|
BENJAMIN ALVIN DREW (LIEUTENANT COLONEL, USAF)
NASA ASTRONAUT (MISSION SPECIALIST)
PERSONAL DATA: Born November 5, 1962 in Washington, DC. Single. His parents, Muriel and Benjamin Drew, Sr., reside in Fort Washington, Maryland.
EDUCATION:
1980 High School Diploma from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC.
1984 Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.
1984 Bachelor of Science in Physics from the United States Air Force Academy.
1995 Master of Science in Aerospace Science from Embry Riddle University.
ORGANIZATIONS: Society of Experimental Test Pilots, American Helicopter Society.
SPECIAL HONORS: Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal; Aerial Achievement Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Achievement Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Combat Readiness Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.
EXPERIENCE: Drew received his commission as a Second Lieutenant from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1984. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training - Helicopter at Fort Rucker, Alabama and earned his wings in March 1985. His initial assignment was to the HH-3E flying combat rescue. He transitioned to the MH-60G and was assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command. There, he flew combat missions in operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM and PROVIDE COMFORT. He completed USAF Fixed-Wing Qualification in April 1993, and the United States Naval Test Pilot School in June 1994. He has commanded two flight test units and served on Air Combat Command Staff. He is a Command Pilot with 3000 hours flying time in over 30 types of aircraft.
NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as a mission specialist by NASA in July 2000, Lieutenant Colonel Drew reported for training in August 2000. Following the completion of two years of training and evaluation, he was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Station Operations Branch. He will serve in technical assignments until assigned to a space flight.
FEBRUARY 2004
|