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
Doug Weidman was born on July 13, 1942, in Saint Louis, MO. He was commissioned as a 2Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, on December 18, 1965, and went on active duty beginning March 17, 1966.
Lt Weidman next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Laredo AFB, Texas, in March 1967, followed by F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training from April to December 1967.
His first assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam, from December 1967 to December 1968, during which time he flew as a Misty Fast FAC from August to December 1968. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot with the 3516th Pilot Training Squadron and the 3510th Flying Training Wing at Randolph AFB, Texas, from January 1969 to 1971, with the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph from 1971 to May 1972, and with the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, from May 1972 to June 1974. During his time with the 14th FTW, Capt Weidman was attached to the U.S. Navy’s Training Air Wing One at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, as a TA-4 J/F advanced jet Flight Instructor and on the Wing Staff.
After completing F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training, he returned to Southeast Asia as an F-4 pilot with the 555th and then the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from December 1974 to June 1975. During this time, Maj. Weidman participated in Operations Eagle Pull, Frequent Wind, and the rescue of the SS Mayaguez. He then served as an F-15 Eagle pilot and instructor pilot with the 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Virginia, from June 1975 to June 1978, and during this time he completed his master’s degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University at Langley.
He attended the Armed Forces Staff College from June 1978 to January 1979 and then served as F-15 Weapons System project officer and PACAF F-15 Standardization/Evaluation officer. He also originated and acted as project officer for the Hickam AFB T-33 adversary program with the Hawaiian Air National Guard.
Col. Weidman’s next assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and as a plans and programs action officer with Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB from January 1982 to May 1983, followed by service as Commander of the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron and Chief of the 475th Weapons Evaluation Group at Tyndall AFB, Florida, from May 1983 to August 1985.
He then completed Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, in June 1986, and then served as an A-10 Thunderbolt II instructor pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations, and then as Vice Commander of the 355th Tactical Training Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from June 1986 until his retirement from the Air Force on October 1, 1989.
Doug Weidman was Misty 63.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Doug flew for Northwest Airlines, flying Boeing 727s, 757s, 747s, and McDonald Douglas DC-9s and DC-10s. Doug is married to the former Missy Kenney of Tucson, AZ, and they have two children-Gavin and Whitney, and three grandchildren.
Source: http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1461
