Bruce A. Carlson

For the Canadian composer, see Bruce Carlson (composer).
Bruce Allen Carlson
16th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office
In office
12 June 2009  20 July 2012
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Scott F. Large
Succeeded by Betty J. Sapp
Personal details
Born (1949-10-03) October 3, 1949
Hibbing, Minnesota
Religion Latter-day Saint
Awards Legion of Merit
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Military service
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1971–2009
Rank General
Commands Air Force Materiel Command
8th Air Force
49th Fighter Wing

Bruce Allen Carlson (born October 3, 1949), was the 16th Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. He is a former four-star general in the United States Air Force and served as the sixth Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The command conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war. After over 37 years of service, he retired from the Air Force on January 1, 2009. Carlson served as a general authority and a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from April 2009 to October 2015.

Biography

Carlson was born in Hibbing, Minnesota in 1949.[1] He was commissioned in 1971 after completing the University of Minnesota Duluth's Air Force ROTC program as a distinguished graduate. He has held various assignments in flying units. Staff assignments have included positions at Tactical Air Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the offices of the Secretary of the Air Force and Secretary of Defense, and as the Director of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment with the Joint Staff. Additionally, he commanded the Air Force's 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico Prior to assuming his current position, Carlson served as the Commander, 8th Air Force, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

Carlson is experienced in multiple aircraft weapons systems, is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, and has combat experience in the OV-10.

In April, 2009 Carlson was called as a general authority and a member of the LDS Church's Second Quorum of the Seventy. In June 2009 he was appointed by President Barack Obama as Director of the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, an agency that operates the nation's reconnaissance satellites.

On April 18, 2012, Carlson announced his resignation as director of the NRO, effective July 20, 2012.[2]

LDS Church service

Prior to his call as a general authority in April 2009, Carlson served in the church as an elders quorum president, young men president, bishop, high councilor, and an adviser to the church’s Military Advisory Committee.[3]

Carlson served as one of two area supervisors of the church's Middle East/Africa North Area from 2012 to 2015.[4][5][6] Carlson also served as an Assistant Executive Director of the church's Temple Department.[7] During the church's October 2015 general conference, Carlson was released from the seventy and designated an emeritus general authority.[8]

Education

Assignments

General Bruce A. Carlson, USAF
Commander, Air Force Materiel Command

Flight information

Awards and decorations

Command Air Force Pilot Badge
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Headquarters Air Force Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote fifth award)
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze star
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze star
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
Air Force Training Ribbon

Promotion dates

References

  1. "General Authorities: Elder Bruce A. Carlson". Lds.org. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  2. Risen, James (19 April 2012). "A Military and Intelligence Clash Over Spy Satellites". The New York Times. ...the director of the National Reconnaissance Office, the secret agency that manages the nation’s spy satellites, resigned Wednesday. Bruce Carlson, the director, issued a statement saying that he is leaving the reconnaissance office, which is part of the Department of Defense and the intelligence community, a spokeswoman for the office said.
  3. “Elder Bruce A. Carlson,” Liahona (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), May 2009, p. 138.
  4. "Area Leadership Assignments, 2012", Church News (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), 5 May 2012.
  5. "Area Leadership Assignments, 2013", Church News (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), 25 May 2013.
  6. "Area Leadership Assignments, 2014", Church News (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), 3 May 2014.
  7. "Temple Presidents, Matrons are counseled in annual seminar", Church News (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), 19 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  8. "Releases Announced at October 2015 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church
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