Lt Col James “Nut” Gresham, PhD is the commander of the 716th Test Squadron, 804th Test Group, Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. The 716th Test Squadron is the Nation’s center of excellence for aerodynamic and aerothermal ground test and evaluation. The team provides high-fidelity wind tunnel data and analysis to drive development of air vehicles, space vehicles, and critical weapon systems in support of national security programs. It is comprised of 550 military, civilians, and contractors responsible for $5B in world-class test facilities with a $100M annual test program portfolio. Lt Col Gresham directs operations in nine wind tunnels and drives development for F-35, F-22, B-1, F-15, F-16, F-18, cruise missiles, remotely piloted aircrafts, hypersonic weapons, and next generation platforms.
A 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Lt Col Gresham was first assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) at Edwards AFB, Calif. As a flight test engineer, he led test planning and execution for new warfighter capabilities on USAF and ally F-16s and guided high angle-of-attack test missions. Then, he earned a master’s degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology with a curriculum focus on aircraft stability and control, while his thesis work developed a control algorithm for optically tracking satellites and aircraft with telescopes. Next, he was an assistant professor, executive officer, and deputy lab director for the Department of Aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. He taught courses in aircraft flight mechanics, feedback control systems, and aircraft design. He greatly expanded the department’s unmanned aerial systems research capabilities and conducted wind tunnel research projects with cadets. During this time, he also deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Next, while a student at USAF Test Pilot School, he led a team of peers conducting model validation and a handling quality assessment on an innovative flight control law. Then, he was the assistant director of operations and chief flight test engineer for the 452 FLTS and Global Vigilance CTF at Edwards AFB, Calif. He led a selectively manned team conducting full spectrum flight test on the Nation’s most advanced unmanned aircraft. The team garnered 2017 and 2018 Air Force Material Command Test Team of the Year awards for delivering war-winning capabilities and rapidly arming the President with national security options.
Prior to his current assignment, Lt Col Gresham was a Ph.D. Fellow at Virginia Tech. He conducted aerodynamic modeling research in nonlinear regions, including stall spins, with experimental flight data from unmanned aircraft.
EDUCATION
2007 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2015 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Distinguished Graduate)
2016 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, United States Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2019 Air Command and Staff College, Air University (Correspondence)
2022 Doctor of Philosophy, Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jul 2007 - Jul 2009, F-16 Flight Test Engineer and Chief of Control Room Operations, 416 FLTS, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2. Jul 2009 - Aug 2010, F-16 Flight Test Engineer and Chief of Scheduling, 416 FLTS, Edwards AFB, Calif.
3. Aug 2010 - Mar 2012, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. Apr 2012 - Jul 2014, Instructor and Executive Officer, Department of Aeronautics, USAFA, Colo.
5. Jul 2014 - Jun 2015, Assistant Professor and Deputy Lab Director, Department of Aeronautics, USAFA, Colo.
6. Jul 2015 - Jul 2016, Student, Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
7. Jul 2016 - Dec 2016, Flight Commander and Chief Flight Test Engineer, 452 FLTS, Edwards AFB, Calif.
8. Jan 2017 - Jul 2019, Assistant Director of Operations and Chief Flight Test Engineer, 452 FLTS, Edwards AFB, Calif.
9. Aug 2019 - May 2022, Student, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.
10. Jun 2022 - present, Commander, 716 TS, Arnold AFB, Tenn.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Ratings: None
Experience: Flight Test Engineer, Private Pilot
Flight hours: More than 350
Aircraft flown: C-12, F-16, T-38, T-41, C-172, 25+ others
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Senior Member
Society of Flight Test Engineers
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Outstanding Academy Educator, United States Air Force Academy
Special Programs Engineer of the Year, Air Force Material Command
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2007
First Lieutenant May 30, 2009
Captain May 30, 2011
Major March 1, 2017
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2021
(Current as of Aug 2022)