Maj Gen James Whitehead Jr. USAF

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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Charles Hicks Jr. Esq.

Gen. Whitehead has had a long and successful military and aviation career.
His military career began as a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard in May of 1952. He graduated from the University of Illinois in June of 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He was immediately commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force that same month. After his commissioning, Lieutenant Whitehead as assigned to Vance Air Force Base where he attended Air Force Pilot Training. At the completion of Pilot Training, he was assigned to Barksdale AFB in December of 1958, where he transitioned in KC-135 aircraft. He was made Aircraft Commander in 1962. In 1965, then Capt. Whitehead transitioned into U-2s where he was mission qualified and flew reconnaissance missions that were critical to the defense of the United States.
In 1967 Capt. Whitehead once again made a major transition in his career, he was discharged from active duty and joined Trans World Airlines (TWA) as a pilot, where over the course of a 20-year career he became part of TWA’s management team and instructor in their flight training program.
While Capt. Whitehead may have ended his active duty career with the United States Air Force, his dedication to the defense of the nation continued. On discharge from the Air Force, Capt. Whitehead joined the Air National Guard. As member of the National Guard MGEN, Whitehead flew C-121s, KC-135s, RF-84s, O-2s and A-37Bs. During his Guard career he rose to the Rank of Major General. He ended his guard career in 1993, with his final assignment being on the staff of the National Guard Bureau.
As if two careers were not enough, GENM Whitehead joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1988. He has served as an Aviation Safety Inspector, and Manager of the Western-Pacific Region’s Operation Center. Gen. Whitehead retired from the FAA on June 30, 2005.