Col Paul J Calhoun is the Deputy Commander for the Air Force Test Center. AFTC is a $31-billion enterprise of more than 19,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel across Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Eglin AFB, Fla., Arnold AFB, Tenn. and more than 30 geographically-separated units. The AFTC provides developmental test and evaluation of experimental and research, manned and unmanned air, space and cyber systems for the military services, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and international partners, in addition to operating the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
Colonel Calhoun was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2002 where he was the top Academic graduate. He continued his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) earning a Master’s Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. He attended pilot training at Columbus AFB, MS where he was the #1 pilot graduate for 2006 as the Annual Orville Wright Award nominee. He began his operational career as a C-17 pilot at Charleston AFB, SC. He deployed multiple times to the Middle East in support of operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and NEW DAWN where he had over 1,100 combat hours and 48 combat airdrops. As a lead Special Operations Evaluator pilot he flew worldwide missions in direct support of unconventional tactics. After attending USAF TPS at Edwards AFB in 2012, he was the lead test pilot for the first air launched intermediate range ballistic missile launched to bolster Missile Defense Agency capabilities and provided developmental support for NASA’s new manned space capsule program. He was the #1 graduate from the Eisenhower School for National Resource Strategy where he developed the Energy Web Dominance framework which leverages power beaming for more dynamic and resilient energy transport for military forces. At DARPA, he started 20 research efforts to supporting the Energy Web Dominance framework. Additionally he led flight test of Gremlins, the first unmanned aircraft launched and air recovered to a host aircraft in flight and was nominated for the Collier Trophy. He led the DARPA LongShot program, which is an air-launched collaborative air vehicle that significantly increases range and effectiveness of existing air-to-air missiles, through detailed design culminating in the start of prototype construction. Col Calhoun is a command pilot with over 3,500 hours in the C-17, KC-46, T-38, F-16, F/A-18, F-15 and 30 other aircraft. Prior to his current assignment, Col Calhoun was the Deputy Commander of a Data Masked organization.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Sciences: Aerospace Propulsion, US Air Force Academy, CO
2004 Masters of Science, Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
2013 Masters of Science, Flight Test Engineering, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA
2020 Masters of Science, National Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington D.C
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2002 – June 2004, Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2. June 2004 – August 2006, Student Pilot, Columbus AFB, MS
3. August 2006 – June 2012, Chief Wing Aircrew Training/ C-17 Lead Special Operations Evaluator Pilot, JB Charleston, SC
4. June 2012 – June 2013, Student, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA
5. June 2013 – Sep 2015, C-17 Experimental Test Pilot, Edwards AFB, CA
6. Sep 2015 – Sep 2016, Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA) Fellow, Arlington, VA
7. Dec 2016 – June 2019, 418th Flight Test Squadron Commander, Edwards AFB, CA
8. June 2019 – June 2020, Student, Eisenhower School for National Resource Strategy, Washington DC
9. June 2020 – July 2023, Defense Advanced Projects Agency Program Manager, Arlington, VA
10. July 2023 – July 2025, Deputy Commander, Data Masked
11. July 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, Air Force Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jun 2020 – July 2023, Program Manager, DARPA, as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,500 (1,135 Combat)
Aircraft flown: Over 30 different types, including C-17, KC-46, T-38, F-16, F/A-18, F-15.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Department of Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant – May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant – May 29, 2004
Captain – May 29, 2006
Major – March 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel – December 1, 2016
Colonel – May 1, 2022