Retired Lt. General John Hudson Assumes The Top Museum
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The Air Force announced Dec. 2, 2010, the assignment of Senior
Executive Service member and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John "Jack"
L. Hudson (below) as Director of the National Museum of the U.S.
Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, effective Dec.
16, 2010.
USAF Image
He will replace Senior Executive Service member and retired Air
Force Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf, who will retire Dec. 31,
2010.
"It is an honor to be selected as the next museum director and
to have the opportunity to help move the museum forward on the
foundation that General Metcalf built so well," General Hudson
said. "These are exciting times at the museum, with plans for
growth of museum exhibit space, potential for enhanced educational
(including STEM) programs, and the possibility of acquiring a space
shuttle orbiter and associated artifacts."
General Hudson currently serves as Deputy Director, National
Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,
Ohio. In this job, he assists in the planning, organizing and
directing of the world's largest and oldest military aviation
museum, portraying the heritage and traditions of the Air Force
through specialized exhibits.
Prior to joining the museum, General Hudson last served as
Commander of the Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB,
before his retirement in October 2009 in the grade of lieutenant
general. He also held assignments as Program Executive Officer and
Program Director, Joint Strike Fighter Program, Office of the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and
Acquisition; and Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force
for International Affairs.
As director, General Hudson will manage the museum's 17-acre
campus that includes more than 1 million square feet of public
exhibit space, more than 500 aerospace vehicles and 78,000
artifacts. He will also provide technical and professional guidance
to the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program, which includes 12 field
museums and 260 domestic and international heritage sites,
accounting for nearly 43,000 items on loan. Additionally he will
ensure accountability for more than 6,400 historical artifacts and
aerospace vehicles on loan to 474 civilian museums, cities,
municipalities and veterans' organizations throughout the
world.
A change of director ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 16 at the
museum.