Eglin Air Force Base announced this week the death of former Air Force Program Executive Officer for Weapons and Commander, Air Armament Center, Air Force Material Command, Major General Robert W. Chedister.

In his role, Major General Chedister ensured the responsible development, acquisition, testing, deployment, and sustainment of air-delivered weapons.

But his time as a commander was not his first rotation at Eglin Air Force Base. General Chedister served a four-year assignment from 1980 to 1984 as a test pilot at the 3246th Test Wing.

Chedister was born in the small town of Hazen, Arkansas – about halfway between Little Rock and Memphis. He was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force after completing an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at the University of Arkansas. He graduated with a master’s degree in management from Troy University in Alabama, as well as the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

While in the Air Force, General Chedister served as a test squadron commander, deputy commander of operations for a test wing, systems program director for a major weapons system, test center commander, and a program executive officer. He was rated as a command pilot.

Additionally, General Chedister had more than 3,000 flying hours as a test pilot and fighter pilot. The general made flights in the A-7, OV-10, F-4, F-16, F-15, F-117, C-12, T-38 and T-37.

General Chedister was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.