AUSTIN, Texas—General Lester L. Lyles of the United States Air Force will give the address at the ROTC Joint Commissioning Ceremony that will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 19 at Bates Recital Hall. Lyles is commander, Air Force Material Command, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
A graduate of Howard University Lyles entered the Air Force in 1968 and was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After completing the National War College in 1985, he served as director of tactical aircraft systems at Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. In 1987, he was assigned director of the Medium-Launch Vehicles Program, Headquarters Space Systems Division, Los Angeles Air Force Station, Calif. and subsequently became the assistant deputy commander.
He became AFSC headquarters’ assistant deputy chief of staff for requirement in 1989 and deputy chief of staff for requirements in 1990. In 1992, he was vice commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base. He served as commander of the center from 1993 until 1994. He was assigned to command the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base until 1996. The general became director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization in 1996.
In May 1999, Lyles was appointed the Vice Chief of Staff, Washington, D.C. He assumed his current post in April. The general’s military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
For more information, contact Major Thom H. Terwilliger, associate professor, ROTC at (512) 471-1776.
