Board Member
Rear Admiral James “Mac” Gleim, USN (Retired) was raised in a farming community in central Nebraska. He graduated from Norfolk Junior College in 1953 and entered the United States Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) in January of 1954. He graduated from flight training, received Navy Wings and was commissioned as an Ensign in June of 1955 at NAAS Kingsville, Texas, where he flew the Lockheed TV-2 Shooting Star.
In July 1955 he reported to his first fleet squadron VF (fighter)-34 flying the McDonnell F2H Banshee at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. In 1956, the squadron was redesignated VA (attack) -34 and transitioned to the Vought F7U Cutlass, and later in 1957 to the Douglas A4A Skyhawk.
Over the next several years Mac served and flew with carrier (CV) battle groups in the Caribbean, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Western Pacific waters. He flew over 100 (A7 Corsair II) combat sorties as a light-attack aviator in Vietnam and accumulated over 4800 single seat jet hours (600 carrier landings including 150 at night) operating from 11 carriers during his Navy flying career. Mac commanded two light attack squadrons (VA-82 & VA-125) in the rank of Commander, and the Navy’s newest air station, NAS Lemoore as a Captain during the fleet introduction of the FA-18 Hornet weapons system.
When not at sea Gleim earned a subspecialty designation in Manpower, Personnel and Training (MP&T) and served in associated billets in the Washington D. C. area. Additionally he received a bachelor of arts degree from the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1967 and graduated from the prestigious National War College in 1974. Other formal academic endeavors included Naval Aviation Safety Officer and General Line Schools.
In 1982 he was promoted to Rear Admiral, one of a small group of ex-NAVCADS ever selected for Flag Rank. He also served with distinction as the first Director of Plans, Policy and Programs (J5) for the United States Central Command and was awarded the nation’s highest peacetime award, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, at the end of his tour.
RADM Gleim retired from the U. S. Navy in 1987 and worked as Director of Operations for AZI Corporation, Regional Manager for RCI Corporation, and Senior Program Manager for TSM Corporation until he retired again in 1996. He has also worked as a Joint Warfare and Training Management consultant for various commercial companies supporting the Department of Defense.
Mac and his wife, Nancy moved to the the Central Coast in 1993 and have three grown daughters, Stacie, Julie and Jodi, and one grandson. Two daughters live in the local area.
He is an active member of the Tailhook Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the California Pilots Association. Additionally he serves on the San Luis Obispo County Airport Land Use Commission.
Mac presently owns and operates a RV-6A experimental aircraft which he helped build. He and Nancy fly this aircraft through out the U. S. on business, for pleasure and to visit family and friends. He also flys #4 position with the renowned EWM flight demonstration team.
Additionally Mac has worked on a range of issues/projects in support of the Paso Robles airport including, but not limited to the Airport Land Use Plan and Airport Master Plan. He also assists aircraft owners obtain hangar space, serves as a hangar consultant and manages hangars for local and out of area hangar owners.
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