PEACHTREE CITY, GA. (April 24, 2023) – Maj. Gen. (Ret.) George B. Harrison, a member of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia since 2003, will be inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame on April 29 in Macon, Ga.
Harrison will be recognized for an outstanding career of military and civilian aviation service. The general entered the Air Force in 1962 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He commanded a test squadron and a tactical training wing, and served as chief of the joint operations division, J-3, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Harrison commanded the U.S. Air Force Air Warfare Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and commanded the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Harrison was a command pilot, having flown more than 4,900 hours in a variety of tactical aircraft. More than 500 of those hours were flown in combat over Southeast and Southwest Asia.
He served as Chief, Joint Operations Division, OJCS and was instrumental in the planning and execution of the American retaliatory raid on Libya, the capture of the Achille Lauro hijackers and numerous other contingencies. He flew 260 combat missions in the F-4 and 0-1 during the Vietnam War and 14 combat missions in the F-16C during Operation Provide Comfort in Iraq.
Extensively involved in general aviation, he served as a Check Pilot Examiner in powered aircraft and gliders, reaching more than 1,000 young men and women as an instructor in 15 CAP glider summer programs. As Principal Research Engineer (Emeritus), Georgia Tech Research Institute, he directed the Electronic Systems Laboratory.
Awards include two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and 12 Air Medals, Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Association of Old Crows Gold medal for Electronic Warfare, the USAF Glen Kent Award for leadership in Air Force analysis, and the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
Harrison has been an active member of Airbase Georgia (formerly Dixie Wing) for 20 years, serving many critical roles, including pilot and check airman for Airbase members. He is the second unit member to be inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame, joining former Wing Leader Vic Hewes, who was a WWII hero, Delta Air Lines pilot and noted aviation fire safety expert. Hewes was inducted in 1997.