Richard Payne Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

In my role as Deputy Director Air and Space ISR Directorate at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security, I oversee the development and implementation of DoD policy, strategy, guidance, and resources for air and space ISR capabilities. I managed a merger of three teams to establish a new directorate, led stakeholder engagements to produce a modernization strategy, and communicated the strategy to senior leaders and congressional staff.

Pentagon, Washington D.C.

As the Chief of Airborne ISR at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security, I conducted stakeholder engagements and oversaw DoD airborne intelligence programs to ensure alignment with the National Defense Strategy. I led multiple department focus teams to advocate for air and space ISR capability investments, identifying and resolving a $1.5M shortfall within a service program to maintain program integrity.

As a Naval Flight Officer in the US Navy, I led the management of advanced aircraft systems, navigation, electronic warfare, and weapons. Expert in mission tactics planning and coordination, I achieved success through strategic decision-making and effective sensor employment. Qualified EP-3E Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI).

Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.

Military base Commanding Officer. Managed a deep-draft port facility, and military airfield. Led over 2,000 military, civilian, and contract employees across 15 partner organizations. Served as the regional coordinator and designated U.S. defense representative to the British Indian Ocean Territory.• Prioritized and oversaw execution of base infrastructure projects within a complex base operating support contract, valued at over $62 million annually, ensuring vital logistics missions… Show more Military base Commanding Officer. Managed a deep-draft port facility, and military airfield. Led over 2,000 military, civilian, and contract employees across 15 partner organizations. Served as the regional coordinator and designated U.S. defense representative to the British Indian Ocean Territory.• Prioritized and oversaw execution of base infrastructure projects within a complex base operating support contract, valued at over $62 million annually, ensuring vital logistics missions remained operational.• Led a coordinated, all-island humanitarian crisis response from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for three separate at sea rescues, medical care, and 9-months of follow-on support of 173 refugees.• Partnered with host nation representatives and medical experts regarding alignment of policy initiatives, local ordinances, and Navy directives ensuring a 100% COVID free environment and population at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining full operational capability of the base. Show less

Washington D.C.

Senior Military Fellow assigned to the RAND National Security Research Division, providing research support to projects in the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI) and Project Air Force (PAF), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).• Research contributor for published Air Force Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming study.Vedula, Padmaja, Abbie Tingstad, Lance Menthe, Karishma R. Mehta, Jonathan Roberts, Robert A. Guffey, Natalie W. Crawford, Brad A… Show more Senior Military Fellow assigned to the RAND National Security Research Division, providing research support to projects in the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI) and Project Air Force (PAF), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).• Research contributor for published Air Force Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming study.Vedula, Padmaja, Abbie Tingstad, Lance Menthe, Karishma R. Mehta, Jonathan Roberts, Robert A. Guffey, Natalie W. Crawford, Brad A. Bemish, Richard Payne, and Erik Schuh, Outsmarting Agile Adversaries in the Electromagnetic Spectrum. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2023. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA981-1.html• Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC) Public Policy Fellow studying scientific, technological, legal, and historical background of nuclear policy issues. Show less

Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Provided policy analysis, requirements definition, resourcing, programming and budgeting for Navy Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and systems through the DoD Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and Planning, Programming, Budget and Execution (PPBE) acquisition processes.• Subject Matter Expert for the Navy Maritime ISR transition strategy. Communicated and guided the plan through Navy, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense… Show more Provided policy analysis, requirements definition, resourcing, programming and budgeting for Navy Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and systems through the DoD Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) and Planning, Programming, Budget and Execution (PPBE) acquisition processes.• Subject Matter Expert for the Navy Maritime ISR transition strategy. Communicated and guided the plan through Navy, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Congressional Staffs ensuring advocacy and support.• Coordinated a $575M future programming across two resource sponsors delineating requirements and funding responsibilities for the Navy Special Mission Aircraft ensuring program wholeness.• Coordinated the internal reprogramming of $6M in end-of-year procurement funds for aircraft upgrades increasing capability and providing continued surrogate testing of new systems for follow-on platforms. Show less

Nas Whidbey Island, Wa

Led the Navy’s largest operational squadron of over 600 military and civilian personnel operating continuously deployed reconnaissance aircraft conducting worldwide intelligence collection.• Led the alignment, integration and execution of continuous training, aircraft maintenance and flight operations across five globally dispersed locations for 16 mission aircraft and 12 aircrews flying over 15,000 hours. Squadron recognized with the Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) award for demonstrating… Show more Led the Navy’s largest operational squadron of over 600 military and civilian personnel operating continuously deployed reconnaissance aircraft conducting worldwide intelligence collection.• Led the alignment, integration and execution of continuous training, aircraft maintenance and flight operations across five globally dispersed locations for 16 mission aircraft and 12 aircrews flying over 15,000 hours. Squadron recognized with the Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) award for demonstrating exceptional readiness and efficiency throughout the year.• Successfully coordinated the fielding of a major ISR aircraft upgrade across a fleet of 16 aircraft, the training of 150 aircrew, management of deployment schedules and operational testing while maintaining Naval Aviation readiness requirements and full operational capability.• Developed and implemented a deployment model for limited manning during aircraft retirement and transition ensuring 100% mission accomplishment. Show less

Nas Whidbey Island

Macdill Afb, Tampa Fl

• Managed joint mobile training team projects for USSOCOM, providing course development and exercise planning to meet training objectives.• Led U.S. advanced team in a multi-national Special Operations exercise, fostering cooperation across 11 partner nations.• Collaborated with foreign military partners to ensure interoperability and build functional capacity.

Manama, Bahrain

In my role as Operations Officer at Task Force FIFTY-SEVEN (CTF 57) / U.S. FIFTH Fleet in Manama, Bahrain, I led a team of 14 personnel in coordinating airborne maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions across the Central Command Area of Responsibility. I maintained relationships with foreign military partners to ensure mission support and successfully coordinated the reestablishment of a forward operating location, increasing on-station times by 25%.

Nas Whidbey Island, Wa

In my role as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Maintenance Officer Department Head at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1) in NAS Whidbey Island, WA, I was responsible for developing tactics and providing advanced training to aircrews in signals intelligence collection and electronic warfare. Additionally, I led the maintenance department, ensuring the readiness, safety, and productivity of over 200 maintenance personnel in the maintenance of 16 squadron aircraft and mission… Show more In my role as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Maintenance Officer Department Head at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1) in NAS Whidbey Island, WA, I was responsible for developing tactics and providing advanced training to aircrews in signals intelligence collection and electronic warfare. Additionally, I led the maintenance department, ensuring the readiness, safety, and productivity of over 200 maintenance personnel in the maintenance of 16 squadron aircraft and mission systems. Our squadron was recognized with the 2010 AVCM Donald M. Neal Aircraft Maintenance Award (Golden Wrench) for excellence in maintenance. Show less

Naval Station Bremerton, Wa

In my role as Assistant Strike Operations Officer on USS JOHN C. STENNIS, I led a team in planning and coordinating carrier air wing strike operations. I ensured seamless operational integration and coordination across all ship departments, developing strong leadership and communication skills in a high-pressure environment.

Nas Jacksonville, Fl

Instructed student naval aviators and flight officers in advanced flight training at Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) in NAS Jacksonville, FL. Developed new course curriculum to improve training outcomes and ensure readiness for operational missions.

Nas Whidbey Island, Wa

Planned, trained and conducted world-wide airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Led a maintenance division of 70 personnel in the maintenance of 6 squadron airframes and mission systems. Served as a squadron schedules officer; planning and publishing the daily flight schedule for over 200 officers and aircrew.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), History

Activities and Societies: Texas A&M Class of '97. Corps of Cadets Company K-2. Texas A&M Flying Club. Student

Master Of Arts (Ma), National Security Affairs And Strategic Studies

Activities and Societies: Halsey advanced research program Graduate Student