Jim is a 1952 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds Master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering from Princeton and international relations from George Washington University. Professional military education includes the Royal Air Force Staff College, the National War College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Combat experience includes the Korean War (F-86F, one MIG 15 destroyed) and the Vietnam War (F-105D/F, seventeen SA-2 sites destroyed). As Commander of the Wild Weasel Squadron, he led fifty-six Iron Hand missions over the high threat Route Package VI area as well as twelve “Ryan Raider” night deep strike interdiction missions against targets in the Hanoi area. For his work in the Red River Valley, General McInerney was awarded the Air Force Association Citation of Honor in 1968 for “outstanding combat leadership for developing new tactics for the air war in North Vietnam.” He is a recipient of the Air Force Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, and eighteen Air Medals.