Air Force Research Laboratory announces Class of 2009 Fellows

  • Published
  • By Jeanne Dailey
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  

Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke, the Air Force Research Laboratory commander headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, announced six new AFRL Fellows. 

 

General Bedke stated, "It is my pleasure to announce AFRL's newest fellows.  This award is the highest honor bestowed upon our scientists and engineers in recognition of their technical excellence and outstanding contributions to our research and development programs."

 

Susan Thornton, director, Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate here, added her congratulations to the two new Fellows selected from her directorate, Jorge Beraun and Dr. James (Jim) Degnan.

 

She said, "This is a very prestigious honor bestowed on only a few each year.  Of the six total fellows selected from across AFRL, two of our own were selected.  That speaks well of their tremendous personal accomplishments, and it also reflects well on our organization and the people that make up our directorate."

 

Mr. Beraun is chief of the Directed Energy Directorate's Technology Applications Division. 

 

Regarding his selection, General Bedke stated, "He has made exceptional technical contributions to the Air Force in the area of laser effects.  Mr. Beraun has led the development and demonstration of lethality criteria for all the Department of Defense high-energy laser programs, including the Air Force's Airborne Laser and Advanced Tactical Laser Programs.  His work has been absolutely critical to the development of revolutionary laser technology to address key warfighter capability gaps."

 

Dr. James (Jim) Degnan is chief of the directorate's High Power Microwave Division Pulsed Power Team. 

 

General Bedke said, "Dr. Degnan has made very significant sustained contributions to Air Force Science and Technology in the area of pulsed power and high-energy density plasmas.  These areas underpin many important technologies for future Air Force warfighting needs including directed energy and the production of intense radiation pulses."  Dr. Degnan is responsible for Shiva Star, which is the Air Force's largest pulsed-power system and provides research into the military applications of high-energy pulsed power.

  
Mr. Beraun and Dr. Degnan will be honored along with the entire Air Force Research Laboratory Class of 2009 Fellows at a Fellows Award Banquet on September 29, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Wright-Patterson AFB.