Edward Hjalmer Josephson

LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDWARD HJALMER JOSEPHSON
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Edward Hjalmer Josephson was born on February 21, 1938, in New York. Driven by a desire to serve his country at the dawn of a new military era, he entered the newly established United States Air Force Academy, graduating with the historic first class—the Class of 1959. During his time at the Academy, he was a proud member of Cadet Squadron 08. The USAFA Honor Code left an indelible mark on his life; he later noted that it served as a foundational boundary condition and a primary guiding principle throughout his entire personal and professional journey.

MILITARY SERVICE AND STRATEGIC ASSIGNMENTS

Following graduation and commissioning in June 1959, Lieutenant Josephson entered pilot training at Bainbridge Air Base and Vance Air Force Base. He earned his wings in 1960 and spent the next seven years flying transport aircraft with the 3rd Military Airlift Squadron out of Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.

As the conflict in Southeast Asia intensified, he transitioned to tactical operations, serving as a pilot with the 345th Tactical Airlift Squadron at CCK Air Base in Taiwan from 1968 to 1969. Upon returning to the United States, he served as a pilot and Standardization Officer (StdnO) at Headquarters Military Airlift Command (MAC).

Recognizing his sharp analytical skills, the Air Force sponsored his post-graduate studies at the University of Rochester, where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Analysis in 1972. This specialized education led to highly strategic assignments, including serving as a Systems Analyst for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in Washington, D.C., within the General Purpose Forces Division of the Studies, Analysis & Gaming Agency. He further contributed to military strategy as a Research Associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for International Studies, and graduated from the Air War College in 1978. He concluded his 24 years of active duty service command back in the cockpit flying the C-141 Starlifter with the 20th Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, retiring in 1983 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5).

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Following his retirement from active duty, Edward transitioned into defense technology and strategic planning. He spent nearly two decades in Wilmington, Massachusetts, initially joining Avco Systems Division as a Senior Consulting Scientist and Deputy Manager for Tactical Operations Analysis. He later became the Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning for TEXTRON Defense Systems, eventually retiring as Vice President of Business Planning & Communications in 1997.

In his post-military life, Edward settled in Brentwood, New Hampshire, where he became deeply involved in veteran advocacy and community organizations. He served on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA-NH) and was a highly active member of the Air Force Association (AFA) in New Hampshire, where he was honored with the Medal of Merit and multiple Exceptional Service Awards for his dedicated civic leadership.

EDUCATION

Year Degree / Certification Institution
1959 Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy
1965 Squadron Officer School (SOS) Maxwell Air Force Base
1972 Master of Science in Systems Analysis University of Rochester
1978 Air War College (S) Maxwell Air Force Base

MEDALS AND AWARDS
• Bronze Star Medal (1)
• Meritorious Service Medal (3)
• Air Medal (4)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1960 Pilot Training Bainbridge Air Base / Vance Air Force Base
1961–1968 Pilot, 3rd Military Airlift Squadron Charleston Air Force Base, SC
1968–1969 Pilot, 345th Tactical Airlift Squadron CCK Air Base, Taiwan
1969–1971 Pilot / Standardization Officer (StdnO) Headquarters MAC
1971–1972 Post-Graduate Student University of Rochester, NY
1972–1976 Systems Analyst, General Purpose Forces Division Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
1976–1977 Research Associate, Center for International Studies MIT, Cambridge, MA
1977–1979 C-141 Pilot, 20th Military Airlift Squadron Charleston Air Force Base, SC