Albert C. Guidotti

Albert C. Guidotti (1934 – May 23, 2020) was a United States Air Force brigadier general who served as vice commander of 21st Air Force, commander of the 76th Airlift Division at Andrews Air Force Base, and commander of the 436th Military Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base. A command pilot with more than 6,700 flight hours, he served in the Vietnam War as chief controller of the Rescue Coordination Center for Southeast Asia.

Early life and education

Guidotti was born in 1934 in Oakland, California, and graduated from Castlemont High School in 1952. Through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in 1956 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He later completed the Squadron Officer School and graduated from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in May 1973.

Military career

Early assignments

Guidotti completed pilot training at McAllen and Laredo Air Force Bases, Texas, receiving his wings in February 1958. From 1958 to January 1960 he served as a ground control intercept controller at Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia, then transferred to Villatobas Air Base, Spain, as a GCI controller and chief of training until 1963. From 1963 to 1969, he was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, flying the C-135 as a flight examiner, serving as flight simulator chief, and later flying the C-141 as a flight examiner.

Vietnam War

From April 1969 to April 1970, Guidotti served in the Vietnam War as chief controller of the Rescue Coordination Center for Southeast Asia at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, coordinating combat search and rescue operations across the theater.

89th Military Airlift Wing and Air War College

Following his Vietnam tour, Guidotti flew VC-135 aircraft as an instructor pilot and chief of current operations with the 89th Military Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, the wing responsible for airlift of the President and senior government officials. After graduating from Air War College in 1973, he served at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as chief of the Services and Independent Wings Management Division at Military Airlift Command headquarters.

In July 1974, Guidotti returned to Andrews as commander of the 98th Military Airlift Squadron within the 89th Military Airlift Wing, then served as deputy commander for operations and assistant deputy commander for operations of that wing. In September 1977 he transferred to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, as deputy commander for operations of the 437th Military Airlift Wing.

Wing and division commands

On February 14, 1980, Guidotti assumed command of the 436th Military Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, succeeding Archer L. Durham. He was relieved by Col. Paul A. Harvey on January 26, 1982.

In February 1982, Guidotti assumed command of the 76th Airlift Division at Andrews Air Force Base, again succeeding Durham. The division's subordinate units included the 89th Military Airlift Wing (Air Force One and executive airlift), the 1776th Air Base Wing, Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center, the 1100th Air Base Wing, the United States Air Force Band, and the United States Air Force Honor Guard. As division commander, Guidotti also served as the Air Force representative in the Military District of Washington.

He was promoted to brigadier general on August 1, 1982. His final assignment was as vice commander of 21st Air Force at McGuire Air Force Base, beginning in August 1984. Guidotti retired from active duty on June 1, 1986. He died on May 23, 2020.

Assignments

Flight information

Awards and decorations

Effective dates of promotion

See also

• 76th Air Division
• 436th Airlift Wing
• 89th Airlift Wing

External links