ENGR. CHARLES “CHUCK” CASTRO

MOST OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS
IN THE FIELD OF MILITARY SERVICE
AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Engr. Charles “Chuck” Castro is the current Executive Director of NaFFAA Region 3, Midwest States (U.S.A.). He was the founder of the Asian-American Pacific Islander organization based in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; a founder of the Asian-American Council at Wright State University and co-founder of the former Filipino American Association of Greater Dayton. A former Vice President of International Toastmasters, Beacon Chapter of Dayton and held memberships in various prestigious organizations. Lately, he had served in the State of Ohio Advisory Council on Asian Policy and as adviser and consultant to Ohio State Governor Ted Strickland.

Chuck earned his Liberal Arts degree in St. Paul College and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at FEATI University. Chuck served with the Philippines Armed Forces as an Army Company Commander with the First Engineer Combat Battalion and a short assignment with the Philippine Army Special Forces. Graduating from the Philippines Air Force Flying School in 1971, he piloted several aircraft and saw action as a combat pilot. He joined the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1978. There, he served in various flight crew capacities and from 1998 to 2003, as Chief System Engineer and Program Manager in which he accurately evaluated all contractor proposals, as well as other vital tasks. He was also involved in the integration of avionics systems including the Global Positioning System (GPS) into a production configuration of the F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighter aircraft.

Chuck retired on November 3, 2007 with honors from the U.S. Department of Defense, the United States Air Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.