James Alan Abrahamson
Encyclopedia
James Alan Abrahamson is a retired general, a designated astronaut
, director of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, and successful businessman who was chairman of Oracle and as chairman of GeoEye
transformed that company into the world's largest space imaging corporation.
, in 1933. He earned a Bachelor of Science
in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in 1955 and a Master of Science
in the same field from the University of Oklahoma
in 1961. He completed Squadron Officer School
in 1958, Air Command and Staff College
in 1966, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
in 1973.
, Texas, in May 1957. His initial operational assignments included flight instruction, flight test and aircraft maintenance positions with Air Training Command
.
In August 1961, Abrahamson was assigned as spacecraft project officer on the VELA Nuclear Detection Satellite Program
at Los Angeles Air Force Station, California. From October 1964 to August 1965, while assigned to the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base
, New Mexico, he served two temporary tours of duty in Southeast Asia, where he flew 49 combat missions.
, California, and, upon graduation, served as an astronaut with the Air Force's Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program
from August 1967 until the program was canceled in June 1969.
Abrahamson then served on the staff of the National Aeronautics and Space Council in the Executive Office of the President of the United States. In March 1971 he became manager of the TV-guided, air-to-ground Maverick missile
program at Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
, Ohio. In June 1973 he assumed command of the 4950th Test Wing
there.
In March 1974 Abrahamson was assigned as inspector general, Air Force Systems Command
, Andrews Air Force Base
, Maryland. From May 1976 to July 1980 he served as director for the F-16 Multinational Air Combat Fighter Program, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He then became deputy chief of staff for systems at Air Force Systems Command headquarters.
In November 1981 he was assigned as associate administrator for the Space Shuttle Program
, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters, Washington, D.C. During his tenure, the Shuttle achieved 10 developmental and early operational launches, and demonstrated its operational capabilities by achieving the first satellite retrieval and repair mission.
July 21, 1982, with same date of rank.
Abrahamson was the first director Strategic Defense Initiative Organization starting April 1984. He retired from the Air Force on March 1, 1989.
, Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal
with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal
, Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, Order of the Orange from the Netherlands and the Order of Léopold of Belgium. He also wears the Space Badge and Command Missile Badge. Abrahamson has received honorary doctorate degrees in engineering from New York University
, Utah State University
and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
. In 1984 he received the General Bernard A. Schriever Award for outstanding achievement in support of Air Force missile and space programs. In 1986 he received the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Trophy for leadership and excellence in advancing space flight programs contributing to United States leadership in astronautics. In 1987 he was honored as Man of the Year in Science and Technology from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Metropolitan Chapter, Washington, D.C.
.
In 1998 he became a director of ORBIMAGE and would become its chairman and it would oversee its growth into the company of GeoEye
, the world's largest space imaging company.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSGI Security Solutions Inc, (OTCBB: MSGI - News) today announced the appointment of Lieutenant General James A. Abrahamson, (retired USAF) as Vice-Chairman of the MSGI Board of Directors.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lieutenant-General-James-A-bw-2120693784.html?x=0&.v=1
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
, director of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, and successful businessman who was chairman of Oracle and as chairman of GeoEye
GeoEye
GeoEye Inc. is a commercial satellite imagery company based in Herndon, Virginia that is the world's largest space imaging corporation....
transformed that company into the world's largest space imaging corporation.
Early life
Abrahamson was born in Williston, North DakotaWilliston, North Dakota
-Demographics:Preliminary data from a 2010 housing study indicates that population has grown by nearly 22 percent over the past decade; the actual increase might be much higher. Williston is in western North Dakota's booming oil patch, and adequate, affordable housing has become a concern. The...
, in 1933. He earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in 1955 and a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in the same field from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1961. He completed Squadron Officer School
Squadron Officer School
Squadron Officer School , is a five-week long Professional Military Education course for U.S. Air Force Captains. It fulfills the U.S. Air Force's requirement for primary developmental education . SOS is based at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and the in-residence version of the course is taught there...
in 1958, Air Command and Staff College
Air Command and Staff College
The Air Command and Staff College is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and is the United States Air Force's intermediate professional military education school. It prepares field grade and equivalent officers of all U.S...
in 1966, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
in 1973.
Air Force Pilot in Southeast Asia
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in November 1955 and completed pilot training at Laughlin Air Force BaseLaughlin Air Force Base
Laughlin Air Force Base is a facility of the United States Air Force located five miles east of the central business district of Del Rio, Texas.-Overview:...
, Texas, in May 1957. His initial operational assignments included flight instruction, flight test and aircraft maintenance positions with Air Training Command
Air Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
.
In August 1961, Abrahamson was assigned as spacecraft project officer on the VELA Nuclear Detection Satellite Program
Vela (satellite)
Vela was the name of a group of satellites developed as the Vela Hotel element of Project Vela by the United States to monitor compliance with the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty by the Soviet Union, and other nuclear-capable states. It means vigil or "watch" in Spanish.Vela started out as a small...
at Los Angeles Air Force Station, California. From October 1964 to August 1965, while assigned to the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately southwest of Clovis, New Mexico. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Force Special Operations Command ....
, New Mexico, he served two temporary tours of duty in Southeast Asia, where he flew 49 combat missions.
Astronaut
He graduated from Air Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate in July 1966. He then attended the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force BaseEdwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
, California, and, upon graduation, served as an astronaut with the Air Force's Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program
Manned Orbiting Laboratory
The Manned Orbiting Laboratory , originally referred to as the Manned Orbital Laboratory, was part of the United States Air Force's manned spaceflight program, a successor to the cancelled Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar military reconnaissance space plane project...
from August 1967 until the program was canceled in June 1969.
Abrahamson then served on the staff of the National Aeronautics and Space Council in the Executive Office of the President of the United States. In March 1971 he became manager of the TV-guided, air-to-ground Maverick missile
AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close-air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities....
program at Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, Ohio. In June 1973 he assumed command of the 4950th Test Wing
4950th Test Wing
The 4950th Test Wing, a wing of the United States Air Force, was established in March 1971.It was created as the flying unit of the Wright Air Development Center, which was created in June 1951. Wright ADC changed to Division status in December 1959 until it was replaced by the Aeronautical Systems...
there.
In March 1974 Abrahamson was assigned as inspector general, Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
, Andrews Air Force Base
Andrews Air Force Base
Joint Base Andrews is a United States military facility located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 11th Wing, Air Force District of Washington ....
, Maryland. From May 1976 to July 1980 he served as director for the F-16 Multinational Air Combat Fighter Program, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He then became deputy chief of staff for systems at Air Force Systems Command headquarters.
In November 1981 he was assigned as associate administrator for the Space Shuttle Program
Space Shuttle program
NASA's Space Shuttle program, officially called Space Transportation System , was the United States government's manned launch vehicle program from 1981 to 2011...
, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters, Washington, D.C. During his tenure, the Shuttle achieved 10 developmental and early operational launches, and demonstrated its operational capabilities by achieving the first satellite retrieval and repair mission.
Strategic Defense Initiative
He was promoted to lieutenant generalLieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
July 21, 1982, with same date of rank.
Abrahamson was the first director Strategic Defense Initiative Organization starting April 1984. He retired from the Air Force on March 1, 1989.
Awards
He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which may be bestowed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States...
, Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, Order of the Orange from the Netherlands and the Order of Léopold of Belgium. He also wears the Space Badge and Command Missile Badge. Abrahamson has received honorary doctorate degrees in engineering from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
. In 1984 he received the General Bernard A. Schriever Award for outstanding achievement in support of Air Force missile and space programs. In 1986 he received the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Trophy for leadership and excellence in advancing space flight programs contributing to United States leadership in astronautics. In 1987 he was honored as Man of the Year in Science and Technology from the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Metropolitan Chapter, Washington, D.C.
- Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
Oracle and GeoEye Chairman & Vice-Chairman of the MSGI
He was Executive Vice President for Corporate Development for Hughes Aircraft Company from October 1989 to April 1992 and as President of the Transportation Sector for Hughes Aircraft Company from April 1992 to September 1992. From 1992 to 1995, he served as Chairman of Oracle CorporationOracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
.
In 1998 he became a director of ORBIMAGE and would become its chairman and it would oversee its growth into the company of GeoEye
GeoEye
GeoEye Inc. is a commercial satellite imagery company based in Herndon, Virginia that is the world's largest space imaging corporation....
, the world's largest space imaging company.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSGI Security Solutions Inc, (OTCBB: MSGI - News) today announced the appointment of Lieutenant General James A. Abrahamson, (retired USAF) as Vice-Chairman of the MSGI Board of Directors.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lieutenant-General-James-A-bw-2120693784.html?x=0&.v=1