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Maj Gen (Ret) Charles “Rex” Driggers
The former commander of the Texas Air National Guard began his military career in 1955 and served for over 37 years. He made an extraordinary contribution to the transformation of the TXMF by initiating and commanding the introduction of the C-130 Hercules tactical aircraft at the 136th Airlift Wing in Fort Worth. Maj Gen (Ret) Driggers changed the outlook and focus of the Texas Air National Guard when he instituted combat training and encouraged closer cooperation with the active duty Air Force. He led Texas ANG aircrews and support personnel from the 136th to participate in Red Flag combat training exercises. This training outlook improved coordination between the active duty and guard air forces, and was a foundation that was built upon during aerial operations during the Gulf War. This was instrumental in achieving mission success. During his time as Texas ANG Commander, Driggers elevated the role and contributions of the Air Guard into TXMF statewide operations. He oversaw the development and construction of the Air Guard’s state headquarters building at Camp Mabry. This led to increased cooperation and missions involving Texas ANG units and the TXMF leadership team. He was also a Captain with American Airlines from 1966 to 1993.

Personal Life
Born on May 16, 1933 in Mount Pleasant to Charles G. Driggers and Dona Chapman Driggers. General Driggers joined the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant through the ROTC Program in 1955 after having received a degree from East Texas State University.

Early in General Driggers’ career, he trained in both the T-34 and T-28 for primary flight training. He was soon assigned as an instructor pilot in the 3555th Combat Crew Training Wing. Driggers left active duty in 1964 pursuing private employment although; he joined the U.S.A.F. Reserves 69th Troop Carrier Squadron.

In 1965 he transferred to the Texas Air National Guard as a member of the 181st Air Refueling Squadron where he served in refueling missions all over the world. He joined American Airlines in 1966 where he ultimately was rated as Captain of both the Boeing 727 and the McDonald Douglass DC-10 where he flew both domestically and internationally.

He 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 led 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.

In 1982, Driggers was transferred to the 136th Airlift Wing as Director of Wing Operations then promoted to Wing Commander of the 136th. Airlift Wing in 1984.

In 1986, Driggers was reassigned to Texas where he became Commander of all eleven Air National Guard units in State of Texas and served in that capacity until 1992, when he retired at the rank of Major General. And in 1993 he retired from American Airlines at rank of Captain.

Legacy
Over the span of his career, General Driggers gained over 6,000 hours in the military and 23,000 hours as an American Airline pilot, all accident free.

He relentlessly worked to obtain congressional approval and funding for the current Headquarters Texas Air National Guard facility at Camp Mabry in Austin. 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.

Death
Major General (Ret.) Charles Rex Driggers, 86, passed away on July 6, 2019 at his home in Mount Pleasant.