Astronaut Biography: Ronald J. Garan

NAME: Ronald Garan, Jr.
Colonel, USAF
NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born on October 30, 1961 in Yonkers, NY. Married to the former Carmel Courtney of Brooklyn, NY, and Scranton, PA. They have three sons. Recreational interests include skiing, football, coaching and teaching Sunday School classes to children. His father, Ronald Garan Sr., resides in Yonkers, NY. His mother, Linda Lichtblau, resides in Port St. Lucie, FL with her husband, Peter Lichtblau.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Roosevelt High School, Yonkers, NY in 1979. Bachelor of science degree in business economics from the SUNY College at Oneonta, 1982. Master of science degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1994. Master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida, 1996.

ORGANIZATIONS: Society of Experimental Test Pilots, International Solar Energy Society, Engineers Without Borders, and Founder of the Manna Energy Foundation.

AWARDS: Military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross for Combat Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Award, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and various other service awards. NASA Superior Accomplishment Award and the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal.

SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Graduate and Top Academic Award USAF Fighter Weapons School; Twice selected as Top Academic Instructor Pilot: USAF Weapons School; USAF Weapons School and USAF Weapons and Tactics Center: Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault Award; Distinguished Graduate Squadron Officers School; Top Academic Award F-16 Replacement Training Unit (RTU).

EXPERIENCE: Garan received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force from the Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX, in 1984. Upon completion, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Vance AFB, OK and earned his wings in 1985. He then completed F-16 training at Luke AFB, AZ and reported to Hahn Air Base in former West Germany were he served as a combat ready F-16 pilot in the 496th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), from 1986-88.

In March 1988, he was reassigned to the 17th TFS, Shaw AFB, SC, were he served as an instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, and combat ready F-16 pilot. While stationed at Shaw he attended the USAF Fighter Weapons School, graduating in 1989, and then returned to the 17th TFS to assume the position of Squadron Weapons Officer.

From August 1990 through March 1991, he deployed to SouthWest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm where he flew combat missions in the F-16. In 1991, Garan was reassigned to the USAF Weapons School where he served as a Weapons School Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander and Assistant Operations Officer. In 1994, he was reassigned to the 39th Flight Test Squadron (FTS), Eglin AFB, FL were he served as a developmental test pilot and chief F-16 pilot.

Garan attended the US Naval Test Pilot School at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, MD from January ? December 1997 after which he was reassigned to the 39th FTS, Eglin AFB, FL where he served as the Director of the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile Combined Test Force. Garan was the Operations Officer of the 40th FTS when he was selected for the astronaut program. He has logged over 4500 hours in more than 30 different aircraft.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as a pilot by NASA in July 2000, Colonel Garan reported for training in August 2000. Following the completion of two years of training and evaluation, he was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Station and Shuttle Operations Branches. In April of 2006 he became an aquanaut through his participation in the joint NASA-NOAA, NEEMO 9 (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations), an exploration research mission held in Aquarius, the world's only undersea research laboratory. During this eighteen-day mission, the 6 person crew of NEEMO 9 developed lunar surface exploration procedures and telemedical technology applications in support of our Nation?s Vision for Space Exploration.

He is assigned to the crew of STS-124. The STS-124 mission to the International Space Station will be the second of three flights that will launch components to complete the Japanese ?Kibo? laboratory. During STS-124 he is scheduled to serve as Mission Specialist 2 for ascent and entry, perform three spacewalks, operate the Space Shuttle robotic arm, and assist in the activation of the Kibo laboratory. Launch is targeted for May 2008.

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