Event Archive

Captain Lawrence Burt graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 and earned his wings in Beeville, TX in 1983.  After completing    F/A-18 Hornet training, he became a plank owner in the newly commissioned VFA-136 Knighthawks and deployed to the Mediterranean onboard the USS CORAL SEA.  His next assignment was as a FRS instructor with VFA-125 in Lemoore, CA.  Following instructor duty, he reported to the VFA-146 Blue Diamonds as a Department Head and made two deployments to the Arabian Gulf onboard USS NIMITZ in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW).

Captain Burt returned to shore duty as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Weapons School, Pacific in Lemoore, CA.  Following this command tour, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI and in June 1997 received a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Captain Burt’s next assignment was as the Executive Officer of VFA-137.  He assumed Command of the Krestels in February 1999 and deployed as part of CVW-2 on board the USS CONSTELLATION to the Arabian Gulf in support of OSW.  Following his Command tour, Captain Burt reported to Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group ONE in June 2000 on board USS CONSTELLATION as the Air Operations Officer and deployed once again to the Arabian Gulf.

In June 2002, Captain Burt reported to Commander Joint Task Force Southwest Asia as the Deputy Director of Operations where he supported both Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and SOUTHERN WATCH.  In February 2003 he reported to CTF-50 onboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN located in the Arabian Gulf as the Strike Warfare Officer.  He was responsible for the coordinated effort of three Carrier Battle Groups in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  In April 2003, Captain Burt reported to CVW-2 as the Deputy Air Wing Commander onboard the USS CONSTELLATION deployed in the Arabian Gulf.  He took Command of CVW-2 in Oct 2004 and deployed with the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group.  While on this deployment the Lincoln Strike Group was the first to arrive and provide humanitarian relief to the people of Indonesia following the tsunami that hit in December 2004.

Following Air Wing command, Captain Burt reported to OSD in June 2006 as the Military Assistant to Sec John Young in OSD AT&L.  Following that tour he reported to OPNAV N88 in June 2008 where he leads the Strike Aircraft Plans and Requirements section.  He is responsible for the requirements and resourcing of all carrier based aircraft and weapons.

Captain Burt has accumulated over 4700 flight hours and 950 arrested landings.  His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal with V, Air Medal Strike/Flight (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards, two with V), Navy Achievement Medal (three Awards) and numerous campaign and unit awards.  Captain Burt, his wife Maureen and their son Samuel reside in Annapolis, MD.

Dr. Ashton B. Carter was sworn in as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on April 27, 2009. 

Before assuming this position, Dr. Carter was chair of the International and Global Affairs faculty at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Co-Director (with former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry) of the Preventive Defense Project, a research collaboration of Harvard and Stanford Universities. Dr. Carter was also Senior Partner at Global Technology Partners and a member of the Board of Trustees of the MITRE Corporation and the Advisory Boards of MIT’s Lincoln Laboratories and the Draper Laboratory. He was a consultant to Goldman, Sachs on international affairs and technology matters. He was a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Physical Society, the International Institute of Strategic Studies, the Advisory Board of the Yale Journal of International Law, and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. Dr. Carter was also Co-Chair of the Review Panel on Future Directions for DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) Missions and Capabilities to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, Chair of the National Security Strategy and Policies Expert Working Group of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, a member of the National Missile Defense White Team, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on International Security and Arms Control.

Dr. Carter served as a member of the Defense Science Board from 1991-1993 and 1997-2001, the Defense Policy Board from 1997-2001, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s International Security Advisory Board from 2006-2008. In 1997, Dr. Carter co-chaired the Catastrophic Terrorism Study Group with former CIA Director John M. Deutch, which urged greater attention to terrorism. From 1998 to 2000, he was deputy to William J. Perry in the North Korea Policy Review and traveled with him to Pyongyang. In 2001-2002, he served on the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Science and Technology for Countering Terrorism and advised on the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. Carter was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy during President Clinton’s first term. His Pentagon responsibilities encompassed: countering weapons of mass destruction worldwide, oversight of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and missile defense programs, the 1994 Nuclear Posture Review, the Counter proliferation Initiative, control over sensitive U.S. exports, chairmanship of NATO’s High Level Group, the Nunn-Lugar program resulting in the removal of all nuclear weapons from the territories of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, establishment of defense and intelligence relationships with the countries of the former Soviet Union when the Cold War ended, and participation in the negotiations that led to the deployment of Russian troops as part of the Bosnia Peace Plan Implementation Force.

Dr. Carter was twice awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal. For his contributions to intelligence, he was awarded the Defense Intelligence Medal. In 1987, Dr. Carter was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Jaycees.  He received the American Physical Society's Forum Award for his contributions to physics and public policy. Dr. Carter was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Diplomacy.
           
From 1990-1993, Dr. Carter was Director of the Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and Chairman of the Editorial Board of International Security. Previously, he held positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and Rockefeller University.

Dr. Carter received bachelor's degrees in physics and in medieval history from Yale University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He received his doctorate in theoretical physics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

n addition to authoring numerous articles, scientific publications, government studies, and Congressional testimonies, Dr. Carter co-edited and co-authored eleven books, including Keeping the Edge: Managing Defense for the Future (2001), Preventive Defense: A New Security Strategy for America (1997), Cooperative Denuclearization: From Pledges to Deeds (1993), A New Concept of Cooperative Security (1992), Beyond Spinoff: Military and Commercial Technologies in a Changing World (1992), Soviet Nuclear Fission: Control of the Nuclear Arsenal in a Disintegrating Soviet Union (1991), Managing Nuclear Operations (1987), Ballistic Missile Defense (1984), and Directed Energy Missile Defense in Space (1984).

Captain Mark W. Darrah, a native of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, entered the Aviation Officer Candidate Program in Pensacola, Florida, receiving his commission in October 1982 then entered the Naval Flight Officer training program, receiving his
“Wings of Gold” in October 1983. Captain Darrah had operational fleet tours with VAQ-137, VAQ-140, VAQ-136, and CVW-5 Strike Operations.  He served as the Commanding Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 142 from January 2001 to May 2002.  Under his leadership the “Gray Wolves” completed two successful combat deployments to Southwest Asia supporting Operations NORTHERN and SOUTHERN WATCH and were awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Annual Safety “S” for CY-2001. Ashore Captain Darrah was assigned to VAQ-129 as an instructor; Aide to the Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command; Advanced Education Program at George Mason University; Information Operations Planning Officer/Liaison to Joint Special Operations Command; NAVAIR/PMA-234 Advanced Systems Integrated Program Team Lead. Captain Darrah served as the first PMA-265 EA-18G Deputy Program Manager when the program office was established January 2003.  During his tenure the EA-18G program received the 2004 Association of Old Crow’s Integrated Program Team Award and 2004 OSD(AT&L) Packard Award Certificate of Achievement.  He was also recognized with the 2004 Admiral Perry Award and 2004 Association of Old Crow’s Metropolitan Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award.  Captain Darrah’s last assignment was as Commanding Officer, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai.  PMRF is the DoD’s largest instrumented training and testing range supporting U.S. Pacific Fleet Units, our Foreign Military partners, and the Missile Defense Agency.  Captain Darrah assumed command of the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program, PMA265, on 26 July 2007. Captain Darrah has been awarded the Legion of Merit (2 Awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (4 Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation Medal (4 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 Awards) and various other Unit Awards.

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula is Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for policy formulation, planning, evaluation, oversight, and leadership of Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. As the Air Force's Senior Official of the Intelligence Community he is directly responsible to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence.

General Deptula completed ROTC at the University of Virginia as a distinguished graduate in 1974, and remained to complete a master's degree in 1976. Earning his wings in 1977, he has flown more than 3,000 hours (400 in combat) to include multiple operational fighter command assignments. He has taken part in operations, planning, and joint warfighting at unit, major command, service headquarters and combatant command levels. He has served on two congressional commissions charged with outlining America's future defense posture -- the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces, and the National Defense Panel. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as Commander of the General George C. Kenney Warfighting Headquarters, and Vice Commander, Pacific Air Forces.

General Deptula has significant experience in combat and leadership in several major joint contingency operations. He was the principal attack planner for the Desert Storm coalition air campaign in 1991. He has twice been a Joint Task Force Commander - in 1998/1999 for Operation Northern Watch during a period of renewed Iraqi aggression where he flew 82 combat missions, and for Operation Deep Freeze, supporting forces in Antarctica. In 2001, the general served as Director of the Combined Air Operations Center for Operation Enduring Freedom, where he orchestrated air operations over Afghanistan during the period of decisive combat. In 2005, he was the Joint Force Air Component Commander for Operation Unified Assistance, the South Asia tsunami relief effort, and in 2006 he was the standing Joint Force Air Component Commander for Pacific Command.

Capt. Bob Dishman leads initiatives that support the Navy's strategy for persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as program manager for Naval Air Systems Command's Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office (PMA-262), Patuxent River, Md. He is responsible for the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), along with the BAMS-Demonstrator currently deployed in support of U. S. Central Command combat operations in the Arabian Gulf. He also oversees the Navy's airspace integration efforts across all groups of unmanned aircraft systems. Capt. Dishman is contributing to the future of Naval aviation from a firm foundation based on his 4,000 flight hours conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions, completing P-3 operational assignments, flying missions during Operation Desert Storm and participating in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His experience behind the controls of more than 20 different aircraft, coupled with acquisition program management tours, advances the development of BAMS, the Navy's largest UAS, and its integration into the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force. In addition to receiving two Meritorious Service Medals, Capt. Dishman has been recognized with two Air Medals with Combat Distinguishing Device, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and numerous unit citations.
Capt. Dishman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School.

Michèle Flournoy was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy on February 9, 2009.  She serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters on the formulation of national security and defense policy and the integration and oversight of DoD policy and plans to achieve national security objectives.

Prior to her confirmation, Ms. Flournoy was appointed President of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) in January 2007.  Before co-founding CNAS, she was a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where she worked on a broad range of defense policy and international security issues.

Ms. Flournoy previously served as a distinguished research professor at the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University (NDU), where she founded and led the university’s Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) working group, which was chartered by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop intellectual capital in preparation for the Department of Defense’s 2001 QDR.

Prior to joining NDU, Ms. Flournoy was dual-hatted as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Threat Reduction and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy.  In that capacity, she oversaw three Policy offices in the Office of the Secretary of Defense: Strategy; Requirements, Plans and Counterproliferation; and Russia, Ukraine and Eurasian Affairs.

Ms. Flournoy was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in 1996, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1998 and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2000.  She is a former member of the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science Board Task Force on Transformation.

Ms. Flournoy earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Harvard University and a master’s degree in international relations from Balliol College, Oxford University, where she was a Newton-Tatum scholar.

As Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Robert F. Hale is the principal advisor to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on all budgetary and fiscal matters, including the development and execution of the Defense Department’s annual budget of more than $600 billion. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Hale also oversees the Department’s financial policy, financial management systems, and business modernization efforts.

At the time of his nomination by President Barack Obama in January 2009, Robert Hale was Executive Director of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC), the professional association of Defense financial managers. For three-and-a-half years, he led the society's certification program (the Certified Defense Financial Manager program), as well as training programs, a professional journal, and other activities, including ASMC's National Professional Development Institute, an annual conference which attracts more than 3,500 participants. From 1994 to 2001, Mr. Hale served in the Pentagon as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management and Comptroller), where he was responsible for annual budgets of more than $70 billion, efforts to streamline Air Force financial management, and compliance with the Chief Financial Officers Act.

For the 12 years prior to his Air Force service, Mr. Hale headed the National Security Division at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), developing quantitative analyses of major defense budget issues and testifying frequently before Congressional committees.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Hale was a senior fellow and head of the acquisition and grants management group at LMI, a consulting firm specializing in service to the Federal government. He also spent three years as an active duty officer in the U.S. Navy and served as a staff analyst and study director at the Center for Naval Analyses.

Mr. Hale graduated with honors from Stanford University with a B.S. in mathematics and statistics. He also holds a Master’s degree in operations research from Stanford and an MBA from the George Washington University. He is a Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and a past member of the Defense Business Board

Since April 2009, MajGen has been assigned as the Program Executive Officer (PEO), F-35 Lightning II Program, Arlington VA. He had previously served as the Deputy PEO since June 2006. MajGen Heinz was born and spent his formative years in Salt Lake City, Utah and his high school years in the small mining community of Bagdad, Arizona. The third of five children to Kenneth and Patricia Heinz, he received an appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy and graduated with a BS in Systems Engineering in 1978. Following Basic School, Flight School and A-6E Replacement Aircrew (RAC) training, he reported to VMA(AW)-332 still wearing 2nd Lt bars from 1980 to 1987, he completed four operational tours including two instructor tours and one ground tour as a platoon commander and Communications Company XO before being selected for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. After graduating with distinction in Jun 1988, he served at the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate in the F/A-18 shop performing Lot 11 software integration test, Night Attack testing, Tomahawk Operational test and a variety of avionics tests for the A-6E and F/RF-4. He returned to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School as a systems avionics instructor from Jun 1989 to Jun 1991. During this time, MajGen Heinz was nominated by the Marine Corps as an Astronaut candidate. MajGen Heinz then reported to 1st Marine Regiment in Camp Pendleton where he served as the Regimental Air Officer from Jun 1991 to Aug 1992 and then completed F/A-18 transition training and was assigned to VMFA(AW)-224 as the Admin and Operations Officer during subsequent deployments for Operation Deny Flight from Apr 1993 to Dec 1995. He was then assigned to the F/A-18 Program Office (PMA-265) at NAVAIR as the Advanced Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance System (ATARS) IPT lead until Jul 1997. Following this acquisition tour, he completed top level school at the Naval Warfare College, Newport, RI. In Jul 1998, he was assigned as the Deputy Department Head for the Aviation Weapons Systems Requirements Branch (APW) at Headquarters, Marine Corps. After completing of the Advanced Program Managers Course in April 2001, MajGen Heinz served as the Principal Deputy Program Manager for C-130s at the Support/Commercial Derivative Aircraft Program Office (PMA-207) where he oversaw the introduction of the KC-130J aircraft. In October 2002, BGen Heinz was assigned as the Program Manager for the AV-8B Harrier program, PMA-257, Naval Aviation Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. In June 2005, MajGen Heinz was assigned as the Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon.BGen Heinz has completed a Master of Science degree in Computer Science with a subspecialty in Artificial Intelligence from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval Warfare College. MajGen Heinz decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Air Medal with bronze numeral 4, Navy Commendation Medal with 3 Gold Stars and the Navy Achievement Medal. He has flown over 3000 flight hours in 22 T/M/S aircraft.

Captain Sandra M. Jamshidi became the Director of the Defense-wide Information Assurance Program (DIAP) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration, Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (OASD NII / DoD CIO) in September 2008.  With significant responsibilities for ensuring DoD’s vital information resources are secured and protected, she leads a team of highly qualified, IA experts supporting the Deputy Assistant Security of Defense for Cyber, Identity, and Information Assurance (DASD CIIA).  The DIAP unifies and synchronizes IA activities to secure Net-Centric GIG operations enablement and information superiority by applying a Defense in Breadth methodology integrating the capabilities of people, operations, and technology to establish multi-layer, multi-dimension protection. From Rome, Georgia, Captain Jamshidi is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School.  She has enlisted experience in the Navy and also served as a Surface Warfare Officer prior to transitioning to the Information Professional Community.   She has served in key leadership roles afloat and ashore specializing in Communications, Computers, and Command and Control, and Intelligence (C4I) Systems.  She has a broad experience in the Pacific including assignments in Hawaii, San Diego and Monterey CA, South Korea, and Japan. Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with three stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with one star, and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Brig. Gen. Richard C. Johnston is the Director, Strategic Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for directing the development and implementation of Air Force long-range strategic planning, as well as providing associated policy guidance.

General Johnston was commissioned through Officer Training School. He has commanded the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.; two expeditionary air refueling squadrons; the 317th Airlift Group, Dyess AFB, Texas; the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing; the 86th Airlift Wing and the Kaiserslautern Military Community -- the largest community of Americans outside the United States, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The general has deployed in support of operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

His staff assignments include Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Air Mobility Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Transportation Command. Prior to his current assignment, he was Director, Plans, Programs and Analyses, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He also served as the Chairman, Strategic Airlift Capability C-17 Program, responsible for executive oversight to acquire, manage, support, and operate the 12-nation consortium that included the multi-national Heavy Airlift Wing in Papa, Hungary. General Johnston is a command pilot with more than 4,300 flying hours in the C-130E/H, C-21, C-40, C-37, KC-10A and WC-130E/H aircraft.

Mitch Kugler is vice president of Corporate Strategy for Raytheon Company. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Kugler is responsible for working with Raytheon's businesses to formulate the company's strategy, enhance its execution, ensure that it is integrated operationally, conduct capability assessments and gap analysis, and lead enterprise campaigns. As Strategy lead, he works with the corporate Finance organization on mergers and acquisition activity.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Kugler was director of Advocacy Integration for Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems business. In this role, he was responsible for integrating all aspects of advocacy and strategy between IDS and Boeing’s Washington office for selected major domestic and international defense programs, along with leading the capability assessment group for Boeing’s defense sector. Previously he was director of Strategic Initiatives for Boeing’s Missile Defense Systems business and was responsible for leading the execution of Boeing’s missile defense activities in NATO and other key countries.

In 2005 he was named by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to her International Security Advisory Board.

In 2003 Kugler was a member of a group empanelled by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy to advise DoD on policy options related to the nexus of international missile defense cooperation, export controls, and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

Kugler joined Boeing in January 2002 following 10 years with Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, currently the ranking member of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Appropriations. From 1997 until departing the Senate, Kugler was the Republican staff director of the Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services of the United States Senate’s Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Prior to that Kugler was legislative director for Senator Cochran. In addition to leading the activities of Cochran’s legislative staff, he also retained direct responsibility for national security issues for the senator. Kugler began working for Senator Cochran in 1992 as assistant staff director of the Senate Republican Conference.

Kugler drafted the National Missile Defense Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-38), which makes it the policy of the United States to deploy a National Missile Defense system when the technology to do so is ready. He helped draft The Proliferation Primer, a 1998 report by the Subcommittee on International Security and Proliferation, and Senator Cochran’s September 2000 report, Stubborn Things: a Decade of Facts about Ballistic Missile Defense. Kugler helped plan, organize, and execute the Senate’s rejection of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, for which he was a recipient of the National Institute for Public Policy’s Security and Arms Control Award for 1999.

Prior to his positions with Senator Cochran, Kugler worked in the private sector on the Strategic Defense Initiative and at the Heritage Foundation as assistant to the President.

Kugler graduated in 1983 from West Point and served in the U.S. Army for five years as an infantry officer. He obtained his Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University in 1992.

Rear Admiral Bill Landay graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1978 and was commissioned as a surface warfare officer. His first assignment was as gunnery assistant and combat information center officer aboard USS Hepburn (FF 1055). Subsequent sea tours included ship control officer aboard USS Nicholas (FFG 47), commanding officer of USS Aquila (PHM 4) and commanding officer of USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60). During his tour, Paul Hamilton was awarded the Battle Efficiency “E” for operational performance, two Silver Anchor awards for retention excellence and the Spokane Trophy for outstanding Combat Systems Readiness.

Ashore, he has served as a team training instructor and Harpoon course director at Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific; C4I program officer and executive assistant to the Director of Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems at the United States Transportation Command. Acquisition tours included assignment as surface, strike, and underwater warfare manager and fleet support officer in the Aegis Program Office; executive assistant to the Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command; deputy for Fleet and Lifetime Support in the Program Executive Office, Theater Surface Combatants and executive assistant and naval aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). As a flag officer he served as the program executive officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare from 2004 through 2005, as chief of Naval Research and Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Science and Technology and director, Test and Evaluation and Technology Requirements from 2006 to 2008.

In August 2008, Landay became program executive officer for Ships.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Systems Technology (C4I) from the Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School. He was the 1998-99 Navy Fellow in the Defense Systems Management College, Military Research Fellowship Program. He is a level 3 certified acquisition professional and a proven subspecialist in C4I Systems.

Landay’s personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (2 awards), Legion of Merit (3 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, as well as various unit awards.

The Honorable Zachary J. Lemnios was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 19, 2009, and sworn in as Director, Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) on July 2, 2009. The DDR&E is the principal staff advisor for research and engineering matters to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) and the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense. In this capacity, Mr. Lemnios serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Department of Defense charged with the development and oversight of DoD technology strategy in concert with the Department’s current and future requirements. The goal of DDR&E is to extend the capabilities of current war fighting systems, develop breakthrough capabilities, hedge against an uncertain future through a set of scientific and engineering options and counter strategic surprise. In cooperation with the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (DUSD(A&T)), DDR&E also provides advice and assistance in developing policies for rapid technology transition.
Mr. Lemnios is a Principal member, Committee on Technology of the National Science and Technology Council; Advisor, Defense Acquisition Board; Chairman, Radiation Hardened Oversight Council (RHOC); Chairman, Defense Science and Technology Advisory Group (DSTAG); Chairman, Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management Committee; Chairman, DoD Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Board (CFREB); and Chairman, DoD Biometrics Executive Committee.
Before assuming this position, Mr. Lemnios was the Chief Technology Officer of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, responsible for coordinating technology strategy across the organization and for establishing and growing external strategic relationships to support current and future Laboratory missions. He also served as Assistant Division Head of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Solid State Division, as a member of the Laboratory's Senior Management Council and as the Co-Chair of the Laboratory's New Technology Initiative (NTI) Board.
Between 2002 and 2005, while at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Mr. Lemnios was Director of the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and previous to that, the Deputy Director of the Information Processing Technology Office (IPTO). In these positions, he oversaw the development of future research thrusts, analyzed and evaluated program proposals and engagements with commercial, academic organizations and represented DARPA on various national committees.
Mr. Lemnios held various positions within industry at Hughes Aircraft Company, Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Ford Microelectronics, Inc. that led to the development and demonstration of advanced microelectronic components. He has served on numerous DoD, industry and academic committees.
Mr. Lemnios received his BSEE from the University of Michigan and his MSEE from Washington University in St. Louis. He has authored over 40 papers, holds 4 patents in advanced GaAs device and MMIC technology and is a Senior Member of the IEEE.

Dr. Robert J. Lusardi serves as the Deputy Program Manager for the USMC’s Light Armored Vehicle Program since early 2004.  In this capacity, he has responsibility for all aspects of acquisition and sustainment of the Marine Corps fleet of LAV’s. In addition to 10 years of consulting experience, Dr. Lusardi has over 20 years of management experience in large, complex defense organizations.  As a consultant, Dr. Lusardi worked for various elements of the Department of Defense to include the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy.  He consulted for a number of defense and commercial companies. While in industry, he served in a number of management roles including Director of Business Development, Director of Systems Engineering, and as a Program Manager at all levels of the organization. Along with the LAV, he has extensive experience in the development, production, fielding, and sustainment of complex weapon systems including the M60 tank, the M1 tank, the Fox NBCRS, the HMMWV, and countermine systems. Dr. Lusardi has a BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.  In addition, he completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

Major General Thomas L. “Tango” Moore, Jr. was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1973 through Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. He attained his B.A. Degree from Delta State University in 1982 under the Degree Completion Program. In addition to attaining a Graduate Degree from Troy State University in 1996, his formal military education includes The Basic School (1973), Naval Aviation Flight Training (1975), Armed Forces Staff College (1985), and Air War College (1994).

In 1994 after a year as a student at Air War College and numerous assignments, Major General Moore was assigned as Marine Advisor to the Commandant, Air Command and Staff College. In 1995 he assumed the position as Marine Advisor to the Commandant, Air War College.

In 1996 he was assigned as Deputy Operations Officer for First Marine Expeditionary Force. He assumed command of 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in 1997 and deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf.

He was promoted to Brigadier General on 1 January 2000 and was assigned as Assistant Wing Commander, 2D MAW serving until July 2001. He served next at U.S. Joint Forces Command as Director for Operations and Plans (J-3) and Director for Logistics and Engineering (J-4) until August 2003.

He was advanced to Major General on 8 August 2003 and assumed the duties of Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia.

He served as Commanding General 2D Marine Aircraft Wing in Cherry Point, North Carolina from June 2004 to March 2006. He next served as Chief of Staff, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Baghdad from May 2006 to June 2007. In July of 2007 Major General Moore assumed his current duties as Chief of Staff, United States Central Command. In April 2008 he assumed the duties of Acting Deputy Commander, United States Central Command.

Major General Moore’s personal decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Air Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.

Mr. Tim Owings serves as the Deputy Project Manager for the Army’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Program Executive Office Aviation. He assumed his position on November 1, 2004 and is responsible for acquisition, execution, and sustainment of the Army’s complete line of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Mr. Owings has over 20 years of increasingly complex acquisition and technical experience.

Mr. Owings previously served as Deputy Product Manager for the Army’s Ground Maneuver UAV programs. Mr. Owings responsibilities included acquisition, development, sustainment, and fielding of the Shadow and Raven UAV systems.
Prior to assuming the Deputy Product Manager position, Mr. Owings served as Assistant Program Manager for Tactical UAV’s, charged with execution of the Army's Shadow Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System. He served in this role from 1999 until 2003. Mr. Owings led the Shadow UAV team from its inception through its Full rate production milestone, thus becoming the first UAV program in D.O.D. to achieve this milestone. Mr. Owings also served as the U.S. Army delegate to NATO for Army UAV systems from 1999 until 2002. He previously served as Air Vehicle Integrated Product Team Leader for the Outrider UAV program, a Joint ACTD between the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps. Prior to his service in acquisition, Mr. Owings served as an Aerodynamicist and Flight Performance Analyst within the AMCOM Research, Development, and Engineering center. Mr. Owings was responsible for flight performance analysis, as well as wind tunnel and flight test programs for a variety of applications including the Arrow Joint US-Israeli interceptor missile program, TOW 2A and TOW 2B Missile programs, and a variety of UAV and Target drone applications.
Mr. Owings received a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering in1989 and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2005. Both degrees were from Auburn University. Awards and Recognition include being a recipient of the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, The Superior Civilian Service Award, and the 2001 Operations Manager Award presented by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Civilian of the year for 2008.

Rear Admiral Pandolfe graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1980. He earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1987.

At sea, Pandolfe served in destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. He commanded USS Mitscher (DDG 57) from 1999-2001, earning three Battle Efficiency Awards for operational excellence and three Golden Anchor awards for superior retention. He commanded Destroyer Squadron 18 from 2003-2004, operating as Sea Combat commander for Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in the Arabian Gulf. From 2007-2009, he led Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group on a seven month combat deployment to the Northern Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ashore, Pandolfe has served on the Navy staff as executive assistant to the chief of Naval Operations, the Joint staff as deputy director for Strategy and Policy, and the White House staff as military aide and advisor to the vice president of the United States.

Pandolfe assumed duties as director, Surface Warfare Division, OPNAV N86 in July 2009.

Rear Admiral Prindle received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia and was commissioned through the NROTC program in May 1979. He was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1980. Rear Adm. Prindle earned a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University, The Industrial College of the Armed Forces in June 2001.

His operational tours include Patrol Squadron 45; USS Ranger (CV 61) catapult and arresting gear officer and V-2 division officer; Patrol Squadron 11 operations officer; Patrol Wing 5 ICEX 93 officer-in-charge; and Patrol Wing 10 chief staff officer. He commanded Patrol Squadron 46 and Patrol Squadron 30, the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force.

Shore assignments include Patrol Squadron 30 as an instructor pilot, and as the senior COMNAVAIRLANT NATOPS evaluator and P-3C NATOPS model manager. Major Staff duty tours include assistant for Officer Promotion Plans and Policy, and special assistant for Flag Matters, Bureau of Naval Personnel and program analyst, Assessment Division (N81), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Additionally, he served on the Joint Staff (J8) as an action officer, CINC Liaison Office, Joint Requirements Division. While assigned to the Joint Staff, he completed the MIT Seminar XXI Fellows Program, Foreign Politics, International Relations and the National Interest. In September 2003 he was assigned as head, N810 Capabilities and Acquisition Branch, N81 Assessment Division, followed by duty as executive assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Resources, Requirements and Assessments, N8. Upon being selected for flag rank, Rear Adm. Prindle served as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group from September 2005 to August 2008.

In August 2008, Rear Adm. Prindle assumed the duties of director, Assessment Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N81).

Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, in addition to various unit and service awards.

Lt. Gen. Mark D. "Shack" Shackelford is the Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He is responsible for research and development, test, production, and modernization of Air Force programs worth more than $23 billion annually.

General Shackelford entered the Air Force in 1977 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has more than 2,700 flight hours in 40 aircraft types with operational experience in the F-4 and F-16. The general was an experimental test pilot in the F-16 and the first Air Force pilot to fly the YF-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter prototype. He managed the F-22 Cockpit Development Program and directed the T-38, F-5, F-16 and F-22 programs. The general commanded a test squadron at Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and the test wing at the Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla. He also served as Deputy, Test and Assessment, for the Missile Defense Agency, and then Director of Plans and Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Director, Global Power Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C

General Shackelford holds Department of Defense Acquisition Corps Level III certifications in Test and Evaluation; Program Management; and Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering. He holds master level certification in the Space Professional Development Program. The general is a distinguished graduate of undergraduate pilot training, F-16 Fighter Weapons School and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.

Rear Admiral William E. Shannon is Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. Rear Adm. Shannon, a native of Massapequa, N.Y., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was designated a Naval Aviator the following year. He holds a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, the United States Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and the Defense Acquisition University’s Advanced Program Manager Course. At sea, Rear Adm. Shannon flew the RH-53D Sea Stallion with HM-12 and HM-14 and the MH-55E as a department head with HM-15. In addition, as a Navy/Marine Corps Exchange Pilot, he flew the CH-53D while serving as the S-3 and Weapons and Tactics instructor with the “Ugly Angels” of HMH-362. From 1993 to 1995, Rear Adm. Shannon served as executive officer, and subsequently, commanding officer of the “Blackhawks” of HM-15. During this tour, HM-15 deployed twice to Korea in response to tasking from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While he was in command, HM-15 was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Ashore, Rear Adm. Shannon served as a flight instructor in HM-12, as Head of the Mine Warfare Branch on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and as the assistant chief of staff for Readiness, Requirements, and Tactics at the Mine Warfare Command. His acquisition tours include deputy program executive officer for Operations and Airborne Mine Countermeasures in the program executive office for Air ASW, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO (A)). He also served as the program manager of the Multi-Mission Helicopter Program (PMA 299) where his team successfully introduced the MH-60S Seahawk to the Fleet. Following PMA 299, Rear Adm. Shannon became the deputy program executive officer for PEO (A), then went on to serve as the director of Total Force Readiness for the Naval Aviation Enterprise and NAVAIR’s assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations, before serving as program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.

Stanley R. Szemborski is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Northrop Grumman Corporation.

In this role, he is responsible for the corporation's strategic planning.  He works closely with the corporate leadership, the business development and government relations organizations, and the business segments.  He joined Northrop Grumman Corporation in 2007.

Szemborski retired as a Vice Admiral from the U.S. Navy after 36 years of commissioned service. He served for ten years in senior Pentagon positions, most recently as principal deputy director, Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he provided the Secretary of Defense independent analytic advice regarding alternative force structures, cost-effective weapons systems and operational readiness. He also served on the Joint Staff as deputy director, Force Structure, Resources, and Requirements and as Director of the Operations Division, Fiscal Management and Budget for the Department of the Navy.

Previously, Szemborski commanded Submarine Squadron Four in Charleston, S.C. and the nuclear-powered submarines USS Chicago and USS Houston.  He also served as an engineer officer of a nuclear-powered submarine and as a congressional liaison officer for the Department of the Navy.

Szemborski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy, graduating with distinction, and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has earned numerous awards including the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide

Lieutenant General Thiessen assumed his current duties as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources on 9 May 2008.

Lieutenant General Duane D. Thiessen was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 1974, after graduating from Pittsburg State University. Following completion of flight training he reported to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, for Harrier (AV-8) transition training. First Lieutenant Thiessen's initial assignment as a Harrier pilot was with VMA-542. While with VMA-542, he performed in both Operational and Maintenance billets while completing two deployments to Okinawa and participating in a Mediterranean deployment aboard the USS NASSAU. In July 1982, Captain Thiessen reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, Arizona, where he served as an AV-8 tactics instructor. In December 1985, Major Thiessen returned to MCAS Cherry Point and was assigned to VMA-231 as the Operations Officer. While with VMA-231, he led a detachment of six AV-8Bs and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Upon returning to the United States in 1988, Major Thiessen attended the Naval Command and Staff College in Newport, Rhode Island. Following graduation he reported to Naval Air Systems Command, Washington, DC, and served as an assistant to the AV-8B program manager. Brigadier General Thiessen was assigned as the Commanding General of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan from 3 June 2004 - 10 June 2005, followed by a two year tour as Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Korea and assistant Chief of Staff, U/C/J-5, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and the United States Forces Korea. In June 2007, Major General Thiessen returned to the United States and assumed the duties of Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (Programs), Headquarters United States Marine Corps.

Don Tison currently serves as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, responsible for Army Programs, Force Development, Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), Army Studies Management, and the Center for Army Analysis (CAA).  In this capacity, he is the principal advisor to the G-8 with responsibility for providing professional advice to the G-8 on key issues to include formulating plans and programs, acquiring resources, developing communication networks, executing operations, and evaluating results.  Additionally, Mr. Tison served as the Department of the Army Deputy Chief Management Officer (DCMO) with the overarching responsibilities for establishing the Office of Business Transformation, governing Army enterprise business transformation efforts and collaborating Joint enterprise efforts within the Department of Defense from March 2009 to January 2010.  In addition, he served for over two years as the Chairman, Headquarters and Support Activities Joint Cross Service Group, Base Realignment and Closure 2005 and was the Executive Director of the Army’s Business Initiative Council from January 2003 through April 2004. Prior to this position, Don Tison served as the Deputy Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate (PAED) from January 2001 to January 2003.  He was responsible for Army planning, programming and budgeting matters.  As the senior civilian in PAED, he was responsible for a broad range of independent and unique duties that revolved around the Army program development in support of the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) and the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). Don Tison received his B.S in Business Administration from The Citadel and his M.B.A. (with distinction) from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.  He is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Program Managers Course at the Defense Systems Management College.  In 1997, he completed the Columbia University Senior Executive Program.  From December 1997 to January 2001, Don Tison served as the Director, Force and Infrastructure Cost Analysis Division for OSD, Program Analysis and Evaluation (PA&E).   In that capacity, he was responsible for force structure and infrastructure costing, operations and support cost analysis including facilities and logistics assessments, defense agency performance contracts, and weapons systems costing as part of the Cost Analysis Improvement Group (CAIG).  Before accepting this position, Don Tison had completed a distinguished career in the Navy Supply Corps rising to the rank of Captain.  He has had extensive logistics, financial, manpower, and acquisition experience including afloat tours on submarines, tenders, cruisers and large deck amphibious warships.  His financial experience includes serving as Deputy Comptroller at the Defense Logistics Agency.  He served as Head of the Requirements Branch for the Naval Supply Systems Office of Personnel responsible for promotion, accession, and strength plans for the Navy Supply Corps.  His acquisition experience includes his position as Business/Financial Manager, Defense Suppression Systems Program Office (PMA-242) and he has been designated an Acquisition Professional.
EDUCATION:  B.S., Business Administration, The Citadel, 1975; M.B.A., Univ. of Pennsylvania, 1984
HONORS, AWARDS, AND SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:  2006 Presidential Distinguished Executive Award; 2003 Presidential Meritorious Rank Award; Exceptional Civilian Service Award; Defense Superior Service Medal (2); Meritorious Service Medal (3)

Barbara A. Westgate, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.  She assists in the development, integration, evaluation and analysis of the U.S. Air Force Future Years Defense Program that exceeds $822 billion, as well as the Air Force long-range plan to support national security objectives and military strategy.  Mrs. Westgate entered government service with the Air Force in 1973. She has served in numerous logistics, financial and acquisition program management positions.  Prior to assuming her present position, Mrs. Westgate was Executive Director, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Vice Admiral Winnefeld graduated with high honor in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and received his commission from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After designation as a naval aviator, he served with two fighter squadrons and as an instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Topgun).

His command tours include Fighter Squadron 211, USS Cleveland (LPD 7), and USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He led “Big E” through her 18th deployment, which included combat operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom immediately after the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, 2001. As Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWO/Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, he led Task Forces 50, 152, and 58 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and maritime interception operations in the Arabian Gulf. He most recently served as Commander, United States SIXTH Fleet, Commander NATO Allied Joint Command Lisbon, and Commander Striking and Support Forces NATO.

His shore tours include service as an action officer in the Joint Staff Operations Directorate, as Senior Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. As a flag officer he served ashore as director, Warfare Programs and Transformational Concepts, United States Fleet Forces Command and as Director of Joint Innovation and Experimentation at United States Joint Forces Command.
Vice Admiral Winnefeld’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, and five Battle Efficiency awards.

Rear Admiral Woods, a native of Ogden, Utah, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in 1981 and received his Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College in March 1997.  In April 1983, he was designated a Naval Flight Officer. His shore assignments include: Research Officer, Naval Surface Weapons Center; Aviation Enlisted Rating Assignment Officer, Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS); EA-6B Fleet Replacement Training Officer and flight instructor, VAQ-129, Vikings; EA-6B Wing Readiness and Requirements Officer, Electronic Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet; EA-6B and Airborne Electronic Attack Requirements Officer, Chief of Naval Operations, OPNAV Air Warfare Division. His sea duty assignments include: VAQ-131, Lancers, deploying with CVW-6 aboard USS Independence (CV 62) to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean and with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CV 61) to the Western Pacific; VAQ-138, Yellowjackets, for two deployments with CVW-9 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf supporting both Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch. Woods’ Commander Command was VAQ-132 completing a Med/Arabian Gulf deployment with CVW-17 aboard USS Eisenhower (CVN 69). He also led the Scorpions on an Expeditionary deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Under his leadership VAQ-132 won the 1998 CNAL Battle “E”, 1998 CNO Safety “S”, 1998 CNO RADM Arthur W. Radford Award, and the 1999 CVWP “Prowler Maintenance Squadron of the Year.” His Bonus Commander Command was VAQ-129, the Navy’s EA-6B “Prowler” Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS).  Under his command the Vikings won for the first time the Chief of Naval Air Forces 2002 “Commander Theodore G. Ellyson Award” for aircrew production excellence. Woods’ Major Command was as Commander, Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) for two deployments with Carrier Strike Group Eleven onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to the Western Pacific, North Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf in combat support of both Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Woods' joint assignments include: Deputy Director, Combined Air Operations Center, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA), Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. He returned in September 2008 from a combat tour in Iraq as Commander, Joint CREW Composite Squadron ONE (JCCS-1) leading the Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNCI) Electronic Warfare fight against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Woods’ decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals (four awards), Strike/Flight Air Medals (five awards), USAF Aerial Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medals (four awards), Navy Achievement Medals (two awards) and various other service and unit awards.  He also received the 1995 National Navy league “Vice Admiral John Perry Award” for excellence in Electronic Warfare.