Rickey Walkes
Hampton,VA
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in the United States Air Force, specializing in personnel training and strategic planning. Successfully developed over 1,200 personnel for combat roles while enhancing operational management. Proven ability in decision-making and team leadership, driving mission success and ensuring safety compliance across multiple high-stakes environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Division Senior Enlisted Leader
Headquarters Air Combat Command
Hampton, VA
12.2021 - Current
- Developed and trained over 1,200 personnel for combat and leadership roles.
- Managed career progression and professional development of enlisted force.
- Provided strategic direction to enlisted personnel while advocating for their interests.
- Advised Chief, C2ISR Operations Division on welfare, readiness, discipline, and morale issues.
Functional Area Manager
Headquarters Air Force
Pentagon, Washington DC
08.2019 - 12.2021
- Coordinated with MAJCOMs to clarify Air Staff FAM, Air Force, and Joint guidance.
- Resolved issues and inconsistencies to ensure smooth operations.
- Planned and managed functional area utilization effectively.
- Oversaw all aspects of the planning process for optimal results.
- Understood wartime planning policies impacting functional areas.
- Collaborated with supported and supporting command functional planners.
- Engaged with other FAMs to enhance operational synergy.
Combat Operations Superintendent
609th Air Operations Center
Al Udeid, Qatar
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Managed 183 Joint Manning Authorizations, coordinating with AFCENT-A1 and other military entities.
- Guided execution of $2 billion Combined Air Operations Center weapon system during combat operations.
- Oversaw execution of Air Tasking Orders for 13 combat operations sections supporting four CENTCOM areas.
- Supervised 83 officer and enlisted billets across 16 AFSCs, addressing discipline and welfare issues.
Squadron Superintendent
81st Range Control Squadron
Panama City, FL
03.2017 - 08.2018
- Led 46 personnel in support of DoD's $120M annual Weapon System Evaluation Program with over 330 live-fire missile shots.
- Developed operational policies and procedures to ensure safe and efficient control of military resources exceeding $900M.
- Managed employment and sustainment of $10M Range Control System, $4M C2 system, and $550K Link-16 equipment.
- Advised Squadron Commander on promotion, retention, professional development, and management of 45 enlisted programs.
Superintendent of System Certifications
United States Strategic Command
Colorado Springs, CO
02.2013 - 03.2017
- Anticipated certification issues affecting technical integrity of missile and warning systems.
- Identified certification concerns for future acquisitions and major system upgrades.
- Ensured community representatives addressed issues and pursued timely resolutions.
- Focused on supporting decisions for POTUS and Canadian Prime Minister regarding defense systems.
Superintendent of Standards and Evaluations
728th Air Control Squadron
Eglin AFB, FL
04.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed squadron Standards & Evaluations program while supervising 12 evaluators.
- Reviewed Operations publications and authored unit local supplements identifying trends.
- Supervised unit surveillance identification functions and electronic attack protection.
- Ensured preparation of $40M modular control equipment for theater air control system.
Manager of Air Tasking Order Replan Cell
609th Air Operations Center
Al Udeid, Qatar
02.2010 - 02.2011
- Managed five ATO changes daily, ensuring success of over 25,000 Middle East flying missions.
- Updated ATO replanning checklists to enhance job performance and validate accuracy.
Replanned air refueling requests in support of combat missions and Army troop movements. - Approved theater airlift missions for effective delivery of supplies, personnel, and equipment to three CENTCOM areas of operations.
NCOIC Standards and Evaluations
325th Operations Group
Panama City, FL
08.2008 - 01.2010
- Interpreted public law to guide aircrew and parachutist resource activities.
- Planned, organized, and directed comprehensive resource operations for aircrews.
- Reviewed mission accomplishment reports for accuracy and compliance.
Conducted thorough aircrew interviews to support flight management policies. - Inspected and evaluated production of flight records, files, and reports.
- Assessed completed work and group performance to ensure accountability.
- Recommended enhancements to operations resource management procedures based on reviews.
- Analyzed trends to inform decision-making processes.
Instructor Weapons Technician
325th Air Control Squadron
Panama City, FL
04.2005 - 07.2008
- Facilitated training for 165 officer students annually in Air Battle Manager course.
Assisted students in effective aircraft control using $18M Undergraduate ABM Training System. - Conducted equipment checkouts, including radar scope setup and communication evaluations.
- Coordinated with Southeast U.S. control agencies to ensure timely and safe aircraft operations.
- Instructed 22 weapons technician students, achieving 50% personnel qualification increase.
NCOIC Surveillance Training
606th Air Control Squadron
Spangdahlem, Germany
05.2001 - 04.2005
- Led operations training for unit surveillance program, qualifying 68 personnel through 13 separate credentials.
- Designed and maintained lesson plans and tracking materials for three distinct training phases.
- Executed academic and positional training, overseeing progress checks to maintain high standards.
- Coordinated additional training efforts to support continuous professional development.
Reports Technician
609th Air Operations Center
Sumter, SC
07.1999 - 05.2001
- Produced daily briefings for commander and senior staff regarding Operation Southern Watch and Northern Watch.
- Executed monthly assessments of mission readiness via Status of Resources and Training System reports.
- Merged insights from seven subordinate units to create an integrated capabilities overview.
Education
Master of Science - Organizational Leadership
Argosy
Denver08-2017
Skills
- Personnel training and development
- Strategic planning and leadership
- Operational management and planning
- Project management and execution
- Decision making and problem solving
- Team leadership and building
- Task delegation and mentoring
- Communication skills and monitoring
- Safety compliance and guidelines
- Self-motivation and time management
- Collaboration and teamwork
Accomplishments
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 81st Range Control Squadron SNCO of the Year
2014 C4 Systems STRATCOM J6 SNCO Professional of the Year
2013 C4 Systems STRATCOM J6 SNCO Professional of the Year
2010 609th AOC NCO of the Year
Military Education
2002 Airman Leadership School, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
2009 Associate’s Degree in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL
2012 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, FL
2013 Bachelor of Arts in Management, American Military University, W.VA
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, by correspondence
2016 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, In-residence, Gunter Annex, AL
2017 Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Argosy University, Denver,CO
2019 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
2019 Professional Management Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Gunter Annex, AL
2022 Chief Leadership Course, In-residence, Gunter Annex, AL
Timeline
Division Senior Enlisted Leader
Headquarters Air Combat Command
12.2021 - Current
Functional Area Manager
Headquarters Air Force
08.2019 - 12.2021
Combat Operations Superintendent
609th Air Operations Center
08.2018 - 07.2019
Squadron Superintendent
81st Range Control Squadron
03.2017 - 08.2018
Superintendent of System Certifications
United States Strategic Command
02.2013 - 03.2017
Superintendent of Standards and Evaluations
728th Air Control Squadron
04.2011 - 01.2013
Manager of Air Tasking Order Replan Cell
609th Air Operations Center
02.2010 - 02.2011
NCOIC Standards and Evaluations
325th Operations Group
08.2008 - 01.2010
Instructor Weapons Technician
325th Air Control Squadron
04.2005 - 07.2008
NCOIC Surveillance Training
606th Air Control Squadron
05.2001 - 04.2005
Reports Technician
609th Air Operations Center
07.1999 - 05.2001
Master of Science - Organizational Leadership
Argosy
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