Capt. Craig Bomben is an engineering project pilot for The Boeing Company. In this position, Bomben is responsible for is responsible for conducting production and engineering flight tests on the 737, 747, 777 and on ZA004, the third 787 airplane to enter flight test. Bomben joined Boeing in 2006, as a production flight test pilot.
Prior to joining Boeing, Bomben was part of the flight crew branch of NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as a research test pilot. His assignments included a variety of research and support activities while piloting the F/A-18, F-15B, T-38, DC-8, T-34C and King Air aircraft. At this time he also joined the Naval Reserves and was assigned the Operations Officer of Joint Forces Air Component Commander, San Diego. During this tour he fulfilled the position of Senior Offensive Duty Officer within the Combined Air Operations Center, Al Udeid in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 1998 Bomben was selected to participate in the Canadian Personnel Exchange Program and was based in Cold Lake, Alberta. He conducted developmental and operational flight tests on the CT-133 and CF-188 aircraft. In 1995, Bomben joined the VFA-136 Knighthawks as a Strike-Fighter Department Head and completed two overseas deployments, where he led numerous multi-national missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 1993 Bomben was transferred to the Naval Air Weapons Center Aircraft Division at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif., where he conducted Developmental Flight Test on the F14D and FA-18 Aircraft. In 1989 Bomben joined the Fleet as a Strike Fighter Pilot with the VFA-137 Kestrels onboard the USS Forrestal. He deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and conducted numerous combat operations in support of the allied forces.
Bomben graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1985. Soon after graduation he attended Naval Aviation Officer Training School where he began his Navy career. He graduated from Naval Flight training in 1987 and graduated from the Naval Test Pilot School in 1992.