Andrew Leader
Cicero,NY
Summary
Highly-experienced Senior RPA pilot. Logged 1,874 total hours and 985 sorties. 95 hours MQ-9, mostly L/R. 1,693 hours MQ-1. 436 instructor hours (MQ-1: 279 flight, 157 sim). Relevant L/R experience: KAF Apr-Aug 2013 (MQ-1), 49 WG Safety Jun 2016 - Jan 2017 (MQ-1), 489 ATKS Oct 2020 - Aug 2023 (MQ-9), ADAB July 2022 - Jan 2023 (MQ-9). Diverse military career as an engineer, test manager, safety guru, and pilot. Active TS/SCI Clearance. FAA Private ASEL since 2009.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Operations/MQ-9 Pilot
489th Attack Squadron/US Air Force
10.2020 - 08.2023
- Assisted the Director of Operations in the planning, coordination, and execution of MQ-9 operations at the USAF's largest Launch and Recovery squadron.
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with unit mission objectives.
- Revamped MQT and Instructor Upgrade syllabi to align with realistic deployed LRE responsibilities, to include weapons preflight.
Commander, 62d Expeditionary Attack Squadron
380th Air Expeditionary Wing/US Air Force
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Led 110 aircrew, maintenance, and quality assurance personnel supporting 10 Mission Control Element squadrons for the world's largest Launch and Recovery site.
- Managed 22 MQ-9 aircraft in support of 8 daily combat lines, generating 20K flight hours over 1,100 combat sorties.
- Orchestrated USMC-USAF divert demonstration, validating inter-service interoperability, and boosting survivability for 3 LRE sites/26 aircraft worth $494M.
- Resolved 3-month contract dispute, restoring signals intelligence combat effectiveness for a vital counter-terrorism mission.
- Directed extreme hot weather ops exercise. Developed procedures to reduce hot weather sortie cancellations by 90%.
- Led training of 7 MCE squadrons in SATCOM L/R operations, conducting 75 observe events and 15 live takeoffs and landings by MCE crews.
Director of Operations/MQ-9 Pilot
436th Training Squadron/US Air Force
11.2019 - 10.2020
- Directed ops for ACC's formal training schoolhouse. Led 2 officers, 24 enlisted, and 5 civilians across 17 specialties.
- Supervised over 1,700 Joint/Total Force students. Advised ACC/A3 on status/direction of 17 formal courses
- Oversaw production of USAF training videos in a $3.5M state-of-the-art multimedia facility with a $1.5M budget.
ACC Flight Safety Instructor/MQ-9 Pilot
436th Training Squadron/US Air Force
02.2017 - 10.2019
- ACC's sole Flight Safety Instructor, certified by the Air Force Safety Center to teach Flight Safety Program Management (FSPM/ASPM), and the Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course (AMIC).
- Over 2,000 classroom instructor hours graduating/certifying 1,071 DoD safety professionals.
Flight Safety Officer/MQ-1B Instructor Pilot
49th Wing/US Air Force
06.2016 - 01.2017
- Conducted regular safety inspections and audits to identify potential hazards and prevent accidents and injuries.
- Conducted safety training and education to employees to increase awareness of safety hazards and empower employees to work safely.
- Inspected worksites, practices, and gear for compliance with established safety standards.
- Developed and implemented safety policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for safe work practices and comply with regulations.
Flight Commander/MQ-1B Instructor Pilot
6th Reconnaissance Squadron/US Air Force
10.2014 - 05.2016
- Managed professional growth and development of 18 officer and enlisted personnel.
- Assessed individual skills of team and delegated daily tasks based on strengths.
- Logged 436 instructor hours (279 flight, 157 sim)
MQ-1B Instructor Pilot
18th Reconnaissance Squadron/US Air Force
02.2013 - 09.2014
- Adjusted and aligned course material to meet individual needs.
- Created instructional material and training syllabi for specific areas of ground and flight training.
- Led multiple training flights to include weather briefings, flight scheduling and safety measures to provide safe flights in both training and combat environments.
MQ-1B Pilot
18th Reconnaissance Squadron/US Air Force
10.2010 - 01.2013
- Performed comprehensive checklists during all phases of flight to reduce possible safety issues.
- Flew national and international routes covering different countries and complied with flight rules in each location.
- Launch and Recovery deployment to Kandahar Airfield | April-August 2013.
Developmental Engineer/Test Manager
846th Test Squadron/US Air Force
06.2006 - 09.2010
- Managed cost, schedule, and performance of national-level, multi-million-dollar Department of Defense and Department of Energy tests at the Holloman High Speed Test Track.
- Coordinated with design engineering, drafting, metalworking, manufacturing, explosives, and operations experts to design test delivery vehicles and methods to meet customer test needs and weapons system validation requirements.
Education
MBA -
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM08.2010
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Saint Louis University
St Louis, MO05.2006
Skills
- Excellent communications skills (verbal and written)
- Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, 365) and Adobe Acrobat
- Knowledge of publications and regulations
- Critical Thinking
- Recordkeeping and Report Writing
- Mission Planning
Timeline
Commander, 62d Expeditionary Attack Squadron
380th Air Expeditionary Wing/US Air Force
07.2022 - 01.2023
Assistant Director of Operations/MQ-9 Pilot
489th Attack Squadron/US Air Force
10.2020 - 08.2023
Director of Operations/MQ-9 Pilot
436th Training Squadron/US Air Force
11.2019 - 10.2020
ACC Flight Safety Instructor/MQ-9 Pilot
436th Training Squadron/US Air Force
02.2017 - 10.2019
Flight Safety Officer/MQ-1B Instructor Pilot
49th Wing/US Air Force
06.2016 - 01.2017
Flight Commander/MQ-1B Instructor Pilot
6th Reconnaissance Squadron/US Air Force
10.2014 - 05.2016
MQ-1B Instructor Pilot
18th Reconnaissance Squadron/US Air Force
02.2013 - 09.2014
MQ-1B Pilot
18th Reconnaissance Squadron/US Air Force
10.2010 - 01.2013
Developmental Engineer/Test Manager
846th Test Squadron/US Air Force
06.2006 - 09.2010
MBA -
New Mexico State University
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Saint Louis University
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