Makes Donation Towards The Construction Of A New Flight Test Museum

The Flight Test Museum Foundation (FTMF) is honored to announce a generous contribution from Dr. Eileen Bjorkman, Executive Director, Air Force Test Center. Dr. Bjorkman contributed $50,000 to the FTMF to sponsor the RF-4C (#004) and help directly fund construction of the new Flight Test Museum being built outside the West Gate at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB).

Director of the Flight Test Museum, Mr. George Welsh will join with the Foundation Board to honor Dr Bjorkman at a ceremony on February 25, 2020 at the Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base (405 S Rosamond Blvd, Edwards, CA). The presentation will begin at 12:30 pm and will be immediately followed by refreshments inside the museum.

Dr. Bjorkman (TPS grad, class 85B) was one of a few women who ever flew in F-4s, flying as a flight test engineer in the F-4s at Edwards in the 1980s. Dr. Bjorkman was commissioned through Officer Training School in 1980 and served nearly 30 years in the Air Force, retiring as a colonel. During her military career she served as a flight test engineer, instructor and test squadron commander. She was a senior non-rated aircrew member and flew more than 700 hours as a flight test engineer in over 25 different aircraft, primarily the F-4, F-16, C-130 and C-141. She also held multiple staff and director positions involving modeling, simulation, analysis and joint testing, retiring from active duty as the Chief of the Modeling and Simulation Policy Division, Warfighter Systems Integration and Deployment. Dr. Bjorkman was appointed as a Senior Leader executive in January 2010 and entered the Senior Executive Service in 2015.

“I’ve benefited so much in my life from the generosity of others, so it’s very rewarding to give something back,“ said Dr. Bjorkman. “I’m thrilled that I can help preserve an important part of the history of flight testing, the Air Force, and our nation. And I’m especially pleased that I can do it with a model of my favorite airplane, the F-4, and even better, one that I actually got to fly in!”

In addition to Dr. Bjorkman’s impressive history in the Air Force, she is also an Eagle of the FTMF (2018) Women of Flight Test. The FTMF is grateful for her contribution to support the construction of the new museum and her continued support to help preserve the past and inspire future generations.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Bjorkman as a former F4 Flight Test Engineer connected to the airplane, support its restoration and the mission of the Foundation,” said Art Thompson, FTMF Chairman.  “Dr. Bjorkman’s contribution will help us move forward with construction of the new museum, preserve the Right Stuff heritage, support STEM education and inspire future generations to come.”

(Source: FTMF news release)

FMI: www.afftcmuseum.org