- Edward C. Aldridge Jr.
Edward C. Aldridge Jr. (born 1938) has served in many top U.S. Defense Department and
defense industry jobs, including as the 16th Air Force secretary from June 1986 until 1988.From 1988 to 1992, he was president of the Electronic Systems Company division of
McDonnell Douglas , and later becameCEO ofThe Aerospace Corporation .Aldridge was confirmed as the Pentagon's top weapons buyer on May 8, 2001. As the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, he had responsibility for acquisition, research and development,
logistics , advanced technology, international programs, environmental security, nuclear, chemical, and biological programs, and the industrial base.Aldridge received a B.S. in
aeronautical engineering fromTexas A&M University in 1960 and anM.S. in the same subject from theGeorgia Institute of Technology .He served in a variety of jobs, including:
* adviser to theStrategic Arms Limitation Talks in Helsinki and Vienna
* senior manager with theLTV Aerospace Corp.,
* senior management associate in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
* deputy assistant defense secretary for strategic programs
* vice president of national policy and strategic systems group for theSystem Planning Corporation
* Air Force undersecretary for guiding and supervising theNational Reconnaissance Office and the Air Force space programAldridge was also selected as a
payload specialist for the scheduled firstSpace Shuttle mission fromVandenberg Air Force Base . The mission was cancelled after of theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster .Other affiliations have included:
* president and fellow of theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
* member,Defense Science Board
* national director,Air Force Association
* member of the board of directors of theUnited States Air Force Academy FoundationHis awards include the Department of Defense
Distinguished Civilian Service Award , Secretary of DefenseMeritorious Civilian Service Award , and the Department of DefenseDistinguished Public Service Award .References
External links
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/aldridge_edward.htm Spacefacts biography of Edward C. Aldridge Jr.]
* [http://www.dau.mil/pubs/pm/pmpdf03/may/ald-m-j03.pdf]
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