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Kevin Patrick Chilton 'Chilli' |
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Graduate, U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1976 |
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Biography: | ||||
Kevin Patrick "Chilli" Chilton General, U.S. Air Force Kevin Patrick "Chilli" Chilton was born on 3 November 1954 in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from St. Bernard High School, Playa del Rey, CA, in 1972. Early Air Force Career Chilton received his commission from the USAF Academy in 1976. After receiving his wings at Williams AFB, AZ, in 1978, he qualified in the RF-4C Phantom II and was assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan. From 1978-80, he served as a combat-ready pilot and Instructor pilot in the RF-4C in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. In 1981, he converted to the F-15 Eagle and was assigned to the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena AB as a squadron pilot. In 1982, Chilton attended the USAF Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, AL, and finished as the number one graduate for the year, receiving the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award. Subsequently assigned to the 9th and 7th Tactical Fighter Squadrons at Holloman AFB, NM, Chilton served as an F-15 Squadron Weapons Officer, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Commander until 1984 when selected for the USAF Test Pilot School. He graduated number one in his class to win the Liethen-Tittle Award as the Outstanding Test Pilot at the school. Chilton was assigned to Eglin AFB, FL, where he conducted weapons and systems tests in all models of the F-15 and F-4. While a member of the 3247th Test Squadron, Chilton served as Squadron Safety Officer, as Chief of Test and Evaluation, and as Squadron Operations Officer. NASA Career In August 1987, Chilton was assigned to NASA and became an Astronaut in August 1988, qualifying for assignment as a pilot on Space Shuttle flight crews. Chilton held a variety of technical assignments. He served in the Mission Development Branch of the Astronaut Office in support of the Infrared Background Signature Survey (IBSS) satellite, and the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) programs. He was the Astronaut Office T-38 Safety Officer, Leader of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center and was Lead Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) for numerous shuttle flights. Chilton also served as Deputy Program Manager for the early International Space Station program. A veteran of three space flights, Chilton logged more than 704 hours in space. He was the Pilot on STS-49 for the maiden voyage of Space Shuttle Endeavour (7-16 May 1992), and STS-59 on the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) mission (9-20 April 1994). He commanded STS-76 on the third docking mission to the Russian space station Mir in 1996. Resumption of Air Force Career Chilton left NASA in 1998 to become Deputy Director, Political Military Affairs for Asia, Pacific, and Middle East. His first military command was the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, CA, from May 1999 to September 2000. In August 2005, Chilton assumed the dual duties of Commander, Eighth Air Force and Commander, Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, NE. On 26 June 2006, Chilton was promoted to the rank of four-star General and was named Commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, CO. Chilton took Command of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, NE, in October 2007. General Chilton retired from the Air Force on 1 February 2011. Chilton is the only former astronaut to achieve four-star rank. Lt Gen Tom Stafford, VADM Dick Truly and Lt Gen Susan Helms attained three-star rank. Education 1976 Distinguished graduate, Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. Assignments 1. May 1977 - May 1978, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, AZ. Summary of Joint Assignments 1. October 2000 - April 2002, Director of Politico-Military Affairs, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a Brigadier and Major general Flight Information Rating: Command Astronaut Pilot Promotion Dates Second Lieutenant June 2, 1976 Medals and Awards Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards) Defense Superior Service Medal (3 Awards) Legion of Merit (2 Awards) Distinguished Flying Cross Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards) Air Force Commendation Medal Outstanding Unit Award (2 Awards) Organizational Excellence Award (2 Awards) Combat Readiness Medal Air Force Recognition Ribbon NASA Space Flight Medal (3 Awards) NASA Exceptional Service Medal NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon Air Force Longevity Service Award (8 Awards) Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon Badges Master Astronaut Badge Master Space and Missile Operations Badge Master Missile Operations Badge Honors Guggenheim Fellow NASA "Top Fox" Flight Safety Award In Retirement On 30 January 2012 General Chilton was named to the board of directors of Orbital Sciences Corporation. Personal An accomplished guitarist, Chilton spent a portion of his spare time hammering out riffs on a Fender Stratocaster while jamming with the all-astronaut band, "Max Q." |
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Origin of Nickname/Handle: | ||||
Flight handle based on a variance of his last name. |
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Honoree ID: 694 | Created by: MHOH |