USAFA Class Heritage

Biography

United States Air Force

COLONEL JACK A. MARTINES,  USAFA Class of 1963

Colonel Martines was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City and entered the United States Air Force Academy in June of 1959, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in International Affairs. His professional schools include the Air Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Air War College.

 After commissioning in 1963, Colonel Martines attended pilot training at ReeseAFB, Texas, and graduated in 1964.

From 1964 to 1966, he was assigned to the 960th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron at Otis AFB, Massachusetts, where he flew the EC-121. In June of 1966, he was assigned to Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, where he flew the U---6 and U-1O aircraft until June 1967. During his tour in Southeast Asia, Colonel Martines attended the U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course and earned his parachute wings with the 1st Special Forces Group, Okinawa, Japan.

 He returned to the States in June of 1967 to fly the EB-57 ( short wing and high altitude long wing) with the 4677th Air Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah, until 1969. From June 1969 until Jan 1971, Colonel Martines earned his Master's Degree in Latin American Studies while  studying at The University of New Mexico and at the Andean Center of UNM in Quito, Ecuador. He was subsequently  assigned as a language instructor at the United States Air Force Academy from January 1971 to July 1974. 

He served as an Exchange Officer with the Spanish Air Force at the Spanish Air Force Academy in San Javier, Spain, teaching English/Flying programs from 1974 to 1976. In 1976 he returned to fly the EB-57 at Malmstrom AFB, Montana until 1978.

 In 1978 Colonel Martines was transferred to Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, to fly the C-130 aircraft for the Military Airlift Command. While at Clark AB, he was Chief, Current Operations. In 1980 he was assigned to Osan AB, Korea, as Commander of the 61lth Military Airlift Support Squadron. 

 From 1982 until 1984, Colonel Martines served with the Plans Directorate as Division Chief: Policy and Doctrine and Executive Officer to the DCS Plans at Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Illinois.  In April 1986  he was assigned to the Pentagon as Chief, Caribbean Basin Branch, Western Hemisphere Division, Plans and Policy Directorate, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as Executive Officer to the Director of the Joint Staff. 

Colonel Martines served as the Vice Commandant at the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, California, from May 1986 until June 1987.

 From July 1987 until July 1990, Colonel Martines was the Commander, 603d Military Airlift Support Group, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. From August 1990 to August 1991 he was the Environmental Manager, 1606th Air Base Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. He retired in August of 1991.

 Colonel Martines is a Command Pilot with over 4,000 flying hours including 385 Combat Support hours in South East Asia.

His military decorations include: The Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with three devices, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Spanish Air Force Aeronautical Merit Medal.

 He was promoted to Colonel on March 1, 1984, with the same date of rank. Colonel Martines is married to the former Alice Olson of Salt Lake City, Utah. They have five children: Leslie, Catherine, Michael, Matthew, and Andrew.