Sean Herlihy
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Special Warfare Operator and Air Force Pararescueman with over 24 years of experience leading and advising global special operations and programs. Experienced tactical and operational level combat leader and proven success conducting complex missions and operations in combat, working in joint, combined, and interagency environments. Led teams of over 150+ personnel with coalition and non-standard partner force aircraft to accomplish no-fail missions with limited guidance and resources. Adept at fostering cross-agency relationships and building partnerships with international partners. Strong background in training, mentoring, and leading elite teams in demanding environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Group Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force
10.2024 - Current
- Led 223 employees across seven organizations, oversees flying operations at the U.S. Air Force Academy and 121 aircraft at two military installations. Provided strategic counsel to senior leaders on the health, welfare, and deliberate development of personnel.
- Managed $10M budget responsibly; optimized allocation of financial resources toward SECAF-directed initiatives without compromising quality or effectiveness.
- Selected among hundreds to attend the Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy and the Joint Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College.
Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force
01.2022 - 09.2024
- Leads, trains, and mentors 75 future Air Force officers and 35 active duty staff members at U.S. Air Force Academy's premier Airmanship program.
- Established strong relationships with external partners to enhance collaboration on joint missions, including PACOM and SOUTHCOM strategic partnerships.
- Worked diligently with HQ Air Force to create a new Air Force Specialty Code, saving over $200K annually.
Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force
05.2020 - 12.2021
- Personnel Recovery (PR) Task Force senior leader in Kabul during the U.S. withdrawal and Operation Allies Refuge. Oversaw Air Force, joint, combined, and commercial aircraft operations and non-traditional PR operations saving thousands of American and partner lives.
- Led 127 Airmen and civilians in the execution of combat mission support operations, including flying operations, intelligence, tactics, advanced communications, and medical teams.
- Mentored squadron senior leaders and drove a culture of accountability, improving interoperability among the Air Force's premier Combat Rescue Group.
- Managed a $5M budget forecasting combat-ready personnel and aircraft for Large forces Exercises, as well as SECDEF-directed global responses and overseas contingency operations.
Chief of Standards and Evaluations/Troop Chief
United States Air Force
11.2016 - 04.2020
- Led, trained, and supervised a 24-member Pararescue team for global special operations and SOTF- Afghanistan integration.
- Operations Superintendent for East Africa special operations unit, directly supervising 28 personnel and achieving strategic objectives for multi-national objectives.
- Selected to lead a squadron of over 60 Air Force Special Warfare Operators as the lead Pararescue Evaluator.
- Responsible for identifying and reporting risk analysis and trend recognition, establishing mitigation measures to ensure safe training and combat operations.
Program Manager
United States Air Force (JSOC)
05.2014 - 10.2016
- Program Lead for Pararescue support to the 75th Ranger Regiment and State Department teams in Afghanistan.
- Led Technical Rescue Specialist integration for the 75th Ranger Regiment during a battalion-sized operation in Eastern Afghanistan, ensuring strike force Combat Search and Rescue capability with 13 separate aircraft.
- Advised commanders and mitigated risk for a 1500-person assault force by authoring layered tactical evacuation and personnel recovery plans, saving more than 50 lives in combat over 96 hours.
Education
Joint Combined Warfighting School
Joint Forces Staff College
Norfolk, VA05-2025
Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy
Joint Special Operations University
MacDill AFB02-2024
Master of Science - Strategic Leadership
University of Charleston
Charleston08-2019
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Operational planning
- Managing classified information
- Tactical Operations
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Personnel Management
Certification
Nationally Registered Paramedic
Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine
UIAA Diploma in Mountain Medicine
Security Clearance
Top Secret/SCI
Timeline
Group Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force
10.2024 - Current
Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force
01.2022 - 09.2024
Squadron Senior Enlisted Leader
United States Air Force
05.2020 - 12.2021
Chief of Standards and Evaluations/Troop Chief
United States Air Force
11.2016 - 04.2020
Program Manager
United States Air Force (JSOC)
05.2014 - 10.2016
Joint Combined Warfighting School
Joint Forces Staff College
Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy
Joint Special Operations University
Master of Science - Strategic Leadership
University of Charleston
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