B/Gen Haugen served as the first commander of the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field during its activation July 30, 1971. Born in Sheldon, ND and raised in Milwaukee, B/Gen Haugen enlisted as an aviation cadet during the Korean conflict and served as a C-119 pilot in Korea and Indo-China (Vietnam) logging 311 combat hours. Don transitioned from Active Duty to join American Airlines. After the airline furloughs of 1958 Don joined the Reserves later becoming one of the first instructor pilot Air Reserve Technicians. A career that spanned 32 years and included commands at all levels including two Wing Commands, he logged in over 8,000 flying hours, predominately in the C130.

Don was born on March 21, 1931 to Edwin and Agnes (Shodean) Haugen. Don is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Kristine Haugen and grandson Taylor Haugen. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy, daughte,r Diana Theriot (Perry), son, Brian Haugen (Kathy), step-granddaughter, Periann Theriot, sister, Marcella Schmidt (Richard) of Mequon, WI, nieces and other relatives.

B/Gen Haugen has numerous awards, citations and degrees including the Air War College, a MSBA from George Washington University and he earned the Legion of Merit with two clusters among many other decorations. Additionally, Don was a charter member of Rocky Bayou Country Club, active with the Quiet Birdman, the Order of the Daedalians and the ROA as well as the Avanti Club.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, December 5th, 2015 at Crosspoint Methodist Church in Niceville, with full military honors (uniforms welcomed) with reception to follow at Rocky Bayou Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted to the Taylor Haugen Foundation.

Our Original Duke Field Pioneer and First Commander, Brigadier General Donald E. Haugen, passed away, at his home in Niceville, FL, early Tuesday morning, 1 December 2015, after a long and  courageous battle with cancer. As many of us remember, he assumed command of the newly activated  919th Tactical Airlift Group in July 1971. He led us through 2 C-130 conversions and 1ORI prior to his departure for Robins AFB, GA in 1974 to be the AFRES Assistant Director of Operations (ADO). He later moved on to be Commander, 459th Tactical Airlift Wing at Andrews AFB, MD and was promoted to Brigadier General. From there, he was assigned as Commander, 439th Tactical Airlift Wing at Westover ARB, MA, the largest AFRES base installation. He retired in 1983 and moved back to his home in Niceville, FL. In retirement, he continued his connection with the 919th through his active support and advocacy for the 919th Special Operations Wing and our Retiree Associations. The Duke Field Family held a very "Special" place in his heart and he was so very proud of the many accolades and outstanding achievements our unit attained over the years. He served our Nation and the United States Air Force with great honor and distinction and will truly be missed by All.

Below is a Memory note from Bill Bosley,

I learned a lot from General Haugen. First time I saw him he was a sitting at a desk in the four room WW II ops building under the control tower at Duke field. It was summer of 1971. At the time I think the newly established 919 Tactical Airlift Group (TAG) consisted only of Lt Col Haugen, Cmdr and Major Roy Ayers, 711th Cmdr. They did an amazing job of building an outstanding tactical airlift outfit from almost nothing. They got hold of 4 or 5 two story barracks left over from WW II and modified them into a crude headquarters and operations complex complete with all the support functions needed for a successful flying organization. About the time we got our aircrews recruited and trained in the C-130A, we converted to C-130Bs.  Again, we recruited, trained and successfully completed our first ORI. Lt Col Haugen did a such great job of completing these monumental tasks in a superior manor that they promoted him to full Colonel and sent him to Robins AFB, Ga. to serve as AFRES ADO. The most significant thing Lt Col Haugen drove home to me is "you never get a second chance to make a first impression". I remember he brought a fresh shirt and shoes to work most every day and changed at noon. The going observation by his troops is "Haugen never sweats."  Paint everything and mow the grass the day before and you are half way to a good report when the inspection team lands. This was a great guy and "exceptional commander" who fought a courageous battle against cancer. We will miss him a lot.