Ben Akins Email & Phone Number

Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States

The Bolat Group supports cutting edge technologies and consults to corporations seeking to increase business opportunities in the global marketplace and within the Government/Defense/Public Sector. Strategic consulting, including new business development, market entry & sales strategy development.

Wenatchee, Washington, United States

Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States

Pentagon

• Delivers strategic results -- Developed and coordinated Air Force position on 130 Joint Logistics and Force Support requirements and issues accounting for 60% of the Defense Department budget; led, coordinated, and managed Joint and Air Force programs & issues worth $318.7 Billion• Background and level of expertise led to positions of trust in matters of national interest and security. Prepared the Air Force Executive Vice President for discussions with the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (#2 U.S. military leader), and Executive V.P.s of the Army, Navy and USMC• Department of Defense and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution expertise -- Led AF Mobility Issue Team through Program Budget Review; adjudicated 6 Mobility issues and 2 Major Budget Issues valued at over $8.2 Billion; Deputy Secretary of Defense upheld every Air Force position• Level of expertise and knowledge led to identification as the “go to guy” to prep senior leadership for engagement with legislative branch -- Guided $6 Billion C-130 Avionics Modernization Program through the Joint Requirements Oversight Council before potential cost overruns forced Nunn-McCurdy breach; prepared the Joint Chiefs of Staff for legislative inquiries• Global mobility expert and excellent communicator; briefed Congress on KC-10/KC-135 capabilities vs. KC-46 capabilities; satisfied all senators’ questions• Excellent exercise leader -- As Crisis Action Team (CAT) chief, led 40 personnel through continuity of government command post exercise; seamlessly relocated emergency site operations from Washington DC to alternate location with no loss of capability; highly praised for full continuity of operations execution under challenging conditions

Dyess Air Force Base, Tx

• Personnel and operations expert -- Led an operational, 110-person unit that formulated, implemented, and coordinated support for an Airlift Group comprised of 33 C-130s, 1,300 personnel, and $3.1 Billion in facilities • Managed training, quality assurance, and 96,000 flying-hour program to ensure 56 aircrews were fully qualified to support local and deployed joint and combined operational exercises and contingency taskings• Oversaw welfare, morale, and safety of all personnel with emphasis on training and career development• Maximized simulator training during airframe shortage; reduced flight hours 10%, saving $7.5 Million and increasing aircraft longevity more than 4,500 hours; streamlined process, increased efficiency• Fixed broken program; merged 11 personnel from two squadrons into cohesive team; identified as a “Best practice”• Managed construction project which relocated displaced personnel with peers; saved $218K/100+ man-hrs per year• Led the coordination of $2.5M dirt landing zone repair• Won Air Mobility Command’s “Outstanding Small Operations Support Squadron of the Year” Award both years in command

Southwest Asia

• Natural leader and excellent manager -- Led largest Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom transport aircraft unit; oversaw operations and all aspects of unit readiness; achieved a 99.5% operational effectiveness rate• Team builder and problem solver -- Led the effort to reduce C-130 engine over temperatures; teamed with the senior flight engineer and maintenance to create new hot weather operations procedures; solution saved 672 maintenance man hours and slashed engine discrepancies 84%

Tokyo, Japan (Yokota Air Base)

• Internationally proven leadership and team-building skills -- Directed multi-million dollar joint operations; crisis action and deliberate planning; and planning and execution of exercises and training venues with allies and PACOM; understanding of cultural differences and ability to work through challenging negotiations resulted in the “most successful series of exercises in this command’s history” – USFJ Senior Executive• Proven project manager -- Project lead for 300 personnel in planning/executing a $4 Million exercise for 3,000+ participants in the only joint / bilateral, U.S.-Japan command post exercise (CPX); “The most successful/best coordinated exercise I’ve seen” – USFJ Senior Executive• Proven program manager -- Developed “blueprint” for US-Japan military exercise, involving over $17 Million and 10,700 U.S. / Japanese personnel; dramatically improved interoperability & readiness of U.S. & Japanese forces• Excellent platform briefing skills -- USFJ Senior Executive’s choice to brief the PACOM, TRANSCOM, and PACAF Commanders; the Deputy Secretary of Defense; and the US Ambassador, Japan• Developed US-Japan strategic policy, wartime host nation support, and intel/counterintel; built trust and confidence with allies and strengthened the U.S.-Japan relationship• Co-executor of US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security enabling US access/influence in NE Asia; “greatly contributed to advancement of bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding” – Japanese 2-star general

Little Rock, Arkansas Area

• Managed Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) flight operations; flawlessly oversaw syllabus flying plus training and evaluation requirements for 28 cadre aircrew• Handpicked as acting operations officer (DO); perfectly shouldered WIC day-to-day-flight ops and DO responsibilities; graduated 14 new Weapons Officers• Tactical airlift expert; deployed to Southwest Asia as Operation Enduring Freedom Chief of Airlift Tactics; expertise critical to the execution of 60+ airlift/tanker combat sorties per day; planned the first-ever night vision goggle combat airdrops in the history of Air Mobility Command; missions resupplied Operation Enduring Freedom ground operations• Built airlift theater special instructions; moved 68,000 tons and 95,000 personnel• Built detailed non-combatant evacuation plan for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM: Director of Mobility Forces praised it as "best to date"

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

Exercised operational control of over 250 assigned and attached aircrew members of a tactical airlift squadron. Responsible for safe and efficient conduct of all squadron flying activities. Implemented operations and training missions. Planned and directed aircrew flying and ground training programs to ensure aircrews were capable of contingency deployments. Evaluated the quality of aircrew upgrade and continuation training programs and aircrew scheduling to ensure safe and effective execution. Ensured unit complied with all aircrew flying and training regulations. Served as field grade mission commander for joint exercises and deployments. • Mission commander of 517 AS Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) deployment, first in 5 years for the 517 AS; integrated two aircraft and four crews from Pacific Air Forces with four aircraft and six crews from Air Mobility Command (AMC)• Developed night vision goggle (NVG) courseware and trained 94% of loadmasters in NVGs…AMC “benchmarked” the program • Planned 18-ship formation during NORTHERN EDGE, the largest formation in Alaska’s history; integrated 12 units: 6 C-130 squadrons, 3 major commands, 3 services, and the Air Guard • 3rd Wing’s sole rep to the C-130 performance manual conference; led first reg changes in 10 years • Prepared squadron, as well as mission commanded an aircraft formation during a surprise inflight retasking as part of an exhaustive combat employment readiness inspection (CERI)... the ultimate report card for an Air Force Wing. Managed key processes and flying operations. Results…”EXCELLENT”…it’s difficult to be graded much higher.

Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska

Supervised and directed the airlift weapons, tactics, and training programs for the 3rd Wing (WG), totaling over 500 aircrew members. Advised the Wing Commander on airlift utilization and employment. Coordinated Alaskan theater airdrop and airland procedures with FAA officials. Chaired the airdrop accident and incident review board. Responsible for all facets of 3 WG C-130H training and employment. Maintained core airlift academics and employment standards and was responsible for tactical instruction and employment for over 180 C-130H aircrew. Core member of the 3 WG Composite Mission Planning Cell as chief, airlift planning. • Lead planner and deputy mission commander for COBRA GOLD; developed and implemented new drop zones; planned and controlled over 30 missions while grooming an inexperienced staff • Planned airborne assault during NORTHERN EDGE 99; managed the planning and execution of a mission comprising 20 aircraft from 4 bases as well as the U.S. Army and National Guard• Directed and managed all aspects of 3 WG C-130 tactical and employment and aircrew combat training• Spearheaded the C-130 missile warning system project• Led the airlift mission planning cell for COPE THUNDER • Planned and executed the largest practice medevac in 3 WG history• Championed and planned the installation of a permanent assault landing lighting system, saving over 300 man-hours per year• Restructured the Airlift Defensive System training program; developed a Low-Level Awareness Training for aircrew; and created a Basic Hercules Maneuvering program • Coauthored the Theater Ballistic Missile Defense Plan for NORTHERN EDGE 2000• Selected as the 3 WG and 11th Air Force Air Mobility Command Combat Tactician of the Year• Recognized by Pacific Air Forces inspectors as an “Outstanding Performer” as mission planning cell chief during the 3 WG’s initial readiness response inspection. Results…”OUTSTANDING”…can’t be graded any higher

Dyess Air Force Base, Tx

Responsible to the commander for the leadership, supervision, and management of all assigned flight evaluators. Organized and managed flight evaluators to ensure effective administration of the unit standardization and evaluation (Stan/Eval) program. Monitored effectiveness of squadron ground, flying, continuation, and upgrade training through testing and in-flight evaluations. Evaluated procedures, techniques, and standards of more than 50 assigned pilots. Counseled subordinates on career objectives and personal development. Advised commander on crew member proficiency and trends. • Led airlift planning for Joint Task Force PROVIDE PROMISE; helped restart the Sarajevo airbridge after a 5-month suspension in support of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees• Designated to brief and escort civic leaders in Leadership Abilene; educated local officials in all aspects of base operations • Participated in numerous exercises to include UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti and SOUTHERN WATCH in Southwest Asia

Education record

Master'S Degree, Military Operational Art And Science/Studies

Education record

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Biology

Activities and Societies: Drum and Bugle Corps, Ski Club Bachelor of Science, Biology

High School

Activities and Societies: Football, Track, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Drama Club, Sea Scouts, Band President.