Douglas H. Wheelock
Douglas Harry "Wheels" Wheelock (born May 5, 1960) is an American astronaut. He has flown in space twice, logging 178 days on the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Russian Soyuz. On July 12, 2011, Wheelock announced that he would be returning to active duty with the United States Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Early life and education
Douglas Wheelock was born in Binghamton, New York to Olin and Margaret Wheelock. In a pre-flight interview, Wheelock stated that he was inspired to become an astronaut at an early age. He also stated that a major turning point in his life was the Apollo 11 moon landing in July 1969. In 1978 Wheelock graduated from Windsor Central High School in Windsor, New York before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Military career
Wheelock spent four years as a cadet at West Point, graduating in the class of 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science and Engineering. After graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army's Infantry Branch and entered flight school the next year. In September 1984, then Lieutenant Wheelock graduated at the top of his flight class and was designated an Army Aviator. He subsequently served in the Pacific as a combat aviation Section Leader, Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Operations Officer, and Commander of an Air Cavalry Troop in the 9th Cavalry. He was later assigned to the Aviation Directorate of Combat Developments as an Advanced Weapons Research and Development Engineer.