Rex Saukkonen Email & Phone Number

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Supports the Allied Command Transformation Joint Effects Program Director for C-Threat/FP/JPR in program management efforts, including the interaction with stakeholders at all levels from strategic to tactical. Provisions methodical and analytical expertise in support of the holistic approach toward CT/FP/JPR capability development and requirements. Administers joint information sharing to include NATO agencies. Supports the interaction with NATO agencies in capability development and capability validation. Identifies lessons and best practices and contributes to their learning within the NATO enterprise. Organizes and participates in workshops, seminars, conferences, and meetings in support of the NATO enterprise.

Hurlburt Field, Florida, United States

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Served as the Cooperative Security and Partnership subject matter expert for Supreme Allied Command Transformation (NATO HQ SACT) with focus on counter terrorism. Liaised at the political-military level with NATO International Staff and International Military Staff and US Joint Staff, i.e., Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, and Partnerships and Cooperation Branch, respectively, and Military Partnerships Directorate. Coordinated HQ SACT contribution in support of NATO’s execution of Partnerships activities with special emphasis on special operations and conventional force integration. Supported and assisted effective decision making, strategy development and implementation of transformational initiatives to forge the future of Cooperative Security. Conducted research and analysis of partnership matters prevailing to national, international and NATO-relevant political, military, diplomatic, economic, social and scientific issues. Collaborated with staff within the NATO community concerned with strategic level concept development. Set out relevant research findings and policy recommendations in detailed reports and briefing papers on Counter Terrorism, Counter Hybrid Warfare, and Resilience. Authored NATO’s annual report on Counter Terrorism and the Fight Against Terrorism. Chaired the command counter-terrorism cross-functional action team and led the command’s development of counter-terrorism operational design and the Military Committee's Concept for Counter Terrorism (MC 0472/2). Led Strategic Foresight project on terrorism to shape NATO's Warfighting Capstone Concept--a 20-year look into force development and strategy.

Raf Mildenhall, Uk

Provided daily oversight of multiple contractors and supported a $6.25M Advisory and Assistance Services Contract for the United States’ only overseas special operations wing. Mentored active duty leaders, staff personnel, and providing constant feedback to senior leaders through face-to-face meetings and weekly summary reports. Conducted constant coordination with US Air Forces Europe (USAFE) staff, Special Operations Europe (SOCEUR) Staff/Liaison Officers, and UK Ministry of Defense (UK MoD) Officials and Staffs to coordinate new training areas, ranges, airspace and changes to Status of Forces Agreements in an effort to expand special operations training and interoperability with host nation forces.⇨ Led sub-contract SERCO team ensuring full success of the PWS; contract extended for an additional year.⇨ Established metrics and reporting process used by seven Decypher operating sites in multiple countries.⇨ Success of contract year resulted in being nominated for SOCOM's Peter J. Ortiz Award for exceptional contributions to Special Operation Forces -- The only personnel being nominated for this prestigious award.

⇨ SOCEUR Joint Special Operations Air Component Element Commander, responsible for Special Operation Forces Air throughout Europe and Africa: OEF-TS and Libya kinetic ops. ⇨ Mission Commander for MH-53 operations in Djibouti and Afghanistan. ⇨ Air Advisor Squadron Commander / Evaluator Pilot for Kandahar Air Wing (Mi-17s). Afghan OG/CC and Sq/CC mentor. Group Deputy Commander.⇨ UH-1H/V/N, MH-53J/M, Mi-17V1/5 instructor/evaluator pilot, ⇨ US Army Maintenance Manager/Maintenance Test Pilot. ⇨ Chief of Squadron Scheduling, Current Operations, Plans.

Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany

Directed the daily operations for Europe's Special Operations Command encompassing the development and execution of strategic plans, policies, and assessments of $100M command security cooperation projects ensuring the capability for joint special operations among 28 different nations (Lauded: "Europe's recognized special operations aviation expert...wrote theater's development road maps").• Spearheaded NATO aviation development; promoted US security interests and cultivated Allied partnerships creating strategic change, growing operational staffs, and establishing tactical capability while providing/implementing technical solutions to make NATO stronger. • Special Liaison to NATO; synchronized US/NATO strategy and engagement plans and harnessed industry to solve Alliance capability gaps.• My excellent communications skills, oral, written and presentation were core to implementing $100M Security Cooperation programs. This included recruiting, screening, interviewing, hiring, training, and leading multi-national, multi-discipline engagements teams with diverse backgrounds and cultures such as: academic professors, economics experts, lawyers, and military specialists. • Oversaw the coordination of two multi-year aviation contracts ISO SOCEUR; manned ISR and Non-Standard Fixed-Wing aircraft.• Source selected seven rotary-wing training contracts and sub-contracts ISO NATO SOF aviation development.• Served as a subject matter expert (SME) on the policies and processes of the US Department of Defense, NATO, and Department of State.

Raf Mildenhall, Uk

Served in various leadership capacities directing the effective operations of 12 divisions comprised of 1,200+ employees focused on operational excellence throughout Europe and Africa and the construction of the US Air Force's only overseas special operations wing. Advised Afghan nationals and NATO senior leadership in the strategic design of the Kandahar Air Wing.• Oversight over multi-million dollar project budgets, equipment, and assets.• Licensed Ground Flight Representative; set baseline, and oversaw performance by tracking contracts in Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia.• Liaised with national and international leaders as an adviser on defense and security strategies.• Led the development of the crisis response and security assistance programs on behalf of the US Air Force.• Stood up European Command’s only special operations aviation wing and associated operations and maintenance groups; a $312,000 program to include new buildings, personnel, budgeting and equipment. Daily responsibilities included the oversight, training, and 24/7 readiness of five squadrons and employees covering 195 specialties, a budget of $27.5 million, a flying hr program valued at $16.6 million and 17 aircraft & equipment valued at more than $1.6 billion. • Directed the special operations air operations and synchronized the group’s 3,500 flying hours to support US national strategy and security. • Created Special Operations Command Europe's personnel recovery program, led training, created standardized procedures, and exercises to integrate and protect the command’s assigned personnel in uncertain/hostile operating environments. Liaison between the US and UK (Entrusted by both; I was the sole American selected to advise the UK’s Ministry of Defense during its Strategic Defense and Security Review to shape a combined strategies for cooperation within the international arena).

Raf Mildenhall

Headhunted to develop NATO's first special operations headquarters. Provided consultation on design, processes, training and education.⇨ Created the doctrine, process documents, standard operating procedures, and course content for the school within the headquarters.⇨ Facilitated initial courses to 1,000+ students.⇨ Analyzed and validated training material for Afghan combat and humanitarian operations.⇨ Initiated and implemented various strategic plans including wartime employment and peacetime tasking strategies as well as operations with air, land, maritime governmental and non-governmental agencies.

Kirtland Afb, Nm

Supervised flying operations for a squadron of 90+ personnel tasked with the maintenance and operations of aircraft valued at $350M, as well as the flight instruction operations. Developed command best practices and combat leadership led to USAF Command Instructor of the Year Award.⇨ Designed and administered training facilitation of flight students encompassing syllabus management, forecasting, and enforcement of safety regulations, instructor performance management, and daily coordination with maintenance production.⇨ Logistical plans expert; with no warning, organized/coordinated a full unit move requiring 12 jumbo jets to complete: start-finish 96 hrs.⇨ Redesigned of contract with prime resulting in streamlined syllabus and graduating combat ready students one month faster.

Master'S Degree, Military Studies, With Honors

Activities and Societies: AMU mentor The Master's Degree in Military Studies (Unconventional Warfare) provides a focused curriculum.

Usaf War College, Military And Strategic Leadership, Graduate, Us Military Senior Military Education

The eSchool's Air War College program is a senior developmental education (SDE) program. The SDE/AWC curriculum is based on the five core.

Joint Forces Staff College, Military And Strategic Leadership, Joint Professional Military Education And Certification

Phase II of Joint Professional Military Education completes the process of joint education for officers who qualified as joint qualified.

Air Command And Staff College, Military Operational Art And Science/Studies, Graduate, Us Military Intermediate Professional Military Education

The ACSC resident curriculum is a rigorous 10-month graduate-level program taught through intensive seminars and engaging lectures..

Squadron Officer'S School, Military Operational Art And Science/Studies, Graduate, Us Military Basic Professional Military Education

The SOS in-residence program is a 6.5 week educational experience for USAF captains. The purpose of the program is to help develop.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Political Science And Government

Activities and Societies: Football, ROTC, Ranger Challenge (National Champions Team 1992) The Political Science and government program.

Master Of Arts - Ma, Military Studies