James Dutton (astronaut)


James Patrick "Mash" Dutton, Jr. is a NASA astronaut pilot of the Class of 2004, and a former test pilot in the US Air Force with the rank of colonel.

Education

Dutton was born November 20, 1968, in Eugene, Oregon, where he received his early education; he attended Cal Young Middle School then graduated from Sheldon High School. He joined the Air Force and graduated first in his class from the United States Air Force Academy in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering. Along with being awarded the top cadet in order of graduation, in an unprecedented feat, he also received the top military cadet, top academic cadet, top pilot and top engineering student awards. He has subsequently earned in 1994 a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics from the University of Washington.

Career

Dutton is a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1991. During this period he was a member of the intercollegiate Cadet Competition Flying Team.
Dutton's pilot training was at Sheppard AFB, Texas.
In 1993–1994, Dutton completed his master's degree at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
In 1995 Dutton undertook F-15C training at Tyndall AFB, Florida, then flew as an operational F-15C pilot with the 493d Fighter Squadron "Grim Reapers" at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, from October 1995 to May 1998. During this time he was deployed over Iraq and flew over 100 combat hours providing air superiority in support of Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Northern Watch over northern Iraq.
In May 1998, Dutton joined the 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and flew operational test missions in the F-15C.
He was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and graduated with the Class 00A in December 2000.
Dutton served with the 416th Flight Test Squadron flying the F-16 until June 2002.
He joined the F-22 Combined Test Force flying the Raptor with the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, California, logging over 350 flight hours from August 2002 to June 2004.
He was selected for NASA astronaut training in May 2004, and received his astronaut pin on February 10, 2006.
Dutton has over 6,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft.
He served as CAPCOM on the STS-123 Space Shuttle mission.
Dutton was named as the pilot of the STS-131 mission.
After retiring from the US Air Force in 2014, he became an airline pilot with Southwest Airlines.
In June 2020, Dutton joined Dynetics, Inc. as a technical advisor on their design for NASA’s Human Landing System supporting the Artemis Program.

Spaceflight career

Dutton flew as the pilot of the STS-131 mission to the International Space Station, launched on April 5, 2010.

Family and interests

Dutton is married to Erin Dutton with 4 sons: James Patrick III, Will, Joey, and Ryan, and they live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
He is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and the Officers' Christian Fellowship.