USAFA Class Heritage

Norman I. (Skip) Lee, spent over 24 years as an Air Force officer serving in various staff, operational and command positions including Transport Pilot flying the Lockheed C-141A Starlifter, Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia flying the O-1E and Weather Reconnaissance Pilot flying the WC-130 Hercules.  He spent nine years in Weather Reconnaissance as a member of the 53^rd WRS Hurricane Hunters and 54^th WRS Typhoon Chasers including a stint (1982-1984) as Commander of the 54^th WRS.  Other assignments included the USAF Academy Faculty teaching Military History, Executive Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations for Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Deputy Commander Operations of the 1550^th CCTW and Director Aircrew Stan Evaluation HQ 23 Air Force (now the Air Force Special Operations Command).  He retired from the Air Force in 1987 with over 4,500 flying hours and the rank of Colonel.  Skip began a second career with The Boeing Company in 1988 as a 737 Flightcrew Instructor.  In 1991 he joined the 777 Division Program Certification Group as a Certification Specialist for Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations and Avionics Systems working to gain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acceptance of the new Boeing airplane.  He also managed the European validation of the FAA's Certification of the 777-200 by the Joint Aviation Authorities of Europe.  In September 1996, Skip assumed the position of Certification Manager responsible for all new Boeing Commercial Airplane Certification Programs.  During Skip's last 3 years at Boeing he led two inter-agency and industry wide teams; one to create corporate processes to achieve FAA regulatory approval of transport type aircraft for use in military roles.  The second team coordinated Industry, FAA, and European aviation authorities during the set up and stand up of a European Union regulatory entity the European Aviation Safety Agency.  Skip is married to the former Linda McArthur of Kenilworth, IL.  They have two children and two grandchildren.  Daughter, Susan Thomas born September 1964 and David Lee born in November 1968.  The grandchildren are Samantha Lee born in 1998 and Caroline Thomas born in 2004.  Skip and Linda are both retired and reside near Tucson, AZ.

Awards and Decorations:  Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Air Medal (11 OLC) and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Other Data:

Born:  Maysville, Kentucky, June 8, 1941

Assignments:

United States Air Force, 1963 - 1987

The Boeing Company, 1988 - 2003