Department of AF Fellows Program

I recently met with officers who spent a year participating in the Secretary of Defense Executive Fellows program. This initiative equips our Joint Force with valuable insights from the private sector, enhancing our ability to tackle complex challenges. Bringing private sector experience to the military is crucial for fostering innovation and efficiency. The exchange of ideas and best practices between the military and private sector helps us leverage advanced technologies and formulate strategic approaches. This collaboration is not just beneficial for our Joint Force. By understanding military operations and needs, the private sector can better tailor their solutions and services, leading to more effective partnerships. Together, we can drive progress and ensure that both our military and private sector remain adaptable and forward-thinking in the face of evolving challenges.

Congratulations Maj Christopher Guida for your enriching year at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)!

Congratulations to the following United States Air Force Fellows who were selected for the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5)!   Lt Col (s) Josh Banks, U.S. Department of Transportation Lt Col (s) Cassandra Cowher, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Lt Col (s) Eric Dahlmann, Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies Lt Col (s) Alex Emley, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Lt Col (s) Matthew Guertin, Legislative Fellow Lt Col (s) Ashley Ann Hajovsky, Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University Lt Col (s) Minnenne H., MIT Lincoln Laboratory Lt Col (s) John Johnston, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies Lt Col (s) Jonathan Lewczyk, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Lt Col (s) Anthony Mascaro, Defense Threat Reduction Agency Lt Col (s) Jennifer Matthews, Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies Lt Col (s) Melinda M., New America Lt Col (s) Angela Petersen, Joint Mobility Fellow A huge round of applause on your selection for your next leadership chapter! #airforcefellows #militarypromotion #strategicleadership

In the coming weeks, we intend to feature published works of our 2024 Class of United States Air Force and United States Space Force Fellows. These articles represent the views of their authors and not an official policy position of the U.S. government. With the return of state-state conflict in the Middle East, especially the April 13 attack of Iran against Israel, how should national security leaders reposture to deter further aggression? Colonel Andrew Clemmensen, posted to The Washington Institute For Near East Policy this past year, published a series of articles addressing this question, making a clear argument that refined investment in air defenses through foreign military sales is a key approach, along with a critical evaluation of the current approach to deterrence. #strategicleadership #deterrence #airdefense https://lnkd.in/eeTRiCAk

Congratulations Colonel Alphanso A. !! Making O-6 is such an important milestone, and amazing that Secretary Rice officiated. Huge congrats to you and your family!

Today we graduated 138 United States Air Force and United States Space Force Fellows! We had an amazing event at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall III as our keynote speaker. It was a poignant and memorable ceremony! Huge thanks to Colonel (select) Jessica Guarini, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Cannone, Major Andrew Sainsbury, Major Erin Alt,and Major Andy Schnell, and the Fellows team for working hard to make today a huge success! Thank you Air University, Air War College, Brig Gen William “Clay” Freeman, Col Theodore Shanks, Ms. Mona "Dee" Taylor, Capt Christopher Woychak, 1Lt Sean Olson, TSgt Amber Hernandez, and SSgt Brittany Vivens. #AirForceFellows #SpaceForceFellows #NASA #graduation Author: Lt Col Dwight Rabe

We hit the road last week to visit United States Air Force fellows and advisors at the two Pacific Defense Security Cooperation Agency regional security centers: -Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii Fellows are Lt Col Robert Gramling, Major Eric Dahlmann, and Major Maggie Matthews -Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies Fellows are Major David Ince and Major Jack Johnston Our visit gave us insight to the different program experiences of the fellows, the unique mission of their host institutions, and the exciting research they have been working on. APCSS and TSC are two of six DoD regional centers serving as international venues for bilateral and multilateral research, communication, sharing of ideas, and training. Facilitating education between senior level military and civilian leaders to focus on their respective regions, the centers serve to build institutional capacity for the U.S. and participating countries to support the National Security and Defense Strategy. More information about the centers can be found at: https://lnkd.in/eNjKMhnD #securitycooperation #regionalcenters #DAFFellows

Our Office of the Secretary of Defense and Council on Foreign Relations Fellows hit Wall Street! Thank you Barclays and NYSE for hosting! #AirForceFellows #SpaceForceFellows #strategicleadership

Hosting Ms. Erin Sawyer, the Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Reykjavik, Iceland, for a second year was a special learning event for our United States Air Force and United States Space Force fellows. A member of the U.S. Department of State senior foreign service and previously the senior political advisor at U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, Ms. Sawyer discussed great power competition in the high north, to include climate and energy security, Iceland's political and business community, and the importance of diplomacy in today's complex security environment. Thank you Ms. Sawyer for your leadership and joining us again to provide such an insightful perspective for our fellows! #AirForceFellows #SpaceForceFellows #strategicleadership #diplomacy