ONEOFMANYFEATHERS'
Short Biographies
Major General Wilbert D. Pearson, Jr.
Maj. Gen. Wilbert D. "Doug" Pearson Jr. is commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He directs the development, test and evaluation of manned and unmanned aircraft systems; the testing of experimental and research aerospace vehicles and parachute systems, and aerodynamic deceleration devices; the operation of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School; and the development, control and operation of the Edwards Flight Test Range.
The general entered the Air Force in 1970 as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the F-4, F-15, F-20, T-38 and 39 other aircraft. His flying includes 364 combat hours during the Vietnam conflict. He commanded the F-15 anti-satellite Combined Test Force during the time of peak flight activity and, while flying an F-15, launched the first anti-satellite missile which successfully intercepted and destroyed a satellite in earth orbit. Prior to assuming his current position, the general served as director of operations for Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Education
1969 Bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering, Texas A&M University
1974 Distinguished graduate, Squadron Officer School
1975 Postgraduate work, Ball State University
1976 Fighter Weapons Instructor School
1980 Air Command and Staff College
1981 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk Naval Air Station, Va.
1991 Program Managers Course, Defense Systems Management College
1992 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
Assignments
1. October 1970 - October 1971, student, undergraduate pilot training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. November 1971 - July 1972, student, F-4 Replacement Training Unit, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
3. August 1972 - August 1973, F-4 combat pilot, 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand
4. August 1973 - October 1976, F-4 instructor pilot, standardization and evaluation pilot and wing weapons officer, 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bitburg Air Base, West Germany
5. November 1976 - August 1978, F-15 instructor pilot and wing weapons and tactics officer, 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bitburg Air Base, West Germany
6. August 1978 - June 1981, F-15 operational test pilot, 422nd Fighter Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
7. July 1981 - November 1981, student, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk Naval Air Station, Va.
8. December 1981 - December 1982, student, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
9. January 1983 - March 1984, F-4 and F-5 test pilot, 6512th Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
10. April 1984 - April 1985, F-20 test pilot, 6512th Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
11. May 1985 - March 1987, director, F-15 anti-satellite Combined Test Force, 6512th Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
12. April 1987 - February 1989, commander, 6512th Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
13. March 1989 - July 1991, director of operations management, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
14. August 1991 - June 1992, student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
15. July 1992 - March 1996, deputy for aeronautical systems, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, Washington, D.C.
16. April 1996 - April 1997, vice commander, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
17. April 1997 - June 2001, director of operations, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
18. June 2001 - present, commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Badges
Space Badge
Flight Information
Rating:
Command pilotFlight hours:
More than 4,000, including 364 combat hoursAircraft flown: F-4, F-15, F-16, F-20, T-38, KC-135, UH-1, A-7, A-37 and C-130, plus 33 other aircraft
Major Awards and Decorations
Defense Superior Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Other Achievements
1970 Distinguished graduate and Officer Training Award, Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 72-03
1972 Top Aircraft Commander Award, F-4 Replacement Training Unit
1973 Junior Officer of the Year, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing
1985 Ira Eaker Fellowship, Air Force Association
1985 Primus Award, Air Force Systems Command
Effective Dates of Promotion
Second Lieutenant Sep 10, 1970
First Lieutenant Mar 10, 1972
Captain Jun 10, 1974
Major Nov 1, 1981
Lieutenant Colonel Feb 1, 1986
Colonel Nov 1, 1991
Brigadier General Apr 1, 1997
Major General Jul 1, 2001
