Commander Paul A. Sohl, USN
CDR Sohl was born in Waterloo, Iowa and graduated from Rock Island
High School, Rock Island, Illinois in May 1981. After graduating from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June 1985 with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering, he continued his education at
Stanford University—receiving a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical
and Astronautical Engineering in June 1986.
After commissioning through the Navy ROTC program, CDR Sohl attended
flight training in Pensacola, Florida and Beeville, Texas—earning his Wings
in August 1988. Later that year he reported to VFA-125 in Lemoore,
California for training in the F/A-18 Hornet, with a subsequent assignment
to the Stingers of VFA-113. While in VFA-113, he deployed to the Western
Pacific on the USS Independence during Operation Desert Shield.
In the summer of 1992, CDR Sohl was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test
Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland. Upon graduation with USNTPS
Class 104 in 1993, he reported to the F/A-18 Weapons Test Squadron, China
Lake, California, working on numerous F/A-18C Operational Flight
Program upgrade projects. While on this assignment, CDR Sohl was
selected as an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO). He was also
selected as “Test Pilot of the Year” for the Naval Air Warfare Center
Weapons Division in 1995.
His first assignment as an AEDO was to the Naval Aviation Depot, North
Island, California, working as the Deputy Program Manager for the F/A-18
program. In August 1998 he reported to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
Program Office in Crystal City, Virginia—first as the Executive Assistant to
the Director, then as a member of the JSF Source Selection Team. He
reported aboard the US Naval Test Pilot School as Executive Officer in
August 2001.
CDR Sohl has logged over 2700 flight hours in over 30 types of aircraft.
His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the
Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.
CDR Sohl is married to the former Kathryn Brown of Riverdale, California,
and they have two and ? children: four-year old Luke, two-year old Erin,
and a daughter to be born around September 18, 2003.