About Joe F. Edwards Jr.
Joe Frank Edwards Jr. (born February 3, 1958), (Cmdr, USN, Ret.), is an American aerospace engineer, former naval officer, aviator, test pilot and NASA astronaut. == Early life and education == Edwards was born February 3, 1958, in Richmond, Virginia, but considers both Lineville, Alabama, and Roanoke Alabama, to be his hometowns. He graduated from Lineville High School in 1976 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. In 1994, he received a Master of Science degree in Aviation Systems from University of Tennessee in Knoxville. == Naval Aviator career == Edwards was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1982. He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143) in 1983, after completion of F-14 Tomcat training, and flew fighter escort and reconnaissance combat missions over Lebanon in 1983. He graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in 1984 and from U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1986. He subsequently worked as project flight test officer and pilot for F-14A (PLUS) and F-14D Full Scale Development. He flew the first Navy flight of the F-14D and a high angle of attack/departure from controlled flight test program for the F-14 airframe/F110 engine integration.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.