Roger Lowell Counts

LT. COLONEL ROGER LOWELL COUNTS
U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1959, Cadet Squadron 09

Roger Lowell Counts, a member of the United States Air Force Academy’s historic "First Class," was born in Brewster, Ohio, the son of Luther and Helen Mullin Counts. After graduating from Brewster High School in 1953, he spent two years at Kent State University before answering the call to join the newly established Air Force Academy. As a member of the Class of 1959, he was among the pioneers who set the traditions and standards for the generations of cadets that followed.

Upon commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Roger entered pilot training, completing Primary training in the T-34 at Graham Air Base and Basic training in the T-33 at Webb Air Base. His early career was defined by his expertise as an instructor, a role he excelled in across a diverse array of airframes, including the T-33, T-37, T-38, F-105 Thunderchief, and the F-111 Aardvark.

The defining chapter of Roger’s combat service occurred in 1966. Flying the F-105 "Thud" with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Kadena Air Base, he completed 100 combat missions over North Vietnam in just six months. His bravery in the heavily defended skies of Southeast Asia earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and 11 Air Medals.

Following his combat tour, Roger transitioned into the cutting-edge world of flight testing and systems engineering. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1971, which paved the way for influential assignments at Edwards Air Force Base. There, he served as a Systems Engineer for the F-15 Eagle and Lead Systems Engineer for the F-16 Fighting Falcon during their critical development phases. He also served as the Director of Range Operations for the Mission Control Center, overseeing the complex testing of the Air Force's next generation of air superiority.

Roger’s leadership extended to command positions, including serving as the Commander of Detachment 1, Koon-Ni Range in South Korea, and Director of Safety at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. He retired from active duty in 1982 after 23 years of dedicated service.

In his post-military career, Roger became a respected manager for engineering contractors including BDM Corp, SAIC, and Tybrin Corp, continuing his support of flight test missions at Edwards AFB until his second retirement in 1999. His technical contributions were so significant that he was honored as a Fellow in the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE) in 2005.

A man of many passions, Roger was a devoted "River Rat" (Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association) and a master builder of miniature aircraft. He built and flew over 20 radio-controlled planes, eventually donating his museum-quality Curtis JN-4D “Jenny” to the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Roger was known for his sharp humor and a deep love for his family, traveling the world with his wife, Lora, and leaving behind a legacy of service, engineering excellence, and aviation history.

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EDUCATION

Year Degree/Training Institution
1953 High School Diploma Brewster High School, OH
1955 Undergraduate Studies (2 years) Kent State University
1959 Bachelor of Science U.S. Air Force Academy
1960 Undergraduate Pilot Training Graham AB / Webb AFB
1971 M.S. Electrical Engineering Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
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MEDALS AND AWARDS

Award Quantity
Distinguished Flying Cross 1
Meritorious Service Medal 1
Air Medal 11
Air Force Commendation Medal 1
National Defense Service Medal 1
Vietnam Service Medal 1 (with device)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal 1
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SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Role Location
1959–1960 Pilot Training (T-34/T-33) Graham AB, FL / Webb AFB, TX
1960–1965 Instructor Pilot Webb AFB, TX
1965–1966 Pilot, 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron Kadena AB, Okinawa
1967–1971 Instructor Pilot, 474th TFW Nellis AFB, NV
1971–1973 AFIT Student Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1973–1975 Pilot / Director of Safety, 405th FW Clark AB, Philippines
1975–1978 Chief, Systems Engineering Branch Edwards AFB, CA
1978–1979 Commander, Det 1, 51st Composite Wing Koon-Ni Range, South Korea
1979–1981 Deputy Flight Test Engineer Division Edwards AFB, CA
1982 Retired from USAF Edwards AFB, CA