Timothy J. Edens
Timothy James Edens (born December 23, 1958)[8][9] is a retired United States Army Brigadier General and US Army combat Master Aviator, who commanded the 4th Brigade Avn, 1st Infantry Division and 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, both while deployed to Iraq. He later served as director of Army Safety and commanding general, USACR/Safety Center.[10][11]
Timothy J. Edens | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 23, 1958 Oregon, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1981–2014[1][2] |
| Rank | Brigadier General[3] |
| Commands held | 4th BDE 1st Infantry Division 12th Combat Aviation Brigade[4] United States Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center[5] |
| Battles/wars | Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (2)[1] Bronze Star[1] DMSM[1] MSM (4) Air Medal[1] Order of St. Michael (Gold)[6][7] |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy United States Army War College |
| Spouse(s) | Leslie J. Brassard |
Early life and education
Born in Oregon and raised in Idaho,[8][9] Edens graduated from Fruitland High School in 1977 and was accepted to the United States Military Academy's class of 1981.[12] While attending West Point, Edens participated in Glee Club, Rugby, and Sprint football.[13] He graduated from West Point in 1981 with a bachelors degree in engineering with a concentration in political science and national security.[2] Edens graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1995. He later earned a master's degree from the Army War College in 2003.[14]
Military career
Upon graduation from West Point, Edens was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Army.[2] He became an Army helicopter pilot, and later was an instructor pilot at the Fort Rucker Apache Course.[15] As a major, Edens served as the Regimental Operations and Training Officer for the 4th squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Wainwright, Alaska.[16] In August 2006, Colonel Edens took command of the newly restructured 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. He commanded the 12th CAB as Task Force XII while the brigade was deployed to Balad Air Base and Camp Taji, Iraq.[17][18][19] Upon his return, Colonel Edens was award the Legion of Merit by Army General Carter Ham for his successful leadership of Task Force XII in OIF 07-09.[20] Following his assignment commanding 12th CAB, Edens became the Deputy Commanding General for Support, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.[21] Edens was promoted to brigadier general by Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield in March 2011,[22] and thereafter served as assistant division commander for support and the senior ranking aviator of the division.[23] General Edens subsequently was assigned as Deputy Commander of the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker.[24][2] His final assignment with the US Army was as commander of the United States Army Combat Readiness Center.[25][21]
While in command of the USACRC, he started several safety initiatives seemingly resulting in a downward trend in reported accidents Army-wide.[26] Edens was also openly critical of military budget cuts in and how it could potentially effect the safety of soldiers.[27]
At his retirement ceremony, he was awarded the Order of St. Michael Gold Award for serving the Army Aviation community with distinction.[6][7]
Post-retirement
After retiring from the military, Edens worked for AECOM and subsequently Amentum in Daleville, Alabama as Director of Aviation Operations and Readiness.[28] He is also secretary of the Army Aviation Association of America.[29]
Decorations and badges
| Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster)[20] | |
| Bronze Star Medal | |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal | |
| Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters) | |
| Air Medal | |
| Joint Service Commendation Medal | |
| Army Commendation Medal (with three oak leaf clusters) | |
| Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf clusters) | |
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with two oak leaf clusters) | |
| National Defense Service Medal (with two bronze service stars) | |
| Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with service star) | |
| Iraq Campaign Medal (with service star) | |
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | |
| Army Service Ribbon | |
| Overseas Service Ribbon (with bronze award numeral 5) | |
| Combat Action Badge | |
| Army Master Aviator Badge | |
| Air Assault Badge | |
| Basic Parachutist Badge (United States) | |
| 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Combat Service Identification Badge |
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.
- ^ a b c d e f Stripling, Jenny (September 3, 2010). "Fort Rucker gains new star, deputy commander". US Army. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Boehringer, Alexa. "U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center welcomes new commander". southeastsun.com. The Southeast Sun. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ "USAACE deputy earns 1st star". army.mil. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. concedes helicopter missiles kill civilians". The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware). May 24, 2008. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pfau, Nathan (June 28, 2012). "Edens takes reins of USACR/Safety Center". Army Flier. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Center Welcomes New Commander" (PDF). Vol. 64, no. 34. Army Flyer. US Army. August 28, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AWARD". Army Aviation Association of America. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1989. p. 889. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ a b Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates U.S.M.A. 1991. p. 785. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ Phillips, Greg (December 18, 2017). "Retired brigadier general to Troy graduates Character still matters". today.troy.edu. Troy University. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ Timothy J. Edens; U.S. Army Aviation School (1988). United States Army Aviation Digest. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 32. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- ^ Poma Terra 1977. Fruitland High School. 1977. p. 5. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ Howitzer Yearbook. West Point. 1981. p. 485. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ "Service News". Argus Observer. Ontario, Oregon. September 29, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ Rosencrans, Aaron. "Soldier fights battles from above". Multi-National Division - Baghdad. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
Courtesy Story
- ^ Hinkel, Thomas N; Edens, Timothy J; Watson, Raymond L (January–February 1995). "Making It Happen - Operations with Nonmodernized Aircraft". United States Army Aviation Digest. Department of the Army (January/February 1995): 34 – via archive.org.
- ^ Londoño, Ernesto (May 23, 2008). "In Iraq, a Surge in U.S. Airstrikes". Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ Little, Brandon. "Task Force XII hands control to Task Force 49, begins new mission". Army.mil. Army. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Hughes, Jim. "12th CAB Soldiers return home after 'magnificent' performance in Iraq". Army.mil. Army. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ a b McNair, Sonja (January 28, 2009). "Griffins welcome new leader". Bavarian News. No. Vol. 5 Nr. 2. U.S. Army Garrison-Grafenwoehr Public Affairs Office. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Cruz, Brandy. "Wolf bids farewell to Safety Center and the Army during ceremony". southeastsun.com. The Southeast Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ "Executive nominations received by the Senate". Congressional Record (Bound Edition). U.S. Government Publishing Office. 156 (2010), Part 11: 16031–16033. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- ^ Jon Rabiroff, "Army helicopter pilot hits flying milestone", Honolulu Star-Advertiser (May 11, 2012), p. S-12.
- ^ "Center welcomes new commander: Farnsworth assumes command from Edens". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Art (May 22, 2014). "Practice what you preach". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Shelley, Julie (April 11, 2013). "Army releases second quarter data; downward trend continues". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Brig. Gen. Edens said military cuts would affect Safety Center civilians". Dothan Eagle. Dothan, Alabama. February 24, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Tim Edens Profile - The International Alumni Association". www.thealumniassociation.com. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ "AAAA National Executive Board". www.quad-a.org. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ Shelley, Julie. "Army releases fourth quarter accident data". army.mil. US Army. Retrieved September 16, 2021.