations and maintenance of the county's four airports. During his tenure, the Myrtle Beach International Airport became the third fastest growing airport in the nation.

In 2001, Mr. Winters became the founding President of JT3 LLC, leading a team of companies in integrating multiple range operations and maintenance contracts in support of government testing.

General Winters was a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours in 37 types of aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.