Roy D. Bridges Jr.
Roy Bridges | |
---|---|
Director of the Langley Research Center | |
In office June 13, 2003 – October 3, 2005 | |
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Delma Freeman (Acting) |
Succeeded by | Lesa Roe |
Personal details | |
Born | Roy Dubard Bridges Jr. July 19, 1943 NASA astronaut |
Rank | Major General, USAF |
Time in space | 7d 22h 45m |
Selection | NASA Group 9 (1980) |
Missions | STS-51-F STS-61-F (never flew) |
Mission insignia | |
Roy Dubard Bridges Jr. (born July 19, 1943) is an American
Early life and education
Born July 19, 1943, in
NASA career
Bridges served as a NASA astronaut, piloting the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-F (July 29 to August 6, 1985).
Bridges became the Director of NASA's Langley Research Center in 2003, after serving as Director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). He retired from Langley and from NASA at the end of 2005. As the senior management official of the laboratory employing approximately 2,100 NASA civil service and 1,800 contractor personnel, Bridges was responsible for the center's aeronautical and space research programs, as well as facilities, personnel, and administration. In that capacity, he was responsible for managing facilities and activities related to the processing and launch of the Space Shuttle, processing and integration of Shuttle payloads and those aboard Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs), as well as final tests and preparation of elements delivered to the International Space Station via Shuttle. He was also responsible for managing the acquisition and launch of all NASA ELV missions.
As Director of the
Military career
Bridges, a decorated veteran of 262
Prior to his assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Bridges was the commander,
In the course of his career he has completed the following assignments:[1]
Assignments
- June 1965 to January 1966, student, Purdue University, Indiana
- March 1966, student, pilot training, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
- March 1967, 524th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
- December 1968, F-100 pilot, Republic of Vietnam
- January 1970, T-37 instructor pilot, 3575th Pilot Training Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
- July 1970, student, United States Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California
- July 1971, test pilot, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB
- August 1975, distinguished graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- June 1976, A-10 program element monitor, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 1979, Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development, and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- November 1979, assistant director of Plans, Detachment 3, Air Force Flight Test Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- July 1980, Astronaut, Houston, Texas
- May 1986, commander of 6510th Test Wing, Edwards AFB
- March 1989, commander of Patrick Air Force Base, Florida
- January 1990, deputy chief of staff, test and resources, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
- August 1991, commander of Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB
- June 1993, director of requirements, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- July 1, 1996, retired.
Effective dates of promotion
Insignia | Rank | Date |
---|---|---|
Major general | January 1, 1993 | |
Brigadier general | July 1, 1990 | |
Colonel | December 1, 1983 | |
Lieutenant colonel | August 10, 1979 | |
Major | November 19, 1973 | |
Captain | June 13, 1968 | |
First lieutenant |
December 9, 1966 | |
Second lieutenant | June 9, 1965 |
Awards and decorations
USAF Master Astronaut badge | |
United States Air Force Parachutist badge |
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon | |
US Defense Superior Service Medal with 1 OLC | |
Legion of Merit ribbon with 1 OLC | |
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon with 2 OLC | |
Meritorious Service ribbon | |
Air Medal with 14 OLC | |
Air Force Commendation ribbon | |
NASA Outstanding Leadership ribbon | |
Space Flight ribbon | |
AF Presidential Unit Citation ribbon | |
Outstanding Unit ribbon with 2 OLC | |
Organizational Excellence ribbon with 1 OLC | |
National Defense Service Medal with 1 OLC | |
Vietnam Service ribbon with 3 Service Stars | |
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service ribbon | |
Air Force Longevity Service ribbon with 6 OLC | |
USAF Marksmanship ribbon | |
Air Force Training ribbon | |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award | |
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon |
He is the recipient of several awards and honors including recognition as a distinguished graduate of Air Force Pilot Training and a top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award, and a NASA Certificate of Commendation. He is a member of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.[2]
Personal life
Bridges is married to the former Benita Louise Allbaugh of Tucson, Arizona. They have two adult children.
Bridges is an executive with Northrop Grumman Technical Services.
References
- ^ a b c "Major General Roy D. Bridges, Jr". AF.mil. US Air Force. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ "Major General Roy D. Bridges Jr". Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
External links
- "Biographical Data: ROY D. BRIDGES, JR. NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER)" (PDF). NASA. October 2005. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- Spacefacts biography of Roy D. Bridges Jr.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the