Robert F. Durkin

Major General Robert Francis Durkin and graduated from Youngstown South High School in 1954. He earned a bachelor of science degree in military science from the United States Military Academy in 1958, and a master of science degree in engineering management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1966. General Durkin completed Armed Forces Staff College in 1971, Air War College in 1978 and graduated from the Institute for Higher Defense Studies in 1983.

Career Upon graduation from United States Military Academy, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He began primary pilot training at Bartow Air Force Base, Florida, and was awarded his wings in September 1959, when he completed basic pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. General Durkin then attended F-86L interceptor training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, and B-52 combat crew training at Castle Air Force Base, California; before reporting to his first operational assignment as a B-52 co-pilot with the 4038th Strategic Wing, Dow Air Force Base, Maine, in 1960.

Also during his tenure, Durkin oversaw Phase II (Mark 90) of the Digital Production System (DPS), an ambitious and critical modernization program which sought to redesign and retool the agency's mapping, charting, and geodesy production systems and processes. Phase I (Mark 85) of the DPS upgraded DMA's film-based production system and provided an initial digital exploitation capability using new source materials. Phase II (Mark 90) provided an all-digital production system, increased throughput, provided greater product flexibility and improved responsiveness for the products in the DPS baseline.

Awards, and decorations Major General Durkin was a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours, including ninety-seven combat missions in Southeast Asia. His military decorations and awards include: Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Combat Readiness Medal Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal