AFA Awards Founders of General Atomics for Industrial Leadership

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 12, 2023 — The Air & Space Forces Association presented the founders of General Atomics, Neal and Linden Blue, with the John R. Alison Award at the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference in recognition for the most outstanding contribution by industrial leadership to national defense. The award was jointly presented by AFA Chair Bernie Skoch, Dean of the Mitchell Institute David Deptula, and Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. The annual award is named for Maj. Gen. John R. Alison, the famed “All-American Airman” and former AFA National President and Chairman of the Board.

Neal Blue, General Atomics’ Chairman and CEO, and Linden Blue, General Atomics’ Vice have transformed what it means to fly and fight. Their visionary efforts to predict, imagine, and shape the battlefield of the future manifested itself most prominently in the field of sensor-to-shooter UAVs. They led their business to develop and evolve the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, which have been part of every single major combat action undertaken since 2001. The Blues are a leading voice in the Air Force’s quest to innovate the future of UAVs through programs like the Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Congratulations, Neal and Linden Blue!