David J. Eichhorn
For exceptional leadership and commitment to the advancement of technological innovation in support of the U.S. Air Force mission.
Commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Retired
- BS, Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, ’76
- MS, Electrical Engineering, University of California Fresno, ’88
- MS, National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, ’99
Major General David J. Eichhorn was a seven-time commander in the U.S. Air Force. Eichhorn entered the armed services as a distinguished graduate through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. During his 35+ years in the Air Force, he served as an experimental test pilot, and his commands included two flight test squadrons, a test group, a test wing, the Arnold Engineering Development Center, the Air Force Flight Test Center and the Air Force Operational Test Center.
A certified acquisition professional, Eichhorn served at the Electronic Systems Center as the vice commander, where he was previously assigned as director of Advanced Command, Control and Communications Systems as well as director of Advanced Aircraft Systems. He has also served as director of the Aeronautical Enterprise Program Office and deputy program executive officer for Aircraft at the Aeronautical Systems Center. At Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command he was deputy director of Plans and Programs and director of Air, Space and Information Operations.
General Eichhorn has flown the B-52D/H, B-1B, F-111 and T-38, serving as an instructor pilot and aircraft commander. He has accumulated more than 6,600 hours in more than 48 aircraft types.
Prior to his retirement from the Air Force, he served as commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, from 2007 to 2010. Eichhorn was responsible for almost $1 billion in Air Force flight test activity, including a 308,000 acre facility, 8,000 people, and the bomber, tanker, cargo and fighter flight test programs.
Current as of February 2025