Major Gregory S. Barber was born in Montana in 1957. As a young man he attended Mead High School, finishing in 1976 as an honor student and Eagle Scout in Spokane, Washington.
He graduated from Washington State University in spring 1981 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Once commissioned as a second lieutenant in February 1977, he was stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, for Undergraduate Helicopter Pilot Training. He graduated on the Commander’s List and moved to his first flying assignment in May 1982, at Detachment 22, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (MAC), Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. There he earned a regular commission and quickly advanced to UN-1N Flight Examiner Pilot, flying combat rescue training and drug enforcement missions in the Bahamas. He logged 7 “Saves” and 13 “Assists” while at Mountain Home.
Given the opportunity to fly fixed wing, he moved to Vance AFB, Enid, Oklahoma, in January 1987, for Fixed Wing Qualification. After completion, he moved to the 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron (MAC) at Rhein-Mein Air Base, Germany in the Spring of 1988.
As an HC-130 pilot, he logged 9 Saves and 10 assists. He has accrued 1400 flying hours in helicopters and 2600 hours in different versions of the C-130 Hercules. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1986 and several formal advanced tactics schools. He currently holds a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management completed with a 4.0 grade point from the University of Phoenix.
His decorations and awards include a Joint Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, two AF Commendation Medals, the AF Achievement Medal, five AF Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor Device, three Combat Readiness Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, three Southwest Asia Service Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, three AF Longevity Service Award Ribbons, two Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbons, AF Training Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
Major Barber is married to his wife Teresa and has four children, his daughters Tiffany, 30, August, 29 and deceased sons Ryan and Reed. He also has started a new family with daughters Aliya, 9, Samie Jo, 5 and Gracie Mae, 2.
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Photos provided by: Greg Barber Maj., Retired
Gregory S. Barber
Major Barber is currently the Chief, Location and Identification Division, of the Joint Combat Search and Rescue Test and Evaluation (OSD) at Nellis AFB. His last assignment was at 12th Air Force, Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona. While at 12 AF, he was the only Number Air Force HC-130 Pilot evaluator pilot in the Air Force giving top of pyramid check rides for all active, guard and reserve commanders.
He quickly advanced to C-130E All Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS) Instructor Pilot and flew missions all over the world including a 7-month deployment at Al Ain Air Base, United Arab Emirates, for Desert Shield/Storm. His next assignment with the 71st Rescue Squadron (AMC/ACC) at Patrick AFB, Florida in June, 1991, activating the Air Force’s only active duty rescue tanker unit. He upgraded to HC-130P Flight Examiner soon after arrival and was “the key to all unit initial success.” During this assignment, he was deployed to King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, as the deployed Operations Officer for 3-months. Because of his experience in both helicopter and fixed-wing combat rescue, he was handpicked for a key position at the newly formed Combat Rescue School (ACC) in July 1993, at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
