Lieutenant General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Malcom “Mac” Armstrong grew up in Bastrop, Louisiana and graduated from LSU with a bachelor's degree in geology. He was Cadet Wing Commander in the Air Force ROTC program at LSU and, while working on his master’s degree, was called to active duty service.
Armstrong earned his wings in 1965 and was assigned to the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. During the Vietnam War, he flew tours of combat duty in Thailand from 1967 to 1970. He served as an operations staff officer in Korea with Tactical Air Command and then attended the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.
During Operation Desert Storm, General Armstrong was sent to Israel to persuade the nation from entering into war despite repeated Iraqi SCUD missile attacks. After Operation Desert Storm, he became Vice Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces. These forces were at 70 locations in 15 countries, with more than 54,000 personnel operating more than 530 aircraft.