Contents - Airlift/Tanker Association

The Airlift/Tanker Association General Ronald R. Fogleman ASAM Award recognizes the top graduateof the Advanced Studies Of Air Mobility (ASAM) program, an Air Force-sponsored intermediatedevelopmental education program taught at the USAF Expeditionary Center.The award recognizes excellence across a broad range of criteria, includingpeer review, leadership, written and oral presentation ofresearch, academic performance, and physical fitness.2010 A/TA General Ronald R. FoglemanASAM AwardMajor Ian M. FairchildMajor Ian Fairchild is a C-130 evaluator pilot assigned tothe Special Plans and Force Employment Branch, United StatesNorthern Command / North American Aerospace DefenseCommand. He is 34 years old. Major Fairchild was born inBurbank, California, on 23 September 1975. Heattended Taft High School in Woodland Hills,California. After graduating from high school,Major Fairchild attended the United States AirForce Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado,majoring in Management. He received hiscommission in 1997.Upon graduation, Major Fairchild wasassigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,Arizona, where he served as an EC-130Hinstructor pilot and deployed in support ofOperations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQIFREEDOM.In September 2003, he was reassignedto Yokota Air Base, Japan, as a C-130E/Hinstructor and later evaluator pilot. He servedin a variety of jobs at Yokota including WingAirlift Director, Current Operations Chief,and Assistant Director of Operations and deployed in supportof numerous combat and humanitarian operations includingOperation ENDURING FREEDOM and UNIFIED ASSISTANCE.In December 2003, Major Fairchild earned his Masters ofBusiness Administration from the University of Colorado,Colorado Springs. In 2006, Major Fairchild was reassigned toLittle Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, as a formal training unitinstructor and evaluator pilot. Additionally, he held positions asa Squadron Executive Officer, Director of Staff, Assistant Directorof Operations, and Student Support Flight Commander.For his exceptional efforts, he was recognized as the 314thAirlift Wing Technical Training Flight Commander of the Yearand the 714th Training Squadron Field GradeOfficer of the Year. In 2009, Major Fairchild wasreassigned as a student of the Advanced Studiesof Air Mobility, an Air Force intermediatedevelopmental education program at theUnited States Air Force Expeditionary Center,Joint Base MDL, New Jersey.Once again rising to the top, Major Fairchildwas recognized as the Advanced Studies ofAir Mobility General Ronald R. FoglemanAward winner, and an Air Force Institute ofTechnology Distinguished Graduate. He wasalso awarded the Lt Edwin E. Aldrin Sr. Awardfor demonstrating strong personal leadershipand accomplishing the Air Force Institute ofTechnology’s educational objectives in anoutstanding manner, and the Armed ForcesCommunications-Electronics Association’sC4I Research Excellence Award for his research in the area ofelectrical and computer engineering.Upon graduation, Major Fairchild was assigned to Peterson AirForce Base, Colorado, where he currently resides. Major Fairchildis married to the former Nicole Novatski of Colorado Springs,Colorado. Major Fairchild is the recipient of multiple decorationsincluding the Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, MeritoriousService Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.“Remember that our nation’s first great leaderswere also our first great scholars.”–John F. KennedyBy applying academic rigor to formulate options for senior leaders, ASAM students help craft the future of air mobility, according to Center officials. Brig.Gen. Richard Devereaux, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Commander and host of the ASAM program, which is also closely affiliated with the Air ForceInstitute of Technology and AMC, recently noted that “…rarely does research completed in pursuit of an academic degree have the immediate impact on realworld operations comparable to the ASAM Program. Mr. Rudy Becker, Director of the Mobility Operations School, noted the relationship between AFIT andthe Expeditionary Center has “delivered over 230 mobility experts and leaders sorely needed by the joint community.” He went on to note that, “…throughalignment with flag officer research sponsors, ASAM has shaped the thinking on literally every aspect of the mobility arena, from organization and training tocurrent operations.”42 A/TQ • Airlift/Tanker Quarterly • Fall 2010