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
Loren E. Timm, Biography
I was born in Worthington, Minnesota, grew up on a dairy farm near Millard, Nebraska. Growing up and working on a farm was a good life, but I also knew I did not want to be a dairy farmer; I always wanted to fly in the Air Force. So after graduating from Millard High in 1956, it was off to the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), where AFROTC and football scholarships helped pay the bills, earned an AF commission, and received a pilot slot.
In June 1960, I was a UNO AFROTC distinguished graduate and commissioned as an Air Force 2nd lieutenant. Commissioning was the beginning of a rewarding 29-year career in service to our country. I entered primary pilot training at Spence Air Force Base, Georgia; basic pilot training was at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas. I earned my wings on 18 July 1961 as a Distinguished Graduate. An F-100 assignment followed: it was off to Luke AFB and Nellis AFB for training.
From 1960 until 1989, it was an honor to serve our great country in the US Air Force and retired in the grade of Colonel. I attained more than 4,800 flying hours (including combat) in the F-100, F-4, A-7, F-5, F-16, O-2, T-34, T-33, T-37, T-38, and T-39. Assignments spanned the globe from across the United States to overseas locations, including Spain, Turkey, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Panama.
My career focus was on fighter operations. Assignments included USAF Fighter Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E), Developmental Testing and Evaluation, instructing at the USAF weapons school, and Adversary tactics and Command. Some of my significant assignments included: Commander of 24th Composite Wing, Tactical Air Command, located in the Republic of Panama; Vice Commander of the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada; and Vice Commander of the Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, Florida. During assignments at the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, I served as F-4 & A-7 Fighter Weapons Instructor, the 1st Deputy Commander for Adversary Tactics, Deputy Commander for OT&E, and Vice Wing Commander. Additionally, I was involved with the source selection between the YF-16/YF-17. At Edwards AFB, I was a member of the initial cadre of flight test pilots as Deputy then Director OT&E. In February 1979, I led the first F-16 OT&E to Europe and later participated in the F-16 Multi-national OT&E program.
Following retirement from the USAF, I joined General Dynamics in April 1989, which later became Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (LMA) in Fort Worth, Texas. Employment started as a manager, then advanced to become the Director of International Business Development for Middle East programs, working directly with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey. In 2000, I became the F-16 Program Director for Customer Requirements. This role involved direct supporting each of 25 countries worldwide that had purchased F-16s for their force structure. Fourteen of these countries have made multiple follow-on buys.
After retiring from Aeronautics on 1 February 2011, I joined Eclipse Aerospace Inc. (EAI) as a consultant and sales representative. EAI has since merged with Kestral Aircraft to form ONE Aviation.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering-Business Administration from UNO. In addition, I am a graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, the USAF Fighter Aggressor Weapons School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Also, I have completed the University of Southern California Defense Systems Management Course.
I am a member of the Order of Daedalians and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. At UNO, I was a member and President of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and lettered three years in football.
I have been married to my best friend Judith Loring Timm since 9 April 1960. We have three children: David (Jake), retired USAF Colonel & F-15 pilot; Scott, restaurant manager; Susan, a nurse, BS MSN. In addition, we have one grandson and three granddaughters.
