TEST PILOT A FINALIST FOR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM SENDS PROMISING LEADERS TO D.C.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - An Edwards test pilot is a finalist for the White House Fellowship program, a program that puts future leaders into jobs with senior Cabinet and White House staff.

Lt. Col. William Thornton, commander of the 416th Flight Test Squadron, was named among the 105 finalists for the program.

Every year, between 11 and 19 fellows are selected to serve for one year as full-time, paid assistants to members of the Cabinet and senior White House staff. In return for the privilege of participating in the fellowship year, the fellows are expected to apply what they have learned by contributing to the nation as future leaders, according to program officials.

The program draws as many as 1,000 applicants each year.

``It's a tremendous honor to be considered for this program,'' Thornton said. ``It is simply the best government immersion program in the country, and I would encourage anyone interested in serving their country to look at this program.''

Thornton, who has been selected for promotion to colonel, leads a test squadron of about 700 people. The 416th Flight Test Squadron tests F-15 and F-16 fighters.

Thornton has more than 3,000 hours of flying time in more than 35 different aircraft.

Thornton's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Medal.

Thornton's career includes flying 41 combat missions in northern Iraq in support of Operation Provide Comfort, a humanitarian relief effort for Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq.

This year's White House Fellowship regional finalists represent a number of professions, including education, technology, law enforcement, nonprofit, health care, law and others.

Each branch of the military is represented among the regional finalists as well, according to program officials.

The mission of the nonpartisan White House Fellowship program, as established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, is to give the fellows first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the federal government and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs.

Selection as a White House Fellow is based on professional achievement early in a career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the federal government.

Past participants include Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and U.S. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark.