Bentley Rayburn
Central 1972
Major General Bentley B. Rayburn graduated from Central High in 1971. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and basic sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master's degree in government from Georgetown University. He is an honor graduate from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS. He is currently stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
Bentley is commandant of Air War College and vice commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. His current duties include directing and evaluating the post-graduate level programs of the U.S. Air Force's senior professional military educational institution.
The curriculum is focused on military strategy and the employment of air and space power and program and is geared to improve the Air Force's contribution to national security. The program has an added urgency due to the current war on terrorism. Bentley has been in this position since August of 2001.
Military awards Bentley has received are many, including the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medial, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He has also been honored with the Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Bentley is rated as a command pilot and has over 3000 flight hours. He has been stationed in locations including Saudi Arabia and South Korea. He has also participated in the Department of State Senior Seminar in Washington, D.C. In 1990, the U.S. Jaycees named Bentley one of their Ten Outstanding Young Americans.