10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and
Lieutenant Colonel Roger J. Paul was born in Chicago, IL
His father was always interested in being a pilot and named his son after what pilots said on the radio in WWII –Roger. As a child, Roger was only interested in being a Fighter Pilot.
Lt Col Paul was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Michigan in Jun 1969. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and earned his wings in October 1970.
His first assignment in Nov 1970 was to the 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS), 58th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW), Luke AFB AZ as an F-l00 pilot. In Jul 1971, he completed training as an 0-2 Forward Air Controller (FAC) in the 547th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field FL. From Aug 1970 through Jan 1971 he was assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS) as a FAC with the 3d Brigade of the 1st Cavalry at Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic of Vietnam. In Feb 1971, he became a Fighter Duty Officer at III Corps Direct Air Support Center. In Aug 1972, he was reassigned to the 22 TASS at Wheeler AFB, HI as an Air Liaison Officer for the 1st Brigade, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
Lt Col Paul was next assigned to the 465 TFTS, 49 TFW, Holloman AFB NM as a wing pilot and Command Post Controller in Jan 1976. In Oct 1976, he was assigned to the 309 TFTS, 31 TFW, Homestead AFB FL as an F-4 pilot. He returned to the 9 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), 49 TFW, in Mar 1977 and became a Flight Commander. With the closing of the F-4 at Holloman in Jun 1978, he was assigned to Luke AFB for F-4 Central Instructor School with follow-on assignment in Nov 1978 to the 561 TFS and 21 TFTS, 35 TFW, at George AFB, CA. While at George, he was Chief of Squadron Scheduling, Wing Scheduler, and Wing Programmer.
In May 1984 Lt Col Paul was assigned to Operational Plans, Headquarters, United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) as an Exercise Plans Officer. In Dec 1985, he became a Contingency Plans Staff Officer where he planned and aided in the execution of ELDORADO CANYON, air operations against Libya. In Jan 1987, he became the Executive Officer to the USAFE Deputy Commander for Operations.
Lt Col Paul was next assigned to the 479 Tactical Training Wing (TTW) in Jun 1987. Upon completing an instructor upgrade, he became Chief of Wing Inspections. In Sep 88, he became Operations Officer of the 465 Tactical Training Squadron (TTS) in charge of the development of training syllabi and manuals for the USAF Fighter Lead in Program. He became Commander of that unit in Mar 1990, commanding a unit of 30 military and 25 civilian personnel.
Lt Col Paul retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and is married to the former Sandra Boodry of Glen Ellyn IL, celebrating 53 years of marriage in 2019.
Immediately after retirement from the USAF he was hired by Continental Airlines and based out of Newark International Airport, Newark NJ. At Continental, Roger flew as a Second Officer on the Airbus A-300/B4 and Boeing B-727/100/200. He flew as First Officer on the Boeing B-737/100/300/500/700/900, B757, B-767 and B-777 and Flew passenger service in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Central, and South America. Based in Guam, he flew freight for DHL in Asia.
Captain Paul served as a Check Airman on the B-727 and retired as a B-737 Captain after 16 years and over 15,000 hours.
During the Continental years, he lived in Easton, PA, and restored an 1833 Federal House of 8000 square feet. It took 20 years to complete as the house was vacant when bought and had been in foreclosure. The house is a Registered Pennsylvania Historic Property.
Membership in Proud Renaissance in Downtown Easton (PRIDE), Easton Heritage Alliance (EHA), Art Community of Easton (ACE), Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce (TRACC), Local Historic District (LHD) Task Force, Historic District Commission (HDC) implementation Committee Chair, and Main Street Program (MSP) Organizational Committee, State Theater, and the Canal Museum. He served on the Easton Planning Commission and the Committee for the Restoration of the Simon Silk Mill and Bushkill Creek Rehabilitation.
He is also a member of the Super Sabre Society, Daedalians, Air Force Association, Military Officers of America Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, National Rifle Association, Triangle Fraternity, and Air Line Pilots Association.
Roger is currently living in Viera FL. His major activities include travel in the USA and the World (by cruise ship when able) as he enjoys his retirement.
