In January 1969, he returned to the United States and was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, where he served as an executive officer, squadron air officer commanding and group air officer commanding until May 1972. He then attended the Army War College, graduating in 1973.[1]
He transferred to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in June 1973 as wing deputy commander, and then served as commander of the Basic Military Training School. That same year, he received a master's degree in communication from Shippensburg State College. In July 1975, he was assigned to the Directorate of Personnel Plans, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C., as chief of the Motivation and Communications Branch and, later, became chief of the Leadership and Motivation Division.[1]
He was promoted to general on December 1, 1986, with same date of rank. He retired on September 30, 1989.[1] After his retirement, he was appointed as the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration in June 1993; he resigned in January 1994 in response to the change in Presidential administration (from Bush Sr. to Clinton).[3] Richards died on August 9, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas.[4]
.svg){kind=small}
