100 Notable alumni of
United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
Updated:
United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs is 394th in the world, 157th in North America, and 147th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 100 notable alumni from United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
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Gregg Popovich
- Occupations
- basketball coachbasketball player
- Biography
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Gregg Charles Popovich is an American professional basketball executive and former coach who is the president for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the head coach of the Spurs for 29 seasons from 1996 to 2025, during which he won five NBA championships, and was the longest tenured active coach in the NBA as well as all other major sports leagues in the United States. He has been a member of the Spurs organization since 1994, originally as president of basketball operations and general manager, before taking over as coach in 1996. Nicknamed "Coach Pop", Popovich has the most wins of any coach in NBA history, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time.
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Chesley Sullenberger
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military officerglider pilotauthorcommercial pilotexpert
- Biography
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Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III is an American retired aircraft pilot, diplomat and aviation safety expert, who is best known for his actions as captain of US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009, when he ditched the plane on the Hudson River after both engines were disabled by a bird strike; all 155 people aboard survived. After the Hudson landing, Sullenberger became an outspoken advocate for aviation safety and helped develop new protocols for flight safety. He served as the co-chairman, along with his co-pilot on Flight 1549, Jeffrey Skiles, of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles youth introduction-to-aviation program from 2009 to 2013.
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Clarence Gilyard
- Occupations
- television directortelevision actorpedagogueactorfilm actor
- Biography
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Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr. was an American actor. On television, he played private investigator Conrad McMasters on the legal drama series Matlock (1986–95) and Texas Ranger Jimmy Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001).
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Martha McSally
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- In 1988 graduated with Master of Science
- Occupations
- professormilitary officeraircraft pilotpolitician
- Biography
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Martha Elizabeth McSally is an American politician and former military pilot who represented Arizona in both chambers of Congress between 2015 and 2020. She is the most recent Republican to serve Arizona in the U.S. Senate.
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Rumen Radev
- Occupations
- military personnelmilitary officeraircraft pilotpolitician
- Biography
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Rumen Georgiev Radev is a Bulgarian politician and former Bulgarian Air Force officer who served as the president of Bulgaria from 2017 until his resignation in 2026, the first to do so in Bulgaria's post-communist history.
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David Perdue
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Studied in 1968-1969
- Occupations
- business consultantbusinesspersonentrepreneurbusiness executivepolitician
- Biography
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David Alfred Perdue Jr. is an American diplomat, politician, and businessman serving as the 14th United States ambassador to China since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Perdue previously served as a United States senator for Georgia from 2015 to 2021. He was an unsuccessful candidate for governor of Georgia in 2022.
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Paul Skenes
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Studied in 2020-2022
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Biography
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Paul David Skenes is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024. Skenes played college baseball for the Air Force Falcons and Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers.
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Ng Chee Meng
- Years
- 1968-.. (age 58)
- Occupations
- Chief of Defence Forcefighter pilotpolitician
- Biography
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Ng Chee Meng PJG PPA PPA(G) PBS (born 8 August 1968) is a Singaporean politician, union leader and former lieutenant-general. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has been the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) since 2018 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC) since 2025. He had previously represented the Punggol North division of Pasir Ris–Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) between 2015 and 2020.
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Joe Lombardi
- Occupations
- lacrosse playeroffensive coordinatorAmerican football coach
- Biography
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Joseph Philip Lombardi is an American professional football coach and former player who currently serves as a senior offensive assistant for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers. Lombardi also previously served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi.
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David L. Goldfein
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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David Lee Goldfein is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 21st Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He previously served as the vice chief of staff of the Air Force and, prior to that, he served as the director of the Joint Staff, a position within the Joint Chiefs of Staff who assists the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Goldfein retired from the Air Force on October 1, 2020, after over 37 years of service.
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Reichen Lehmkuhl
- Occupations
- actormilitary officermodel
- Biography
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Reichen Lehmkuhl, is an American lawyer, businessman, reality show winner, former model, and former occasional actor. A former United States Air Force officer with the rank of captain, he is best known for winning season four of the reality game show The Amazing Race with his then-partner Chip Arndt, and for his much publicized 2006 relationship with pop singer Lance Bass.
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Heather Wilson
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- In 1982 graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- politicianmilitary officer
- Biography
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Heather Ann Wilson is the 11th President of the University of Texas at El Paso. She previously served as the 24th Secretary of the United States Air Force from 2017 through 2019, as the 12th president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology from 2013 to 2017, and as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 1998 to 2009. Wilson was the first female military veteran elected to a full term in Congress.
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Raja Chari
- Occupations
- test pilotair force officerfighter pilotengineerastronaut
- Biography
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Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari is an American test pilot and NASA astronaut. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and has over 2,000 flying hours. He is a brigadier general in the United States Air Force.
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Scott Kirby
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- In 1989 graduated with Bachelor of Science in computer science
- Occupations
- business executive
- Biography
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John Scott Kirby is an American executive and the CEO of United Airlines. He was president of US Airways, American Airlines, and United Airlines, later being promoted as CEO.
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Grady Booch
- Occupations
- computer scientistsoftware developerengineer
- Biography
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Grady Booch is an American software engineer, best known for developing the Unified Modeling Language (UML) with Ivar Jacobson and James Rumbaugh. He is recognized internationally for his innovative work in software architecture, software engineering, and collaborative development environments.
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Michael Blassie
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Michael Joseph Blassie was a United States Air Force officer who was killed in action during the Vietnam War in May 1972. Prior to the identification of his remains, Blassie was the unknown service member from the Vietnam War buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. After his remains were identified by DNA testing in 1998, they were reburied at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in his native St. Louis County, Missouri.
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Kim Campbell
- Occupations
- aircraft pilotmilitary officer
- Biography
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Colonel Kim Nichole Reed-Campbell is a retired United States Air Force officer and Command Pilot. She was decorated for piloting her A-10 Thunderbolt II back to base in southern Iraq after taking heavy anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) damage in aerial combat over Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. After her tour of duty in Iraq ended, Campbell gave lectures throughout the United States about her experience, including one at the National Air and Space Museum. Campbell was promoted to the rank of major in 2006.
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LeRoy Homer
- Occupations
- aircraft pilotair force officer
- Biography
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LeRoy Wilton Homer Jr. was the first officer of United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked as part of the September 11 attacks in 2001, and crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 37 passengers and seven crewmembers, including LeRoy.
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Madison Marsh
- Occupations
- beauty pageant contestantair force officer
- Biography
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Madison Isabella Marsh is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss America 2024. She had previously been crowned Miss Colorado 2023, and was both the fourth woman representing Colorado and the first member of the United States Armed Forces to win the title of Miss America. Outside of pageantry, Marsh is an officer in the United States Air Force.
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Mark Welsh
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Mark Anthony Welsh III is a retired United States Air Force four-star general and a member of the board of directors of Northrop Grumman. He was the 27th president of Texas A&M University, and is a former dean of its Bush School of Government & Public Service. Welsh was appointed by Barack Obama to serve as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Welsh was the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the associate director for Military Affairs of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the vice commander of Air Education and Training Command. In his early career, he served as a fighter pilot (primarily flying the F-16 and A-10 aircraft) and was a commander at the squadron, group, and wing level, in addition to assignments in training, operations, intelligence, and acquisitions. He was also the commandant of cadets of the United States Air Force Academy.
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Nick Hague
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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Tyler Nicklaus Hague is a United States Space Force brigadier general and retired NASA astronaut, selected as part of the 2013 astronaut class. Hague's first spaceflight was aboard Soyuz MS-10 on 11 October 2018, which was aborted shortly after launch. His second mission, Soyuz MS-12, successfully launched on 14 March 2019, where he joined Expedition 59/60 aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a flight engineer. Hague later commanded SpaceX Crew-9, transporting the crew of Expedition 72 to the ISS. The mission returned astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, both of whom had previously participated in the Boeing Crew Flight Test, to Earth on 18 March 2025.
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Nicole Malachowski
- Years
- 1974-.. (age 52)
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in management
- Occupations
- aircraft pilotmilitary officer
- Biography
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Nicole Margaret Ellingwood Malachowski is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) officer and the first female pilot selected to fly as part of the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds. She later became a speaker and advocate on behalf of patients with tick-borne illnesses.
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Paul J. Selva
- Occupations
- aircraft pilot
- Biography
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Paul Joseph Selva is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as the tenth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this capacity, he was the nation's second-highest-ranking military officer, and the highest-ranking officer in the Air Force. He assumed his last assignment on 31 July 2015, and retired on 1 August 2019. Selva is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours in the C-5, C-17A, C-141B, C-37, KC-10, KC-135A and T-37.
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David W. Allvin
- Years
- 1963-.. (age 63)
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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David Wayne Allvin is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 23rd chief of staff of the Air Force from 2 November 2023 to 3 November 2025. He most recently served as the 40th vice chief of staff of the Air Force from November 2020 to November 2023, and as acting chief of staff of the Air Force from September to November 2023.
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Frederick D. Gregory
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Frederick Drew Gregory is a former United States Air Force pilot, military engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut as well as former NASA deputy administrator. He also served briefly as NASA acting administrator in early 2005, covering the period between the departure of Sean O'Keefe and the swearing in of Michael D. Griffin.
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Susan J. Helms
- Occupations
- air force officerengineerastronautaircraft pilot
- Biography
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Susan Jane Helms is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general and NASA astronaut. She was the commander, 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic); and commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
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Kjell Lindgren
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in biology
- Occupations
- military officerastronautsurgeon
- Biography
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Kjell Norwood Lindgren is an American astronaut who was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20. He launched to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 44/45 on July 22, 2015.
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Douglas M. Fraser
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Douglas Malcolm Fraser, is a United States Air Force (USAF) general who served as the Commander, United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). He was the first USAF officer to become USSOUTHCOM's combatant commander. He previously served as Deputy Commander, United States Pacific Command from April 2008 to June 24, 2009. He assumed his final assignment on June 25, 2012.
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Jon Robinson
- Occupations
- scoutgeneral manager
- Biography
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Jonathan Thomas Robinson is an American professional football executive. He was a longtime scout for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) before being named director of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. From 2016 to 2022, Robinson was the general manager and executive vice president of the Tennessee Titans.
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Scott P. Moore
- Born in
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United States - Occupations
- military personnel
- Biography
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Scott P. Moore, is a retired Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. Moore is a former member of SEAL Team TWO and previously served as commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2007 to 2009. He is an Admiral Circle member for the exhibit SEAL: The Unspoken Sacrifice. He is active in the Navy SEAL Foundation.
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Chad Hennings
- Occupations
- air force officerAmerican football playeraircraft pilot
- Biography
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Chad William Hennings is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Air Force Falcons, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Outland Trophy in 1987.
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Brian L. Losey
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Brian Lee Losey is a retired rear admiral of the United States Navy. He headed the Naval Special Warfare Command from 2013 until his retirement in 2016. Losey is a native of Tacoma, Washington.
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Marshall B. Webb
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in biology
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Marshall Bradley "Brad" Webb is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who last served as commander of the Air Education and Training Command. He previously served as Commander, United States Air Force Special Operations Command and, before that, as Commander, NATO Special Operations Forces HQ. Previous to that assignment, he served as the Assistant Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and was involved in the 2011 operation to kill Osama bin Laden. Webb was seated next to President Barack Obama in the White House Situation Room during the mission. He later served as Director of Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Assessments, United States Air Force Special Operations Command.
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Charles Phillips
- Occupations
- businesspersonmilitary officer
- Biography
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Charles E. Phillips is an American business executive in the tech industry. He is the co-founder of Recognize, a focused investment firm. From 2010 to 2019, he was the CEO of Infor, a company that specializes in enterprise software applications for specific industries.
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Lance Sijan
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Lance Peter Sijan was a United States Air Force officer and fighter pilot. On March 4, 1976, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military award, for his selflessness and courage in the face of lethal danger.
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Jody Powell
- Occupations
- spokesperson
- Biography
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Joseph Lester "Jody" Powell, Jr. was an American political advisor who served as a White House press secretary during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. Powell later co-founded a public relations firm.
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Matt Mooney
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Studied in 2014-2015
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Matthew Marren Mooney is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and South Dakota having transferred after his freshman year at Air Force.
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Michael E. Ryan
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Michael Edward Ryan is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) general and was the 16th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from October 1997 to September 2001. He served as the senior uniformed USAF officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs functioned as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.
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Richard O. Covey
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Richard Oswalt Covey is a retired United States Air Force officer, former NASA astronaut, and a member of the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.
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Richard Stephen Ritchie
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Brigadier General Richard Stephen Ritchie served as an officer in the United States Air Force and the Colorado Air National Guard, and a general officer in the Air Force Reserve. Ritchie joined Navy Commander Randy Cunningham as the only two pilots (along with three airborne weapon systems officers) among the five American aces during the Vietnam War. Ritchie is a recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. Additionally, he is the 30th most decorated service member in United States history.
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Norton A. Schwartz
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Norton Allan Schwartz is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the 19th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 12 August 2008, until his retirement in 2012. He previously served as commander, United States Transportation Command from September 2005 to August 2008. He is currently the president and CEO of the Institute for Defense Analyses, serving since 2 January 2020.
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Karol J. Bobko
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military flight engineermilitary aviatortest pilotaircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Karol Joseph "Bo" Bobko was an American aerospace engineer, U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and a USAF and NASA astronaut. Bobko was the first graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy to travel in space and the first person to fly on three different space shuttles across three different missions: STS-6, STS-51-D, STS-51-J.
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Nichole Ayers
- Occupations
- astronautaircraft pilot
- Biography
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Nichole Rhea Ayers is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force and NASA astronaut. She is currently a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Marc H. Sasseville
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Marc Henry Sasseville Frontera is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the 12th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau. He previously served as the commander of the Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and concurrently as commander of the First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) from June 2019 to August 2020. Sasseville previously served as commander of the 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and was the first Hispanic American to hold the position.
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Mark C. Lee
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Mark Charles Lee USAF Colonel, is a former NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions. He retired from the Air Force and NASA on July 1, 2001.
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Donald G. Davis
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- In 1994 graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- university teachermilitary officerpolitician
- Biography
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Donald Gene Davis is an American politician and former Air Force officer serving as the United States representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the North Carolina Senate for a decade, representing the 5th district from 2013 to 2023, following an earlier term from 2009 to 2011.
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Jack D. Fischer
- Occupations
- military flight engineerastronautmilitary officeraircraft pilot
- Biography
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Jack David Fischer is an American engineer, test pilot and a former NASA astronaut. Fischer was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20 and qualified as an astronaut in 2011. He made his first spaceflight in April 2017, as a flight engineer for Expedition 51/52 on the International Space Station.
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William G. Gregory
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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William George Gregory is an Albanian American retired NASA astronaut and United States Air Force lieutenant colonel.
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Jacqueline Van Ovost
- Biography
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Jacqueline Desiree Van Ovost is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the 14th commander of United States Transportation Command from 2021 to 2024. She was nominated to that post by President Biden on March 5, 2021. Van Ovost had previously served as the commander of Air Mobility Command from 2020 to 2021. In early 2021, she was the only active-duty female four-star general officer in the United States.
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Scott A. Howell
- Years
- 1965-.. (age 61)
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in management
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Scott Alan Howell is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force, who most recently served as the 15th commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He previously served as the vice commander United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Washington, D.C., where he planned, coordinated, and executed USSOCOM initiatives with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, military services, and other government agencies.
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Jeffrey L. Harrigian
- Occupations
- military personnel
- Biography
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Jeffrey Lee Harrigian is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) general who last served as the commander of United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa from May 2020 to June 2022. He concurrently served as the commander of Allied Air Command and director of the Joint Air Power Competence Center. He previously served as deputy commander and as commander of United States Air Forces Central Command. Raised in Sparks, Nevada, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in International Affairs and was commissioned in 1985. He assumed his capstone assignment on May 1, 2019.
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Paul W. Tibbets IV
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in human factors engineering
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Paul Warfield Tibbets IV is a former United States Air Force brigadier general. He is the grandson of Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the aircraft that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. He was the Deputy Director for Nuclear Operations in the Global Operations Directorate of the United States Strategic Command, where he was responsible for the nuclear mission of the nation's ballistic missile submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and strategic bombers. During his career he participated in Operation Allied Force in the Balkans and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and was one of the few pilots qualified to fly all three of the USAF's strategic bombers: the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. In June 2015, he assumed command of the 509th Bomb Wing. In July 2017, he became Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
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James D. Halsell
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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James Donald Halsell Jr. is a retired United States Air Force officer, a former NASA astronaut. The veteran of five Space Shuttle missions pled guilty in 2021 to two counts of manslaughter and two counts of assault as a result of a motor vehicle accident in 2016. He is the second American astronaut to spend time in jail after Lisa Nowak.
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Stéphane Abrial
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Studied in 1974
- Occupations
- aircraft pilotmilitary personnel
- Biography
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Stéphane Abrial, is a French general who is the previous commander of Allied Command Transformation based in Norfolk, Virginia, one of the two NATO strategic commands. His previous posting was as the Chief of Staff of the French Air Force.
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Mike Mangold
- Occupations
- aircraft pilotmilitary officer
- Biography
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Michael Eugene Mangold was an American aviator whose career spanned the United States Air Force, commercial airlines, and aerobatics. Mangold competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Series from 2004 through 2009, where he repeatedly placed first and won the World Championship in the 2005 World Series, as well as the 2007 World Series. His nickname and call sign in the military was "Mongo".
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David P. Cooley
- Occupations
- aircraft pilotmilitary officer
- Biography
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David Paul Cooley was a Lockheed test pilot and retired United States Air Force (USAF) officer, responsible for developmental flight testing of the F-117 Nighthawk. He was killed while flying a test mission in an F-22 Raptor jet fighter over the high desert of Southern California.
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Sam Clovis
- Occupations
- radio personalitymilitary officerpolitician
- Biography
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Samuel Harvey Clovis Jr. is a former United States Air Force officer, talk radio host, and political figure. Clovis is currently retired in Iowa.
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Jared Dillinger
- Occupations
- basketball player
- Biography
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Jared Ryan B. Dillinger is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player. He played for three teams during his career in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Dillinger is the second pick overall in the 2008 draft class. He was a very versatile player that can play the 2, 3, and occasionally the 4 position. In his rookie year, he was included in the RP Training Pool under coach Yeng Guiao.
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Eric Boe
- Occupations
- military officerengineerastronaut
- Biography
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Eric Allen Boe is a retired United States Air Force fighter pilot, colonel, and test pilot, and an active NASA astronaut. He flew as the pilot of Space Shuttle missions STS-126 and STS-133.
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Ronald Fogleman
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Ronald Robert Fogleman is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the 15th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1994 to 1997 and as Commanding General of the United States Transportation Command from 1992 to 1994.
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Charles Edward Jones
- Occupations
- computer scientistmilitary flight engineerastronautair force officer
- Biography
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Charles Edward Jones was a United States Air Force officer, an aeronautical engineer, computer programmer, and an astronaut in the USAF Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program. He was killed during the September 11 attacks, aboard American Airlines Flight 11.
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Cormac J. Carney
- Occupations
- American football playerlawyerjudge
- Biography
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Cormac Joseph Carney is an inactive senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
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Janet C. Wolfenbarger
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Janet Carol Wolfenbarger is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as the eighth commander of Air Force Materiel Command from June 5, 2012, to June 8, 2015. She was the first woman to achieve the rank of four-star general in the Air Force. Wolfenbarger retired from the Air Force after over 35 years of service.
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Kevin P. Chilton
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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Kevin Patrick "Chilli" Chilton is an American mechanical engineer and retired United States Air Force four-star general, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. His last assignment was as commander of U.S. Strategic Command from October 3, 2007, to January 28, 2011. Prior to his appointment to general officer ranks, Chilton spent 11 years of his military career as a NASA astronaut. He retired from the Air Force on February 1, 2011, after having achieved the highest rank of any military astronaut. On January 30, 2012, General Chilton was named to the board of directors of Orbital Sciences Corporation.
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John E. Blaha
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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John Elmer Blaha is a retired United States Air Force colonel and a former NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of five space missions aboard the Space Shuttle and Mir.
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Stephen N. Whiting
- Years
- 1967-.. (age 59)
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Stephen Newman Whiting is a United States Space Force general who serves as the commander of the United States Space Command. He previously served as the first commander of Space Operations Command from 2020 to 2024.
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Steven Lindsey
- Occupations
- military officerengineerastronaut
- Biography
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Steven Wayne Lindsey is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and NASA astronaut. Lindsey served as Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office from September 2006 until October 2009.
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John A. Warden III
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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John Ashley Warden III is a retired colonel in the United States Air Force. Warden is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. His Air Force career spanned 30 years, from 1965 to 1995, and included tours in Vietnam, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Korea, as well as many assignments within the continental United States. Warden completed a number of assignments in the Pentagon, was a Special Assistant for Policy Studies and National Security Affairs to the Vice President of the United States, and was Commandant of the Air Command and Staff College.
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Curtis Brown
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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Curtis Lee Brown Jr. is a former NASA astronaut and retired United States Air Force colonel.
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Richard W. Scobee
- Years
- 1957-.. (age 69)
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Richard William Scobee is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. Scobee was commander of the Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base from 2018 to 2022. He is the son of Dick Scobee, an American test pilot and astronaut who perished in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
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Stephen Dickson
- Biography
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Stephen Marshall Dickson is an American former Air Force pilot and Delta Air Lines executive who served as the 18th Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from August 2019 to March 2022.
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Robert P. Kadlec
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- physician
- Biography
-
Robert Peter Kadlec is an American physician and career officer in the United States Air Force who served as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (Preparedness and Response) from August 2017 until January 2021. He is responsible for the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine development program Operation Warp Speed. He currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense Policy and Programs.
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Robin Rand
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Robin Rand is a retired United States Air Force general and former commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. He also concurrently served as the commander of Air Forces Strategic, United States Strategic Command, a command that provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of combatant commanders. Rand's post made him responsible for the United States' three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the two B-52 wings, and the only B-2 wing with two B-1 wings and a weapon's storage complex to be added in FY16, approximately one-third of the nation's nuclear deterrent.
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Thomas David Jones
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Thomas David Jones is a former United States astronaut. He was selected to the astronaut corps in 1990 and completed four Space Shuttle flights before retiring in 2001. He flew on STS-59 and STS-68 in 1994, STS-80 in 1996, and STS-98 in 2001. His total mission time was 53 days 48 minutes. He works as a planetary scientist, space operations consultant, astronaut speaker, and author.
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Gregory H. Johnson
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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Gregory Harold "Box" Johnson is a former NASA astronaut and a retired colonel in the United States Air Force. Johnson is a veteran of two space flights, STS-123 and STS-134. He served as pilot on his first mission, which delivered the Kibo logistics module and the Dextre robot arm to the International Space Station. Johnson was also assigned as the pilot to the STS-134 mission, which launched on May 16, 2011, and landed on June 1, 2011. Greg Johnson has also served in numerous roles for NASA including as a Capcom for several missions. Gregory H. Johnson (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) was the President and executive director for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) until March 10, 2018. He is now working with Lockheed Martin.
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Dondi E. Costin
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Dondi Enos Costin is an American Baptist minister and former major general in the United States Air Force. He has been serving as the 6th president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, since July 2023.
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Steven L. Kwast
- Born in
- United States
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
-
Steven Lloyd Kwast is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general. He last served as commander of Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. In that role, he was responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force personnel. The command includes Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. The command operates more than 1,400 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft, 23 wings, 10 bases and five geographically separated groups. It trains more than 293,000 students per year with approximately 60,000 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian and contractor personnel.
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Frank Gorenc
- Occupations
- engineer
- Biography
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Frank Gorenc is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as the Commander, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Air Command. He previously served as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, Headquarters, United States Air Force at the Pentagon. Gorenc is a command pilot with more than 4,100 flight hours in the T-38A, F-15C, MQ-1B, UH-1N and C-21A. He assumed his final assignment on 2 August 2013.
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Michelle D. Johnson
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Michelle D. Johnson is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force and former senior vice president and head of referee operations for the National Basketball Association.
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Brian Duffy
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Brian Duffy is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and a former NASA astronaut. He flew aboard four Space Shuttle missions.
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Matt Fong
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Matthew Kipling Fong was an American Republican politician who served as the 30th California State Treasurer. He was a government appointee, finance industry director, and consultant after retiring from the Air Force Reserve. As of 2026, Fong is the last Republican to have served as California State Treasurer.
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Terry W. Virts
- Occupations
- military officerTrekkieastronaut
- Biography
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Terry Wayne Virts Jr. is a retired NASA astronaut, International Space Station commander, and colonel in the United States Air Force. Virts is a member of the Democratic Party. He was a candidate to represent Texas in the United States Senate in the 2026 election, but withdrew and is now running for Texas's 9th congressional district.
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Loren Shriver
- Occupations
- engineerastronautmilitary officeraircraft pilot
- Biography
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Loren James Shriver is a former NASA astronaut, aviator, and a retired US Air Force Colonel.
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James M. Kelly
- Occupations
- air force officertest pilotastronaut
- Biography
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James McNeal "Vegas" Kelly is a NASA astronaut and a retired Colonel of the United States Air Force. He twice served as pilot on Space Shuttle missions. James Kelly is not related to Scott Kelly or Mark Kelly.
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Alvin Drew
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
-
Benjamin Alvin Drew Jr. is a United States Air Force officer, the director of space sustainability and acting director of Cross-Directorate Technical Integration for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, and a former NASA astronaut. He has been on two spaceflights; the first was the Space Shuttle mission STS-118 to the International Space Station, in August 2007. Drew's second spaceflight took place in March 2011 on STS-133, another mission to the International Space Station. STS-133 was Space Shuttle Discovery's final mission. Drew took part in two spacewalks while docked to the station. Drew was the final African-American to fly on board a Space Shuttle, as the final two Space Shuttle missions, STS-134 and STS-135, had no African-American crew members.
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Sidney M. Gutierrez
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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Sidney McNeill Gutierrez, is an American pilot and former NASA astronaut. Since retiring from NASA, Gutierrez has worked in several leadership positions at Sandia National Laboratories and Rocket Crafters Inc.
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Timothy Ray
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
-
Timothy Michael Ray is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command from August 21, 2018, to August 27, 2021. He concurrently served as the commander of Air Forces Strategic – Air, United States Strategic Command. His two previous assignments were as the Deputy Commander, United States European Command, and as the Commander, Third Air Force. He previously served as the director of global power programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters United States Air Force, Washington, D.C.
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Steven Nordhaus
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in engineering
- Occupations
- military leadermilitary officer
- Biography
-
Steven Scott Nordhaus is a United States Air Force general who has served as the 30th chief of the National Guard Bureau since 2 October 2024. He previously served as the commander of First Air Force from 2023 to 2024. He served as the Director of Operations of the National Guard Bureau from 2019 to 2022. From 2017 to 2019, he was the Commander of the Air National Guard Readiness Center.
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Karl W. Richter
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
-
Karl Wendell Richter was an officer in the United States Air Force and an accomplished fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. At the age of 23 he was the youngest pilot in that conflict to shoot down a MiG in air-to-air combat.
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James Dutton
- Occupations
- astronautmilitary officer
- Biography
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James Patrick Dutton Jr. is an engineer, former NASA astronaut pilot of the Class of 2004 (NASA Group 19), and a former test pilot in the US Air Force with the rank of colonel.
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Guy Gardner
- Occupations
- military officeraircraft pilotastronaut
- Biography
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Guy Spence Gardner is a United States Air Force officer and a former astronaut. He holds the rank of colonel. He flew as pilot on two Space Shuttle missions, STS-27 and STS-35. Gardner was also the 12th president of the Williamson College of the Trades.
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Stephen Joseph Rossetti
- Occupations
- Catholic priestpriestmilitary officerpsychologist
- Biography
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Stephen Joseph Rossetti is an American Catholic priest, author, educator, licensed psychologist and expert on psychological and spiritual wellness issues for Catholic priests. He has appeared on such television shows as Meet the Press and Larry King Live. He served as president and CEO of Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland from 1996 to 2009 and as president from 2013 to 2014. In October, 2009 Rossetti stepped down from this position and in January 2010, joined the faculty of The Catholic University of America to teach in the School of Theology and Religious Studies. Since 2009, he has also served as the chaplain of the Washington Nationals.
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Alonzo Babers
- Occupations
- sprinterathletics competitormilitary officeraircraft pilot
- Biography
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Alonzo C. Babers is an American former athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics, in the 400 m and the 4 × 400 m relay.
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Tony D. Bauernfeind
- Years
- 1969-.. (age 57)
- Enrolled in United States Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
- Graduated with Bachelor of Science in chemistry
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
-
Tony D. Bauernfeind is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who has served as the 22nd superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy since 2 August 2024. He most recently served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2022 to 2024. He served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2020 to 2022; as vice commander, Bauernfeind was responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing actions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the services and other government agencies in the national capital region on behalf of the commander of United States Special Operations Command. He previously served as Special Operations Command's chief of staff and as commander of Special Operations Command Korea.
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Herbert J. Carlisle
- Years
- 1957-.. (age 69)
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
-
Herbert Jay Carlisle is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the commander of Air Combat Command, at Langley Field, Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. He also previously served as the commander of Pacific Air Forces while concurrently serving as air component commander for United States Pacific Command and executive director of Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. He officially retired from the Air Force on May 1, 2017, with 39 years of service.
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Chuck Reed
- Occupations
- military officerlawyerpolitician
- Biography
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Charles Rufus Reed is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 64th mayor of San Jose, California from 2007 to 2015.
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Kevin Schneider
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Kevin Bruce Schneider is a United States Air Force general who has served as the commander of the Pacific Air Forces since 2024. He previously served as director of staff of the United States Air Force from 2021 to 2024. He also served as the commander of the United States Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force.
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John L. Borling
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
-
John Lorin Borling is a retired major general of the United States Air Force whose military career spanned 33 years. He has piloted many aircraft including the F-15, F16, F-4, the SR-71 Blackbird, the U-2, and B-52 and B-1 bombers. During the Vietnam War, his aircraft was shot down and he spent 6½ years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.
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Gordon Klingenschmitt
- Born in
- United States
- Occupations
- military chaplainpolitician
- Biography
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Gordon James Klingenschmitt is an American religious figure, former chaplain in the US Navy, and former politician.
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Ralph Eberhart
- Occupations
- military officer
- Biography
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Ralph Edward "Ed" Eberhart is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He served as the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He was in charge of NORAD during the September 11 attacks in 2001.
