"A Legacy Lives On At Eglin AFB, Florida"
Lt. Col. Joseph A Hoelscher - USAF (Dec.)

Joe was soon to be named Commander of the 486th Flight Test Squadron in June/July, 2006. But, it did not happen due to his untimely death April 27, 2006, following a required 1 1/2 mile PT run.
It was Joseph's dream to have a place to relax and socialize after returning to Eglin from a mission for debriefing(s) and planning for the next mission(s). It took an all out effort from the men and women of the 486th Flight Test Squadron – but
"Mission accomplished".

In January of 2008 Room 127, the planning and briefing room was named "The Hoelscher Heritage Room". It must be noted here that all the labor was voluntary and during off duty hours. No Air Force funds were used to purchase wood, nails, screws, furniture and a stainless steel cooler, which was well stocked. The money needed to accomplish this undertaking came from donations within the squadron.
Information submitted by Jim and Kathy Hoelscher.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoelscher was born on September 20, 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1989. He earned the first of two master's degrees from Webster University in 1998 and his second from Air University in 2003. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1996 and Air Command and Staff College in 2003.
Lt Col Hoelscher entered the U.S. Air Force in 1989 as an AFROTC distinguished graduate. His first assignment was to the Aero Systems Division at Wright Patterson AFB, OH where he was the Maverick missile program manager and in 1992 assigned as the F-117 Avionics Upgrade deputy program manager. In 1993 Lt Col Hoelscher attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, MS. Upon graduation, he was assigned as a member of the initial cadre to the C-1 7A at Charleston AFB, SC. While at Charleston AFB, he was the Chief of Wing Readiness and later became the assistant commander and commander of B Flight, 17th Airlift Squadron. In 1998, Lt Col Hoelscher was selected for a special duty assignment to work as the commander of Special Plans and Acquisitions Flight at Pope AFB, NC. Upon his graduation from ACSC in 2003, he was assigned to the Pentagon as the Assistant for Counterterrorism Policy. Lt Col Hoelscher assumed the duties of Operations Officer at the 486 FTS, Eglin AFB, FL on 8 July, 2005.
Lt Col Hoelscher was a senior pilot with over 2,300 flight hours in the C-32B, C-130H, DHC-6, and the C-1 7A. His military decorations included the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with I oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with I oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with I oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, AF Outstanding Unit Award with I oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal with I oak leaf cluster, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Lt Col Hoelscher is survived by his wife Martha of Niceville, daughters Victoria and Alexandra of Hope Mills, NC, and his parents James and Kathleen Hoelscher of Cincinnati, OH.

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