Retired COL James C. Adamson's career spans nearly four decades of aviation and space related service from Army officer to astronaut, to chief executive officer, but first and foremost as an Army aviator.

            A 1969 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, he also completed pilot and paratrooper training, the Command and General Staff College.

            During Vietnam, he flew as a scout pilot, team leader and an air mission commander with Troop C, 16th Air Cavalry.

            After Vietnam, Adamson returned to Fort Bliss, Texas to command a Hawk Battery while still maintaining his flight proficiency.

            He then joined the faculty at USMA, earned his Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Princeton, and returned to Military Academy to develop and teach their new Aerodynamics concentration, including courses in fluid mechanics, aircraft performance, and stability and control; and completed his certification as a licensed professional engineer.

            Following West Point, Adamson attended the Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River.

            Later he was recruited by NASA's Johnson Space Flight Center as a research test pilot and aerodynamics officer.

            In 1984, Adamson was selected for the astronaut program and became qualified for mission assignments on Space Shuttle flights.

            He was one of eleven astronauts selected to hold management positions within NASA including assistant manager for Engineering Integration.

            Adamson flew on two highly successful shuttle missions, one with Columbia (Space Transportation System-28) in August 1989, and on Atlantis (STS-43) in August 1991.

            During his 23-year Army career, he commanded tactical units in Europe, Vietnam and the United States, as well as the Army's Space Flight Detachment at JSFC.

            He has logged over 3,000 hours of flight time in over 30 types of aircraft, as well as the Space Shuttle.

            After retirement, Adamson continued excelling in the Aerospace field serving as president of Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc.; the chief operating officer of United Space Alliance; president & chief executive officer of Lockheed Engineering & Sciences Co.; and as an active board member and consultant to the NASA Administrator.

            Adamson's awards include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 18 Air Medals, and three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry for valor.

Edited by Bullinger, JUL 07
 

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