Page 16 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2022 - Online Magazine
P. 16
Colonel Paul Lockhart
Big Sky, Big Dream
Retired
by Jane Bromley
my passion and pointed me over 5000 hours in more than
in the right direction. He told 30 aircraft during his career.
me to become an Air Force “I joined the Air Force to get
pilot and even secured a to NASA, but those years of
slot for me.” That pilot slot operational flying in Germany
was three years in the future and weapons testing were just
because an overseas Rotarian as satisfying as my service to
fellowship and a master’s in NASA.”
aerospace engineering were
necessary. Paul counted the It was during his years at Griffiss
cost and kept his eye on the that he met Mary Germaine
prize. of Boston. “She was a weather
officer, and we would often
Second Lieutenant Lockhart brief together. Her story (which
was commissioned in 1981 includes an illustrious 30-year AF
and sent first to Laughlin career) is even more impressive
AFB before being assigned to than mine.” The two officers
the 49th Fighter-Interceptor married and successfully raised
Squadron at Griffiss AFB two daughters while juggling
in Rome, NY. In 1986, he equally challenging jobs.
est Texas. Open skies. transitioned from T-33s to
Clear Nights. Endless F4s. He served in Germany as Paul’s dream never diminished,
Wpossibility. In this an instructor pilot for the F4 and the already decorated pilot
case, it was the Panhandle that Phantom fighter in the mission began the process of applying to
incubated a life of remarkable of destroying enemy anti-aircraft NASA. “Anyone can apply, but
achievement. Col. Paul Lockhart missiles. “Those years from the process to be selected is long
(USAF, Ret.) points to those big 1986-90 were very gratifying. It and arduous. It takes extensive
skies as the initial inspiration was the end of the Cold War era. time to acquire the skillsets and
for his dreams. He was born in The Berlin Wall came down, and experience required to be an
Amarillo and was coming of age Europe was stable.” In 1991, he astronaut.” The standards are
at the same time as America’s completed a year-long training high, and out of thousands of
space program. The Tascosa High to become a test pilot for the applicants, only a handful are
School Rebel and his Amarillo F-16 high performance military selected. He was selected in
High School buddy, Rick fighter. He was then assigned 1996, and the lifelong dream was
Husband, shared the dream of to the Air Force Developmental within reach. Lubbock Coronado
becoming astronauts. Test Center at Eglin AFB, Florida. alum, Willie McCool, was in his
That dream took shape while at According to the NASA website, class.
“Much of America’s state-of-the-
Texas Tech when Paul decided he art weaponry In 2002, Paul Lockhart became
wanted to be part of America’s was first only the 416th
space program. He changed tested under astronaut. It
his mindset from “I want to his [Col. is still an elite
be an astronaut” to “I will be Lockhart's] club. To date,
an astronaut.” Paul found an guidance only around
ROTC course called “Aerospace at the 39th 600 people are
Studies” in the Tech catalog. Flight Test members. A
The Commandant, Col. Barnes, Squadron.” veteran of two
became a huge influencer in the Paul logged Paul at his Commissioning Ceremony at UT space missions,
young man’s life. “He recognized with his advisor and an ROTC colleague both in 2002,
16 Lubbock Senior Link
