Wilbert Pearson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wilbert D. Pearson Jr.
Wilbert D. Pearson Jr. 040913-F-JZ508-949.jpg
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1970 - 2005
RankUS-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Commands held
  • Air Force Flight Test Center
  • 6512th Test Squadron

Wilbert "Doug" Pearson Jr. is a retired major general and test pilot in the United States Air Force.[1] On September 13, 1985, he conducted the test launch of an ASM-135 ASAT missile that destroyed the Solwind satellite.[2] He later served as the director of operations for Air Force Materiel Command and as the commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center. Pearson retired from active duty on January 1, 2005.[1]

Personal life[]

Doug and Todd Pearson in front of the F-15 for a commemorative flight

Pearson's son, Todd, is the commander of the 493rd Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath.[3] In 2007, Todd flew the F-15 Eagle that was used for the ASM-135 test launch in a commemorative flight.[2]

Dates of promotion[]

Insignia Rank Date
US-O8 insignia.svg Major general July 1, 2001
US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier general April 1, 1997
US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel Nov. 1, 1991
US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant colonel Feb. 1, 1986
US-O4 insignia.svg Major Nov. 1, 1981
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain June 10, 1974
US-OF1A.svg First lieutenant March 10, 1972
US-OF1B.svg Second lieutenant Sept. 10, 1970

[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Major General Wilbert D. 'Doug' Pearson Jr". Biographies. US Air Force. January 2005. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Glenshaw, Paul (April 2018). "The First Space Ace". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Alvarez, Kyle (June 15, 2021). "Missing man formation over RAF Lakenheath remembers pilot who died in F-15 crash". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
Retrieved from ""