Task Force-Battalion Aviation Safety Officer / Air Mission Commander
U.S. Army: 1St Air Cavalry Brigade
Fort Hood, Tx
Task Force Aviation Safety Officer, Air Mission Commander and Attack Helicopter Pilot-in-Command in combat providing Close Air Support to Special Operations and Conventional Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Subject matter Expert/Inspector/Evaluator in the employment, readiness and risk management for implementation of aerial weapons platforms in combat utilizing Hellfire guided missile, 2.75 inch unguided rockets, and heavy machine gun systems. Responsible for managing a Task Force safety program encompassing over 500 Soldiers and over $1.8 billion dollars’ worth of equipment including; 43 aircraft (AH-64D Apache, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters, and MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS), 150 vehicles and associated general support equipment. Responsibilities included: The professional development, training, and ongoing mentoring of 16 subordinate Additional Duty Safety Officers, and NCOs; Conducting accident investigations for mishaps involving rotary wing, UAS, ground vehicle, and personnel resulting from human error and material failure accidents. Inspecting/surveying workplaces, Troop Medical Clinics, assessing hazards, developing procedures, and authoring regulations; Training Soldiers and Leaders in Safety, Occupational Health, and Environmental Protection best practices.