James P. McCarthy

This individual is a former member of the National Space-Based PNT Advisory Board. The following information has not been updated since his/her service ended.

James McCarthy McCarthy is the ARDI Professor of National Security at the United States Air Force Academy. He has taught advanced courses in public policy, decision-making, and contemporary political issues in the Department of Political Science. He is the Director of the Institute for Information Technology Applications at the academy. He is engaged in research on information technology applications, their role in combat operations, and the design of educational Web formats.

During his 35-year military career, McCarthy held a number of operational command positions including a fighter squadron in Vietnam; two bomber wings; Eighth Air Force; and was Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command. While in Da Nang, Vietnam, he commanded the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron and flew 152 combat missions. He served a number of assignments in the Pentagon, including the Director of Legislative Liaison. He retired from the Air Force as a general.

McCarthy chairs the Task Force on Operation Enduring Freedom Lessons Learned in Afghanistan and Iraq, and previously chaired Task Forces on Lessons Learned for Kosovo and Bosnia. He also chaired the study on transformation of the military for the Department of Defense. He is a member of the Defense Science Board, and formerly served on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board.

He was a member the National Defense Panel created by Congress to assess the 1996 Quadrennial Review, and also served on the Defense Policy Board advising the Secretary of Defense. He serves on the boards of a number of business, professional, educational, and non-profit organizations.