Experience

TATE, Incorporated

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Role Player, Joint Military Attache School

  • Feb 2019 - Present

  Role Player for the Joint Military Attaché School. Role play as a Foreign Liaison Officer (FLO) to carry on conversations, ask difficult/provocative questions, and watch the student’s demeanor in various situations. The role is to determine whether the student is likeable, diplomatic, solicits information in a subtle manner, and will represent the United States well in their overseas assignment. Role Player for the Joint Military Attaché School. Role play as a Foreign Liaison Officer (FLO) to carry on conversations, ask difficult/provocative questions, and watch the student’s demeanor in various situations. The role is to determine whether the student is likeable, diplomatic, solicits information in a subtle manner, and will represent the United States well in their overseas assignment.



Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (Government Civilian)

• Lead Personnel Recovery/Search and Rescue Exercise Planner

  • Mar 2011 - Dec 2018

  Lead Personnel Recovery (PR) exercise planner for the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) Personnel Recovery Education and Training Center (PRETC). Responsible for all aspects of assigned exercises for two Combatant Commands (USPACOM/USNORTHCOM), to include: all planning to achieve training audience objectives and a "world class" PR exercise, budget, briefings, preparation/training/execution of the PR Exercise Support Team (PREST), analysis/lessons learned, and proper execution of the PRETC Exercise SOP. Lead PR exercise planner for TERMINAL FURY, ANGEL THUNDER, TALISMAN SABER, ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN, NEPTUNE FALCON, TEMPEST WIND, ARDENT SENTRY, and VIGILANT SHIELD. Multiple commendations from training audience, Combatant Command exercise leadership, and JPRA leadership. By name requested to support recovery operations following Hurricane IRENE, resulting in over 200 lives saved. From outgoing USNORTHCOM PR OPR: “Ron thanks for your effort in bringing PR/SAR to the forefront in USNORTHCOM. PR/SAR is now embedded in USNORTHCOM thanks to your efforts.” From the JPRA Representative to USNORTHCOM: “Your efforts in the ARDENT SENTRY exercise series significantly influenced DoD’s response to Hurricanes HARVEY, IRMA, and MARIA resulting in over 2000 lives saved.” JPRA Civilian of the Quarter (2nd Quarter 2013).



Alaskan Command/JTF-Alaska (Government Civilian)

• Joint Exercise and Personnel Recovery Specialist

  • Sep 2008 - Mar 2011

  Personnel Recovery (PR) OPR for Joint Task Force-Alaska. USNORTHCOM by name requested/participated as Watch Supervisor in the USNORTHCOM Joint Personnel Recovery Center (JPRC) for the Fall 2008 Hurricane season, resulting in over 400 lives saved. Developed the first USNORTHCOM CI SAR/PR Operations instruction, USNORTHCOM PR CONOPS and the USNORTHCOM CI SAR CONOPS. Key player in finalizing the USNORTHCOM CI SAR OPORD. USNORTHCOM SME on Arctic SAR, authored for 4-star consumption, a very well received paper on Arctic SAR capabilities, gaps, and seams. Lead planner for ARCTIC EDGE 10, a large USNORTHCOM interagency (private, local, state, federal) exercise focusing on the response to a large earthquake near Anchorage, AK involving maritime, air, land, and urban SAR. Lead JTF-AK planner for VIGILANT SHIELD 2011, a whole of government, bi-national (with Canada) exercise focusing on USNORTHCOM CONPLANS 3310/3400 and USSTRATCOM OPLAN 8010. JTF-AK lead planner for VIGILANT SHIELD 2010, focusing on Canada’s final preparations for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. ALCOM primary exercise planner for NORTHERN EDGE 2009, a USPACOM, US only, OPLAN-focused warfighting exercise, involving 9000 personnel, over 200 aircraft, an aircraft carrier strike group, with over an $11M budget. NE09 involved significant all domain PR, including the preparation of Special Operations forces for upcoming deployments to USCENTCOM, Live-Virtual-Constructive (L-V-C) PR, and Phase I Reintegration on an aircraft carrier. Lead ALCOM exercise planner for ARCTIC SAREX, a USPACOM Theater Security Cooperation Policy (TSCP) SAR exercise with Russia and Canada. Due to extensive Arctic experience, asked by USNORTHCOM to represent the command in USEUCOM and Canada Command Arctic conferences and exercises. ALCOM Category III Civilian of the Quarter (July-September 2010) and ALCOM Category II Civilian of the Quarter (April-June 2009).



TATE, Incorporated

• United States
• Armed Forces
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief, Alaskan Command/JTF-Alaska Personnel Recovery Exercise Branch

  • Sep 2005 - Sep 2008

  ALCOM primary exercise planner for two USPACOM, JTF-519, US only, OPLAN focused warfighting exercises - NORTHERN EDGE 2006 (NE06) and NORTHERN EDGE 2008 (NE08). ALCOM primary planner for two USPACOM TSCP, multi-service, tri-national (US, Russia, Canada), SAR exercises - ARCTIC SAREX 2005 and ARCTIC SAREX 2007. JTF-AK exercise planner (primary PR planner) for VIGILANT SHIELD 2006 (VS06) and VIGILANT SHIELD 2007 (VS07), annual USNORTHCOM, NORAD Homeland Defense (HLD) focused national/strategic exercises. JTF-AK exercise planner (primary PR planner) for NORTHERN EDGE 2007 (NE07), a biannual USNORTHCOM, HLD/Homeland Security (HLS) Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), interagency (private, local, state, federal) focused exercise. These and several other smaller scale exercises support the Commander JTF-AK/Commander ALCOM/Commander ANR Joint Training Plan in support of war plans, regional strategy, and HLD/HLS DSCA training objectives. Key accomplishments: NE06/NE08 provided key and direct improvements to the OPLAN and supporting documents as identified by the Commander JTF-519, a 4-star Admiral. Provided the most robust, realistic opposition force seen to date anywhere in this scale of exercise. Provided a venue for experimentation initiatives of national level importance. JTF-AK/ANR processes, procedures, and interagency relationships have been greatly improved through VS06/VS07/NE07 and several smaller exercises as identified in several After Action Reviews. Expert in warfighting and peacetime military and civilian PR/SAR planning, training, and operations; recognized as the PR/SAR expert on the JTF-AK/ALCOM staff. Fully trained member of the JTF-AK Adaptive Staff during HLD/HLS DSCA crisis operations.

• Planner, US Pacific Command Personnel Recovery Center of Excellence

  • Nov 2003 - Sep 2005

  Contract position funded to serve as the Personnel Recovery Planner in conjunction with the USPACOM PR Center of Excellence (COE). Responsible for the planning, preparation, and support of PR exercises within USPACOM. Served as the liaison to the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA), assisting with PR course review and design. Provided support to the USPACOM PR OPR in the execution of PR tasks as outlined within the Commander, USPACOM, Training Guidance in the USPACOM Joint Training Plan and coordinated with JPRA. Led the PR COE effort to develop, exercise, and refine joint PR Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). Worked in coordination PACOM J31 and J35 to develop methods and procedures for inclusion and integration of meaningful joint PR exercise plans in as many USPACOM exercises as possible. Led all PR planning, execution, and oversight efforts for TALISMAN SABER 2005, a large USPACOM combined exercise with Australia. Assisted in the coordination between Joint Commands, Services, and other agencies to maximize opportunities for PR exercises and training using the outstanding Alaska military ranges, training areas, in-place assets, and the COPE THUNDER complex. Provided PR expertise to USPACOM and subordinate organizations for operations and training. Co-led with JPRA the Mission Area Analysis of all PR training, planning, and execution on the Korean Peninsula, resulting in significant measurable improvement. Supported USPACOM J31 in the development of USPACOM PR doctrine, directives, Standard Operating Procedures, and CONOPS. Supported USPACOM Theater Engagement activities with PR expertise. Recommended PR initiatives to USPACOM. Provided PR expertise in support of PR-related research, development, experimentation, and testing.



United States Air Force

• United States
• Defense and Space Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director, US Pacific Command Personnel Recovery Center of Excellence

  • Oct 2000 - Nov 2003

  By name requested by the Commander, ALCOM (3-star) to bring reality to the Commander, USPACOM initiative to make Alaska the Personnel Recovery Center of Excellence for USPACOM. Important milestones reached: developed and oversaw the PR portion of four NORTHERN EDGE exercises NE01 thru NE04, establishing this exercise as the premier joint PR exercise within USPACOM; developed, rehearsed, and validated a classified PR Quick Reaction Force within USPACOM, received 4-star attention; developed the PR Standing Operating Procedures for USPACOM; developed the PR execution annex of a new classified USPACOM OPLAN; drove the development of a standardized PR Special Instructions (SPINS) template for USPACOM; developed an enduring mechanism ensuring PR is a part of all USPACOM planning processes; developed the PR exercise planners checklist in use by USPACOM; developed the SPINS for the new Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) survivor radio; hosted the first use of the CSEL survival radio in a major exercise, revised the CONOPS for better effectiveness; funded and built a training JPRC to exercise PR command and control in all exercises; developed the USPACOM PR COE Charter, formalizing responsibilities and integrating the COE into USPACOM; and trained two US Army aviation units in PR prior to deployment to Iraq. In NORTHERN EDGE 2004 (NE04): integrated classified PR module training, exercised robust Unconventional Assisted Recovery operations (first in USPACOM), exercised robust reintegration operations, and integrated a Global PR Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration.

• Commander, 210th Rescue Squadron

  • Mar 1998 - Sep 2000

  Responsible for the operation and combat readiness of a combat rescue squadron consisting of 120 personnel (including 40 pararescuemen), six HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters, and four HC-130 rescue/tanker aircraft. Oversaw all unit programs, a budget of $1M, and all training for a squadron flying over 3000 hours per year. The busiest rescue unit in the Air Force, the squadron averaged 110 rescue missions per year saving 80 lives annually in some of the most dangerous flying conditions in the world. Under my command: deployed to Southwest Asia; won the Jolly Green Rescue of the Year Award; received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; and following in the footsteps of Hap Arnold, Jimmie Doolittle, and Chuck Yeager, was the first Air National Guard recipient of the prestigious Mackay Trophy (given for the most meritorious flight in the Air Force during 1998). The squadron also performed very well on two Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) inspections, receiving an “Excellent” on the Aircrew Standardization / Evaluation Inspection. The 210th is widely considered the best rescue squadron in the Air Force, if not the world.

• Commander, 11th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center

  • Nov 1996 - Mar 1998

  Responsible for the operation and combat readiness of the 11AF Rescue Coordination Center (RCC), the only RCC in the Reserve Component. Directed the planning, coordination, and control of all SAR activities throughout the Alaskan theater, and internationally when requested. Managed all aspects of SAR missions involving all active/reserve service components, Civil Air Patrol, and various domestic and international civilian agencies. Supervised RCC and support personnel to meet training and operational requirements. Advised the 11th Air Force Commander (3-star) on all matters relating to SAR. The unit controlled 450 rescue missions on average each year, saving 250 lives annually. Planned, coordinated, and controlled the first ever SAR into the Russian mainland by US agencies. Under my command, the 11AF RCC was selected as the best in the Air Force and was awarded the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award.