Paul David Cloues
10-08-1956 | Mims, FL
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REVIEW TEAM NOTICE: UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE is not a provided selection! ULA became a company I worked for at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station when it was formed in 2006.
COMMENTS:
Paul David Cloues served in the United States Air Force from 1974 to 1978, stationed at Offutt Air Force Base (Strategic Air Command Headquarters) in Nebraska. Paul was assigned to the 55th Avionics Maintenance Squadron where he maintained aircraft avionics systems for the Presidential National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP E4-A), the Looking Glass (EC-135), Reconnaissance (RC-135), Tanker (KC-135), and Trainer aircraft (T-39).
Upon leaving the Air Force, Paul achieved his Associates Degree from Spartan School of Aeronautics in Oklahoma. He then went to Miami, Florida to work for Eastern Air Lines beginning as a Radio and Electric Technician, then as an Instrument Shop Technician, and later as the Midnight Shift Work Manager for the Avionics Department at Eastern’s Block Overhaul Facility. While employed at Eastern, Paul attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to receive his Bachelor’s Degree.
Paul left Eastern Air Lines due to a labor strike, and then worked for United Airlines in San Francisco, California. He then returned to the east coast to work at several FAA Certified Repair Stations in various capacities, such as Director of Quality, Chief Inspector, Drug Program Manager, and FAA Liaison.
Following his experiences in aviation, Paul embarked upon a journey into the space arena. He accepted an offer to work for The Boeing Company as a Technician to help construct the International Space Station. From there, he worked with Boeing (later known as United Launch Alliance) to assemble and test expendable launch vehicles (rockets) for satellite deployment. Satellites that traveled on these rockets included such notables as the Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) and the Mars Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity). Paul currently works as a Quality Engineer for NASA’s Safety and Mission Assurance Division within the nation’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Paul’s interest in aviation and space began as a child and continued throughout his career. He has enjoyed flying as a Private Pilot in airplanes such as the Piper Cherokee. Paul feels very blessed to have played a part in the air and space industries and continues to support the advancement of these technologies in whatever ways he can.