Edward C. Aldridge Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pete Aldridge
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| 16th United States Secretary of the Air Force | |
| In office June 9, 1986 – December 16, 1988 Acting: April 6, 1986 – June 8, 1986 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Russell A. Rourke |
| Succeeded by | Donald Rice |
| 9th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office | |
| In office August 3, 1981 – December 16, 1988 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Robert J. Hermann |
| Succeeded by | Martin C. Faga |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Cleveland Aldridge Jr.
August 18, 1938 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Texas A&M University, College Station (BS) Georgia Institute of Technology (MS) |
Edward "Pete" Cleveland Aldridge Jr. (born August 18, 1938) is an American aerospace engineer and former government official. He worked for the U.S. Defense Department for many years. He was even chosen to be a payload specialist for a Space Shuttle mission called STS-62-A. This mission was planned for July 1986. However, it was canceled after the tragic Space Shuttle Challenger accident in January 1986. Because of this, Aldridge never flew into space.
During the 1980s, Aldridge held several important roles in the Department of Defense. He served as the Under Secretary of the Air Force from 1981 to 1986. He was also the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office from 1981 to 1988. Later, he became the Secretary of the Air Force from 1986 to 1988. Under President George W. Bush, he was the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics from 2001 to 2003. After his government service, he led major aerospace companies.
Early Life and Education
Edward Cleveland Aldridge Jr. was born in Houston, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1960. He studied at Texas A&M University. Later, he received a Master of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
A Career in Space and Defense
Pete Aldridge played a very important part during the later years of the Cold War. This was a time when the U.S. and the Soviet Union (USSR) were in a tense standoff. Aldridge helped make sure the U.S. military could always get its important equipment into space.
From 1981 to 1988, he was the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. This U.S. government agency is in charge of designing, building, launching, and maintaining America's spy satellites. At the time, the U.S. relied only on the Space Shuttle to launch heavy equipment. Aldridge felt this was risky. So, in 1985, he ordered ten Titan IV rockets from Martin Marietta. These rockets would provide a second way to launch important systems.
His decision proved to be very wise. When the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986, the Space Shuttle fleet was grounded for two years. But because of Aldridge's planning, the U.S. military could still launch its satellites using the Titan IV rockets. This meant they could continue their important work in space without interruption.
In 2001, Aldridge became the Pentagon's top person for buying weapons. His title was the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. In this role, he was responsible for buying new equipment, research, and development. He also oversaw logistics, advanced technology, and international programs.
In 2002, during his time as Under Secretary, he approved the purchase of F-35 fighter jets. This happened before all the critical tests were finished. He believed the F-35 was "setting new standards" for technology. However, his successor, Frank Kendall, had a different view in 2012. Kendall said that buying the F-35s years before testing was "acquisition malpractice." By 2012, the military had spent $373 million to fix the planes already bought. The total cost to fix these planes was estimated to be close to $8 billion. This shows how complex and costly big defense projects can be.
Aldridge held many other important jobs throughout his career, including:
- Secretary of the Air Force
- President of McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems Company
- President and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation
- Adviser for important arms control talks in Helsinki and Vienna
- Senior manager with the LTV Aerospace Corp.
- Senior management associate in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
- Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for Strategic Programs
- Vice President of National Policy and Strategic Systems Group for the System Planning Corporation
- Air Force Undersecretary, overseeing the National Reconnaissance Office and the Air Force space program
Awards and Recognition
Pete Aldridge has received several awards for his service, including:
- Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award
- Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award
- Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award
In 2005, he received the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award from the Space Foundation. This award honors people who have made major contributions to space technology and exploration.
