John E. Krings served as an international consultant on modernization, evaluation, and introduction of new technologies. President Reagan appointed Mr. Krings as the first Undersecretary of Defense. Prior to this post, Mr. Krings served in various capacities including Director of Operational Test and Evaluation of the U.S. Department of Defense, Director of Navy and Marine Corps programs for McDonnell Douglas, Director of Flight Operations and Chief Test Pilot for F-15 and F-18 programs. He undertook the maiden flight of the first F-18A Hornet at Lambert Field, St Louis on November 18, 1978. He has also been a consultant to Lockheed Martin on the company’s $200 billion Joint Tactical Fighter program. Mr. Krings was also a U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard pilot.
