Deputy Chief, MQ-9 Operations Branch

Graham M. Griffith

Yorktown, VA 703-***-**** **************@*****.*** Secret/Top Secret/SCI Clearance

U.S. Air Force (USAF) Captain and Evaluator Pilot with progressive leadership experience in operations management, cross-functional integration, and process improvement. Highly experienced in managing broad-reaching operational and planning projects, focused on current and future state analysis and scenarios. Proven ability to influence key stakeholders, manage multiple and changing priorites, facilitate diverse teams, and provide analysis for key decision making. Seven years of operational flying experience with over 1500 combat hours, coupled with two years on Headquarters Air Combat Command Staff. MBA Candidate with expected graduation in 2022.

Core Competencies

Operational Risk Management Team-Centric Leadership Data Analytics

Relationship Building & Management Problem Solving Written and Verbal Communication

Crisis Response & Decision Making Innovative & Critical Thinking Adapaptablity Under Pressure

Professional Experience

Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC), Langley AFB, VA Sep 2018 – Present

MQ-9 Branch Deputy Chief, Global Combat Operations Manager

Lead MAJCOM MQ-9 Functional Area Manager and SME; sets pace and direction of MQ-9 for ACC, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), and Air National Guard (ANG).

Manages, programs, and sustains $57M operations budget, 380 aircraft, 2,100+ crew members, 405K+ flying hours.

Manages aircrew, maintenance personnel, aircraft, Ground Control Stations, and equipment deployments to satisfy Joint Staff requirements across 8 locations for 5 Combatant Commanders IAW AFI 10-420.

Utilize 8 years of experience in Defense Travel System (DTS) as an Authorizing Official (AO) for the Division, reviewing, authorizing travel, and obligating funds for 15 personnel, $385K budget.

Leads 4-member team in close coordination with the Joint Staff to execute MQ-9 global force management for contingency operations and peacetime support.

Reviews unit readiness status via METs reporting, SORTS, and DRRS to provide analysis and solutions to readiness shortfalls.

Engages weekly with Joint Staff, HAF, Combatant Commands, and operational units to present ACC force posture and adjust requirements as needed.

Liaises with Headquarters Air Force to provide funding, training, and resources to meet the operational requirements of the SecDef

Continually review and revise Designed Operational Capability (DOC) statements and Unit Type Code (UTC) to align unit readiness and CJCS priorities.

ACC MQ-9 SME in coordination with ACC and Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs offices for MQ-9 Foreign Military Sales engagements; identify disconnects and solutions for partner nation MQ-9 program offices.

Coordinates site visit, bed-down logistic plans, base coordination, and operational capacity for starting operations in new theaters.

Alternate representative to the Crisis Action Team (CAT) in response to emergent requirements for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).

Managed 4 AFSOC combat force reclamas by reallocating MAJCOM resources and coordinating for Total Force Integration support; surged ANG MQ-9 combat operations 16%

Solidified FY20 RPA Global Force Management allocation plan by syncing Joint Staff, Combatant Commander, and ACC equities. Established first-ever MQ-9 INDOPACOM Operations.

Piloted CSAF RPA revitalization vision; drove CJCS recommendation and subsequent SecDef decision for MQ-9 dwell, a top ACC Commander objective.

Authored MQ-9 mission re-prioritization, involving a total of 35 Squadrons, 250K flying hours, and $2.36B in resources in order to optimize SecDef ordered FY21 combat tasking.

Forged MQ-9 EUCOM posture; developed POTUS-directed inaugural deployment plan and shaped NATO security priorities.

Facilitated $62M operational flight software merger while solidifying training/transition plans for three MAJCOMs.

Baselined enterprise operations center requirements, set 3 yr/$75M roadmap to sustain 22 systems, cut install timelines 30%

Shaped command training system requirements, delivered $1.5M interactive multimedia instruction to 3.5K combat aircrew.

Resolved Secretary of the Air Force required encryption gap by developing and directing new tactics, techniques, and procedures. for 2.2K aviators. This action mitigated the top Remotely Piloted Aircraft Joint All Domain Command and Control vulnerability.

432 Wing, Creech AFB, NV June 2017 – Sep 2018

Assistant Chief, Wing Weapons and Tactics/MQ-9 Evaluator Pilot

Managed 10 MQ-9 aircrew and intelligence experts, garnering 16 quarterly and annual awards, the highest mark in the squadron.

Synced 23 squadrons flying remotely piloted aircraft in 6 theaters, chaired weekly VTCs, and generated solutions via data analysis.

Revamped combat weapon load for 56 deployed MQ-9, improved weapon to target ratio, preserved $7.8M of scarce munitions.

Generated desired learning objectives for Wing support to Joint Exercises, synced with 23 squadrons across the US for support.

603 Air Operations Center(HQ USAFE/AFAF), Ramstein Air Base, Germany Dec 2016 – May 2017

MQ-9 Liaison Officer

Oversaw all Remotely Piloted Aircraft ops in Europe/Africa, synced 23 organizations to enable 941 missions,11.5K flying hours.

Maximized global MQ-9 utilization, planned and coordinated 76 cross-command shifts in 6 theaters, increasing combat hours 13%

Assisted in planning a POTUS bilateral mission, secured concept of operations execution, facilitated 8 strikes in high-vis op.

451 Air Expeditionary Group, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan Jan 2015 – May 2015

Ops Group Deputy Chief of Standards and Evaluations/Operations Supervisor

Supervised daily combat operations of deployed MQ-9 squadron, managed 30 personnel, 22 aircraft, $448M worth of USAF assets

Set priorities for 3 airframes, managed 78 aircrew readiness in deployed environment, enabled 1.2K missions, 16K combat hours.

Flew 193 missions, trained 25 crews, landed 6 aircraft with time critical emergencies, saved $96M in assets, received flying award.

89 Attack Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, SD May 2014 – Dec 2016

Weapons and Tactics Officer/MQ-9 Instructor Pilot

Led squadron operations in 3 exercises, managed 16 aircrew and support, integrated MQ-9 with US Navy and Marine Corps assets.

Supervised 15 squadron programs, received 100% compliance on inspection, re-aligned squadron programs to meet CSAF vision.

Flew 500+ combat missions, instructed 19 students, increased squadron aircrew 11%, awarded Company Grade Officer of the year.

MQ-9 Formal Flying Training, Holloman AFB, NM Sep 2013-Apr 2014

As a graduate student pilot, regularly managed, scheduled, planned, and reviewed training by utilizing Graduate Training Integration Management System (GTIMS). Rated 2/15 pilots in graduating class.

USAF Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training, Pueblo CO, Randolph AFB, TX Jan-Aug 2013

Top Academic Award

USAF Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, AL Sep-Dec 2012

Distinguished Graduate (Top 10%)

Hanover Insurance Group, Richmond, VA Nov 2011 – June 2012

Associate Auto Adjuster

Responsible for adjusting and settling property and casualty claims associated with auto accidents

Education

The College of William and Mary, Mason School of Business, Williamsburg, VA. 2019-Present

Master of Business Administration, expected graduation May ’22

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

B.S. Health Sciences

Decorations and Awards

Decorations Awards

Aerial Achievement Medal (8) 2020 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award ACC/A3M Nominee

Air Force Commendation Medal (2) 2019 ACC/A3 Company Grade Officer of the Year

Air Force Achievement Medal 2018 ACC/A3 Company Grade Officer of 4th Quarter

Meritorious Unit Award 2018 432 Operations Group Instructor Pilot of the 2nd Quarter

Combat Readiness Medal 2017 89 ATKS Company Grade Officer of the 4th Quarter

National Defense Service Medal 2017 89 ATKS Pilot of the 3rd Quarter

Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2) 2016 432 Wing Officer Aircrew of the 3rd Quarter

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 2016 89 ATKS Officer Aircrew AEW of the 2nd Quarter

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon 2015 89 ATKS Company Grade Officer of the Year

AF Longevity Service

AF Training Ribbon

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