Historical Society Luncheon Lecture | AJ Hemphill | Sept 10, 2026

Luncheon Lecture
Sept 10, 2026 11:00 AM

AJ Hemphill Presents
From Topsail’s Missile Defense Past to Today’s Aegis System

Luncheon Lecture

Biography of Mr. Albert D. Hemphill Jr. (“AJ”)

The story is a fascinating “Topsail to Aegis” connection. Operation Bumblebee, conducted on Topsail Island beginning in 1947, developed Navy surface-to-air missile technology for Fleet Air Defense. Although the testing eventually moved to China Lake, the research and engineering continued to evolve.

That progression ultimately led to AEGIS, first designed for fleet air defense and later adapted to intercept ballistic missiles. Today, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense uses sophisticated radar, computers, and SM-3 interceptors to destroy ballistic missiles in flight.

Mr. Hemphill is a retired member of the U.S. Government Senior Executive Service (SES-3), equivalent to a Major General/Rear Admiral. He now serves as a Technical Adviser and Digital Engineering consultant to several defense industry companies.

AJ has enjoyed a distinguished engineering career, contributing to the original Strategic Defense Initiative, known as the “Star Wars” program, and to U.S. Integrated Air and Missile Defense. He spent much of his career in research, development, testing, and evaluation with the U.S. Air Force in both military and civilian roles.

He is a graduate of George Mason University with a B.S. in Engineering and completed graduate studies in Systems Engineering and Integration, Aerospace Studies, Material Acquisition, and Executive Leadership through several military and academic institutions, including Air War College and Harvard University.

His awards include the Air Force and DoD Meritorious Service Medals, National Defense Medal, and National Defense Industrial Association Gold Medal.

AJ and his wife, Patty Lensis Hemphill, reside in Surf City, NC. His family has owned property on Topsail Island since 1965.

Register by Monday September 7th 8:00pm and read more on the HSTI Website!

Save the date, September 10, 2026