Harold Brown Award


The Harold Brown Award is the highest award given by the United States Air Force to a scientist or engineer who applies scientific research to solve a problem critical to the needs of the Air Force.

History and purpose of the Harold Brown Award

The Harold Brown Award is intended to recognize significant achievements in research and development. It is named for Harold Brown, a physicist who served as United States Secretary of the Air Force from 1965-1969, and later as United States Secretary of Defense.
The Harold Brown award is presented annually to a person whose achievements in research and development have led to, or demonstrated promise of, a substantial improvement in the operational effectiveness of the Air Force. It is awarded through the United States Air Force chief scientist's office.
The winner of the award receives a brass medallion set in a block of Lucite and a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The name of the winner is also engraved on a plaque near the office of the Secretary of the Air Force and he or she may also wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon or Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin as appropriate.

List of recipients of the Harold Brown Award

Recipients of the Harold Brown Award include:
YearNameNotes
1969Ronald W. Terry
1975John R. BoydUnited States Air Force fighter pilot and Pentagon consultant
1976Herbert J. Hickey, JrFor engineering F-15 handling qualities.
1977Joseph C. Foster, Jr.University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign
Awarded for research in advanced conventional warheads while at the Air Force Armament Laboratory, Eglin AFB FL
1978Henry Berry GarrettProject scientist for the SCATHA program
For developing a mathematical model of the earth's space environment at high altitudes
1979Terence James Elkins
1982Raymond P. Urtz
1985George A. VanassePhysicist at the US Air Force Geophysics Laboratory at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts
1986John F. PaulsonAir Force Research Laboratory, Hanscom Field, Lexington, Massachusetts
Awarded for major advances in ion-molecule chemical kinetics
1987Davy BelkMember of the Senior Executive Service and Director, Information Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York
For developing computational fluid dynamics methods.
1990Carl E. BaumSenior Scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory
1991Northrup Fowler III
1994William F. Storm
1995John M. ReisingAir Force Research Laboratory
For the successful transition of cockpit technology including pictorial displays, voice control and display symbology
1998Jeffrey L. Craigfor Panoramic Night Vision Goggle Development
1999Robert Q. Fugate
2000Frank Marcos
2001Dean F. Kocian
2002Nelson ForsterAir Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
For his work developing corrosion-resistant materials for engine mechanical systems
2003Dr Peter M. WegnerFor his work in developing spacecraft technologies
2004H. John MucksElectronics engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York
For the web-based Time Line Analysis System.
2005John A. CaldwellAir Force Research Laboratory at Brooks City-Base, Texas
For his research on the effects of fatigue.
2007Jim F. RikerAir Force Research Laboratory
2008Mark Haney
2009Derek KingstonAir Vehicles Directorate
For improvements to the technology for cooperative unmanned air vehicle route surveillance
2010Dr. Candace LynchSenior scientist at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
For pioneering new infrared technology.
2011Dr. Michael HooserA chief scientist from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
For his role in significant advances in hypersonic missile research.
2012Dr. Mark H. DraperA senior engineering research psychologist, Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance
For human factors research.
2013Dr. Peter J. CollinsAssociate Professor of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology
2014Dr. Donald R. ErbschloeSenior Level Executive and Chief Scientist of the Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
2015Dr Lisa TrippAirman Systems Directorate's Continuous Learning Branch
For innovative and cost-saving training methods and platforms for the Air Force intelligence community
2016Lt Col Joseph C. PomagerProgram Manager, Command & Control Systems, Integrated Combat Systems Division, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office
Led Chief of Staff-directed effort to increase situational awareness, streamline command and control, and shorten the kill-chain, while reducing stove-piping.