Major General Rex Driggers

A Mount Pleasant Texas native, Rex Driggers served his country and state with honor and distinction culminating 37 years in the military. He was commissioned in 1955 and graduated in the top of his class from the USAF Flight School. He served as an all weather instrument flying instructor pilot for the 3555 Combat Crew Training Wing. E completed nine years of active duty in 1964 and transferred to the Texas Air National Guard, initially assigned to fly the six engine KC-97L. He regularly participated in and lend over 15 deployments to Europe as an aircrew member and Commander supporting OPERATION CREEK PARTY, which lasted over ten years during the Cold War and into the Vietnam era. OPERATION CREEK PARTY kept the U.S. Air Force fighters in Europe refueled and in the air with full combat capability.
In 1978, then Lt. Col. Driggers was instrumental in the 136th Air Refueling Wing;s complete mission conversion from air refueling to tactical airlift. He supported the transition to the C-130 B aircraft and in 1985, as the 136th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Driggers guided the unit through another conversion to the new C-130 H aircraft. His motivation and leadership capabilities let his units to a rating of excellent on all inspections during his command. He was and outstanding pilot and Instructor amassing over 6,000 hours in the military and 23,000 hours as an American Airline pilot, all accident free.
He served as the Commander of the Texas Air National Guard from 1989 to 1992 where he commanded close to 4,000 enlisted and officer service members throughout 11 military installations in Texas. He relentlessly worked to obtain congressional approval and funding for the current Headquarters Texas Air National Guard facility at Camp Mabry in Austin,Texas. The facility has been home to the Texas Air National Guard for over 25 years helping to fortify the Air Guard's presence on an Army installation while bolstering airmen morale. He was readily recognized by his peers for his ability to utilize assets available under his command to make critical intuitive decision for all Texas Air National Guard units. He exuded his love for his county, state of Texas, and duty, by all of his actions as demonstrated by his career and memorable unit visits and Commander's Calls.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf cluster, President Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters and numerous other federal and state awards.
Even in his retirement, Major General Driggers continued to show his dedication and support to the military community. He helped organize the Branson, Missouri Veteran's Week festiviteis hosting approximately 75,000 veterans per event.

Texas Air National Guard

2014