NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE

14675 Lee Road

Chantilly, VA 20151-1715

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release #02-12

CONTACT: (703) 808-5050 February 3, 2012

NRO SELECTS 2011 CLASS OF PIONEERS

Mr. Bruce Carlson, Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, has selected

Dr. Thomas Brackey, Colonel Joseph Eash III, USAF (Ret), Dr. Michael Parker,

Dr. John Shipley, and Mr. Richard Van Wagoner as the 2011 Pioneers of National 

Reconnaissance. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) honors as Pioneers those 

individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the discipline of 

national reconnaissance. Director Carlson inducted this year’s honorees into Pioneer Hall 

in a ceremony on February 3, 2012, at NRO headquarters in Chantilly, Va. The 

Honorable James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, was this year’s featured 

speaker.

Dr. Thomas Brackey pioneered critical breakthroughs, including first-of-a-kind 

hardware, in space-based communications technology and operational concepts that 

enabled near real-time collection and dissemination of data. His career in national 

reconnaissance spans from 1969 to the present. 

Colonel Joseph J. Eash III, USAF (Ret), pioneered the application of special innovative 

technologies to the NRO overhead reconnaissance mission. As Chief of the NRO’s 

“Special Staff,” Col Eash led the development of new, highly-sensitive NRO missions for 

both aircraft and satellite systems. His career in national reconnaissance spanned from 

1959 to 1987. 

Dr. Michael N. Parker pioneered tracking and geolocation techniques based on 

precision signal externals measurements. In the 1970s, he developed missile-tracking 
techniques that directly supported arms limitation treaty negotiations. He demonstrated 

the first time difference of arrival/frequency difference of arrival geolocation capability 

from space, a technology at the heart of signals intelligence. His career in national 

reconnaissance spans from 1968 to the present.

Dr. John W. Shipley pioneered the concept development, architectural approach, and 

initial system definition that led to the successful development of a revolutionary NRO 

collection asset. His unique beam-forming design led to proven on-orbit performance 

and critical collections that have exceeded expectations. His career in national 

reconnaissance spans from 1983 to the present.

Mr. Richard Van Wagoner pioneered antenna and system design, and the evaluation of 

system performance critical to the successful execution of the NRO Signals Intelligence 

(SIGINT) mission. His ground-breaking development of innovative technology has 

resulted in the high-quality SIGINT collection now available to the Intelligence 

Community and Department of Defense. His career in national reconnaissance spans 

from 1979 to the present.

These pioneers performed critical work toward establishing the NRO’s reputation for 

engineering excellence, responsiveness, and technical innovation. Building upon their 

foundation, today’s NRO strives to provide a valuable global perspective to meet user 

needs and requirements. With the addition of these five honorees, a total of 85 pioneers 

have been selected over the past 11 years. Designation as a Pioneer of National 

Reconnaissance is the highest honor in the field. Commemorative plaques for each of the 

Pioneers are on permanent display in NRO’s Pioneer Hall at NRO headquarters.

-NRO-