Gen. Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton, USAF (ret.)

General Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) four-star general who served as Commander, Air Education and Training Command (COMAETC) from 1997 to 2000. He was also the first African-American pilot in the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Newton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, where he was commissioned as a distinguished graduate through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1966.

After completing pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, in June 1967, he attended F-4D Phantom qualification training at George Air Force Base, California. He flew 269 combat missions from Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, including 79 missions over North Vietnam.

Newton was selected to join the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, in November 1974. He held several positions including narrator, slot pilot and right wingman.

From 1978 to 1982 he was assigned as a USAF congressional liaison officer with the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. He has commanded three wings and an air division, and held numerous staff positions. From 1993 to 1995 he was director of operations, J-3, United States Special Operations Command. Newton was a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-4, F-15, F-16, C-12 and F-117 stealth fighter.

In 2000 Newton joined Pratt & Whitney as the Vice President of Business Development (Military Engines), a position that he held until 2006.

EDUCATION

1966 Bachelor of Science degree in aviation education, Tennessee State University, Nashville
1978 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
1985 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.
1985 Master of Arts degree in public administration, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
1987 National Security Senior Executives Course, Harvard University, Massachusetts

ASSIGNMENTS and PROMOTIONS

March 23, 1966 – Commissioned as a second lieutenant

June 1966 – June 1967, pilot training, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona

June 1967 – April 1968, F-4D qualification training, George Air Force Base, California

December 12, 1967 – Promoted to first lieutenant

April 1968 – April 1969, F-4D pilot and systems operator, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam

April–November 1969, F-4D upgrade qualification training, George Air Force Base, California

Promoted to captain June 12, 1969

November 1969 – November 1973, F-4D pilot, 523rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Clark Air Base, Philippines

November 1973 – November 1974, F-4D flight instructor pilot, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona

November 1974 – February 1978, narrator and slot pilot, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

February–June 1978, student, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia

Promoted to major January 1, 1978

June–December 1978, right wingman and narrator, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

December 1978 – February 1982, congressional liaison officer, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel October 1, 1980

February–June 1982, F-16 qualification training, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

June 1982 – June 1983, assistant deputy commander for operations, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea

June 1983 – August 1984, assistant deputy commander for operations, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah

Promoted to colonel December 1, 1983

August 1984 – August 1985, student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.

August 1985 – November 1986, assistant deputy director for operations and training, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

November 1986 – July 1988, assistant director of special projects, directorate of plans, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

July 1988 – May 1989, commander, 71st Air Base Group, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma

May 1989 – May 1990, commander, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma

May 1990 – August 1991, commander, 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

Promoted to brigadier general August 3, 1991

August–November 1991, commander, 833rd Air Division, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico

November 1991 – July 1993, commander, 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico

July 1993 – May 1995, director of operations, J-3, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

Promoted to major general August 10, 1993

Promoted to lieutenant general May 25, 1995

June 1995 – March 1997, assistant vice chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

March 1997 – 2000, commander, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

Promoted to general April 1, 1997

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,000
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-4, F-15, F-16, F-117 and C-12
Pilot wings from: Williams Air Force Base, Arizona

MAJOR AWARDS and DECORATIONS

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters
Vietnam Service Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

1997 Honorary doctorate in aeronautical science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida

1999 Honorary doctor of science degree, Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina
International Air and Space Hall of Fame (2018)[4]

2023 Order of the Palmetto, presented by Governor Henry McMaster during a ceremony on July 12 at the statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina.[5]

References
"A new book "Living the Dream: The Story of Lloyd W. "Fig" Newton" co-authored by local Murrells Inlet woman". WMBF. March 9, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021. After graduating from high school, Newton left the Lowcountry for college at Tennessee State University, where he excelled and also picked up the nickname "Fig," which would stay with him the rest of his life.
"News Release: General Officer Announcement". Defense.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
"Thunderbird's First African American Pilot Becomes Four-Star General". Raahistory.com. 1968-04-04. Archived from the original on 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
"World's Most Prestigious Air & Space Hall of Fame to Enshrine Distinguished Class of 2018". San Diego Air & Space Museum. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
"Jasper native Ret. General Newton receives Order of the Palmetto". Bluffton Today. Retrieved October 19, 2023.

Public Domain - This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force