Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory
Brigadier General David A.Brubaker retired from the Air Force in Feb 2005 after 34 years of military service in the Air National Guard (ANG). His last assignment was the Deputy Director of the Air National Guard, Pentagon. General Brubaker was appointed to this position shortly after September 11, 2001 and soon thereafter became the acting Director of the Air National Guard during its largest mobilization since WWII. He was responsible for the Air Guard’s 110,000 member’s monumental response to the Global War on Terrorism while simultaneously conducting the challenging day-to-day business of the ANG. He served as the acting Director until June 2002. As the Deputy Director, he assisted the Director with the support of current wartime operations and the transformation of the ANG.
Prior to promotion to Flag Officer, Gen Brubaker was the Commander of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) in Tucson, Arizona. He led this elite organization with a focus on the warfighter’s needs and significantly improved the readiness and relevancy of all units. Gen Brubaker also served as the Director for Acquisitions for the ANG and Advisor to Air Combat Command for requirements. Under his leadership, the ANG began a period of extensive modernization of its equipment and aircraft, including night vision systems, targeting pods, improved self-defense systems, avionics, and data links. His vision and innovative approach to requirements and acquisitions vastly reduced bureaucracy and enabled the fielding of combat-ready capabilities in record time.
General Brubaker is currently President of Brubakers and Associates, a Washington DC-based consulting company specializing in DoD and National Guard issues. He works with clients like Northrop Grumman Corporation, Georgia Tech Research Institute, General Electric Aviation, and Cubic Defense Applications.
He is a member of the Air Force Association, Military Officers Association, National Guard Association of the US, ANG Former Air Commanders, and serves on advisory boards and “greybeard” panels in a diverse range of topics for the current and past three Directors of the ANG and select Adjutant Generals.
(source: http://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/NGB-GOMO/bio-show/1289/)
