The <strong>Airlift</strong>/<strong>Tanker</strong> <strong>Association</strong> General Ronald R. Fogleman ASAM Award recognizes <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p graduate of<strong>the</strong> Advanced Studies Of Air Mobility (ASAM) program, an Air Force-sponsored intermediatedevelopmental education program taught at <strong>the</strong> USAF Expeditionary Center.The award recognizes excellence across a broad range of criteria,including peer review, leadership, written and oral presentationof research, academic performance, and physical fitness.2011 A/<strong>TA</strong> General Ronald R. FoglemanASAM AwardMajor Phillip SheaMajor Phillip Shea is a C-17 evalua<strong>to</strong>r pilot assigned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>Global Power Programs Direc<strong>to</strong>rate, Secretary of <strong>the</strong> Air ForceAcquisitions. He is 35 years old. Major Shea was born in WarnerRobins, Georgia. He attended Zion Ben<strong>to</strong>n Township HighSchool in Zion, Illinois. After graduating fromhigh school, Major Shea attended <strong>the</strong> Universityof Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, majoring inCivil Engineering. He received his commissionthrough <strong>the</strong> Air Force ROTC program in 1997.Upon graduation, Major Shea was assigned <strong>to</strong>Hurlburt Field, Florida, where he served as a civilengineering officer. He was selected <strong>to</strong> attend pilottraining in August 2000, and completed undergraduatepilot training at Laughlin Air ForceBase, Texas, where he was a Distinguished Graduateand was awarded <strong>the</strong> Flying Training Awardand <strong>the</strong> Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’sTrophy for his performance.In Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2001, Major Shea was assigned <strong>to</strong>Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he was a C-9Aaircraft commander and executive officer flyingmissions in support of Operations NORTHERNand SOUTHERN WATCH as well as Operation ENDURING FREE-DOM. He was reassigned <strong>to</strong> McChord Air Force Base, Washing<strong>to</strong>n,as a C-17A instruc<strong>to</strong>r and evalua<strong>to</strong>r pilot in August 2003. MajorShea flew and commanded combat missions and deployed in suppor<strong>to</strong>f Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.He served in a variety of positions at McChord including FlightCommander, Wing Flight Safety Officer, Assistant OperationsOfficer, and Squadron Chief of Standardization and Evaluations.His superior efforts were recognized with his selection as <strong>the</strong> 62dAir Wing Staff Company Grade Officer of <strong>the</strong> Year in 2005.In December 2007, Major Shea was reassigned <strong>to</strong> Altus AirForce Base, Oklahoma, as a formal training unitinstruc<strong>to</strong>r and evalua<strong>to</strong>r. Major Shea was an AssistantDirec<strong>to</strong>r of Operations and later, Chief of<strong>the</strong> Wing Commander’s Action Group. For hisexceptional efforts, he was recognized as <strong>the</strong> 97thAir Mobility Wing’s 2008 Field Grade Officer of<strong>the</strong> Year.In 2010, Major Shea was reassigned as a studen<strong>to</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Advanced Studies of Air Mobility, an AirForce intermediate developmental education programat <strong>the</strong> United States Air Force ExpeditionaryCenter, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NewJersey. While <strong>the</strong>re he earned a Master of Sciencein Logistics from <strong>the</strong> Air Force Institute of Technology.Once again rising <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p, Major Sheawas recognized as a Distinguished Graduate and<strong>the</strong> Advanced Studies of Air Mobility GeneralRonald R. Fogleman Award winner. Major Sheawas assigned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pentagon, Washing<strong>to</strong>n D.C., where he currentlyresides.Major Shea is married <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> former Kathryn Dermody of Zion,Illinois. They have three children: Claire, Madeline, and Colin.Major Shea is <strong>the</strong> recipient of multiple decorations including <strong>the</strong>Meri<strong>to</strong>rious Service Medal, <strong>the</strong> Air Medal, Aerial AchievementMedal, and Air Force Commendation and Achievement Medals.“Remember that our nation’s first great leaderswere also our first great scholars.”–John F. KennedyBy applying academic rigor <strong>to</strong> formulate options for senior leaders, ASAM students help craft <strong>the</strong> future of air mobility, according <strong>to</strong> Center officials. MajGenWilliam J. Bender, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Commander and host of <strong>the</strong> ASAM program, which is also closely affiliated with <strong>the</strong> Air Force Instituteof Technology and AMC, recently noted that “The mission of <strong>the</strong> Expeditionary Center is built upon <strong>the</strong> following pillars: Pride, Preparation, Professionalismand Patriotism,” Mr. Rudy Becker, Direc<strong>to</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> Mobility Operations School, noted <strong>the</strong> relationship between AFIT and <strong>the</strong> Expeditionary Center has “delivered(hundreds of) mobility experts and leaders sorely needed by <strong>the</strong> joint community.” He went on <strong>to</strong> note that, “…through alignment with flag officer researchsponsors, ASAM has shaped <strong>the</strong> thinking on literally every aspect of <strong>the</strong> mobility arena, from organization and training <strong>to</strong> current operations.”48A/TQ • <strong>Airlift</strong>/<strong>Tanker</strong> Quarterly • Fall 2011
A/TQ • <strong>Airlift</strong>/<strong>Tanker</strong> Quarterly • Fall 201149
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