General Alfred G. Hansen, USAF (Ret), is president and chief operating officer of EMS Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of wireless communications and logistics solutions, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. General Hansen is responsible for the day-to-day operations of EMS’ business units–the Space & Technology and Wireless Products groups. EMS has approximately 1,600 employees worldwide, and revenues of $240 million. EMS is a leading provider of broadband wireless communications and commercial space solutions, and is a major supplier of wireless systems for the distribution industry. The company is headquartered in Atlanta and has major manufacturing facilities in Atlanta, Ottawa, and Montreal.
General Hansen most recently served as president of A.G. Hensen Associates, Inc., and aerospace marketing and manufacturing consultancy in Marietta, Georgia. Prior to establishing his own consultancy, he worked at Lockheed Martin as corporate vice president and executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems.
General Hansen retired from the United States Air Force in October 1989. During his last assignment, he served as commander of the Air Force Logistics Command, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He was responsible for providing the logistics resources necessary to keep USAF units around the world in a state of readiness. Under Hansen’s command were five logistics centers and twelve specialized centers with more than 100,000 people.
During his tenure as commander of the Logistics command, he started the first total quality effort in the Air Force. For his efforts in this area, he was awarded the Eugene Zuckert Award for Management Excellence. Later in 1991, the Logistics Command was selected for the Presidential Quality Award – the equivalent of the Malcolm Baldridge Award in the federal sector.
General Hansen was born April 13, 1933, in New York City. He graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, Long Island, NY, in 1951 and then attended Hofstra College. The general received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Troy State University in 1972. He completed Air Command and Staff College in 1966, and Air War College in 1972.
He initially enlisted in the Air Force and later was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the aviation cadet program, receiving his pilot wings in February 1955 at Vance Air Force Base, OK. His first assignment was with the 303rd Air Refueling Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force base, AZ, as a KC-97 pilot. In December 1958 the general was assigned to Castle Air Force Base, CA, for KC-135 combat crew training and upon completion was assigned as an EC-135 and KC-135 pilot with the 34th Air Refueling Squadron at Offut Air Force Base, NE, until August 1965.
After graduating from Air Command and Staff College in July 1966, General Hansen was assigned to the Air Force Systems Command, Headquarters Air Force Eastern Test Range, Patrick Air Force Base, FL, and served as a member of the Apollo spacecraft recovery team until March 1968. He then was assigned to Makthon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, as an A-1 pilot with the 1st Air Commando Squadron, later redesignated the 1st Special Operations Squadron. He flew 113 combat missions. From September 196? to March 1969 he served in the Republic of Vietnam as a fighter operations staff officer at Headquarters 7th Air Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
General Hansen was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force base, VA, from April 1969 to July 1971. While there he served as chief and, later, operations staff officer in the Aircraft Allocation and Flying Hour, and Operational Planning branches, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations. After completing Air War College in November 1972, he was assigned to Pope Air Force Base, NC. He first served as operations officer with the 393th Tactical Airlift Squadron and then, from June 1973 until 1974, as commander of the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron. During this period he commanded several overseas squadron rotational missions in Thailand, England, and West Germany. He then was assigned to the 317th Tactical Airlift Wing staff as the deputy commander for maintenance. After graduating with honors from the Aircraft Maintenance-Avionics Officers Course at Chanute Air Force Base, IL, in 1975, he returned to the wing as deputy commander for maintenance.
In October 1977 General Hansen was assigned to Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base IL, as director of maintenance engineering. The general assumed command of the 314th Tactical Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, AR, in October 1978. During his tenure the wing participated in the Worldwide Airlift competition, winning test maintenance award in 1979 and the General William Moore trophy for best overall airlift wing in 1981. In August 1981 he returned to Military Airlift Command headquarters as deputy chief of staff for logistics, responsible for ensuring the logistics readiness of worldwide airlift forces.
From February 1983 to May 1985 he was assigned as director for logistics plans and programs, Office of the Deputy Chef of Staff for Logistics and Engineering, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He also served as primary member of the Air Staff Board. In June 1985 he became director for logistics, J-4, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C. In this position he was responsible for worldwide logistics in support of theater commanders’ war plans, was a member of the Senior NATO Logistics Forum and directed the study that resulted in the formation of the U.S. Transportation Command. He assumed his present command in July 1987.
General Hansen is a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours. His military decorations and award include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
General Hansen is married to the former Donna Benton of Mineral Wells, TX. They have four children.
Click here to read General Hansen’s final official USAF biography.