Colonel Michael R. Helms, United States Air Force
Chief of Staff, National Defense University

Colonel Michael R. (Randy) Helms is the Chief of Staff, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. As Chief of Staff, he is the principal advisor to the NDU President on internal management, student administration, morale, welfare, and on the formulation of organizational and management policies.

Colonel Helms is from Idabel, Oklahoma, and is a 1979 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. He has served in numerous operational flying positions, higher headquarters staff capacities, and has completed two overseas tours. His staff experience includes tours on the Air Staff, Joint Staff, Office of Secretary of Defense for Policy, and U.S. Transportation Command. He commanded the 76th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany; 436th Operations Group, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware; and is a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours in the T-39, C-141, TG-7A, C-21, and the C-5. Prior to becoming the NDU Chief of Staff, Colonel Helms was Dean of Students and Chief of Staff of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

EDUCATION

1979 Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy

1985 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

1987 Air Command and Staff College (Seminar)

1988 Master of Arts Materials and Procurement Management, Webster University

1993 Indian Defense Services Staff College, Wellington, India

1993 Master of Science in Military Studies, Madras University, India

1996 Air War College (Seminar)

1999 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces

ASSIGNMENTS

1979-1980 Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams AFB, AZ

1980-1983 T-39 Instructor Aircraft Commander, 1401st MAS, Scott AFB, IL

1983-1986 C-141 Instructor Aircraft Commander, 15th MAS, Norton AFB, CA

1986-1989 Commander (Air Officer Commanding) Cadet Squadron 11 and TG-7A Instructor Pilot, United States Air Force Academy, CO

1989-1992 C-141 Evaluator/Instructor Pilot, Assistant Operations Officer, Charleston AFB, SC

1992-1993 Student, Indian Defense Services Staff College, Wellington, India

1993-1995 Mobility Force Programmer and Planner, Mobility Forces Division, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

1995-1998 Commander/Operations Officer, 76th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany

1998-1999 Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces

1999-2001 Chief, Joint Forces Command Branch, Western Hemisphere Division, J-3 Joint Operations Division, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

2001-2002 Country Director for Iraq, OSD Policy, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

2002-2003 Deputy Commander and Commander, 436th Operations Group, Dover AFB, DE

2003-2005 Chief, Strategic Initiatives Division, J5 Directorate, HQ USTRANSCOM, Scott AFB, IL

2005-2007 Deputy Director, CAPSTONE, NDU, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

2007-2008 Chief of Staff and Dean of Students, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, NDU

2008-Present Chief of Staff, National Defense University, Fort. McNair, Washington, D.C.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

· Defense Superior Meritorious Service Medal

· Defense Meritorious Service Medal

· Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

· Air Medal

· Aerial Achievement Medal

· Joint Service Commendation Medal

· Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

· Air Force Achievement Medal

· Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Command Pilot

Flight hours: 5,000+

Aircraft flown: T-39, C-141, TG-7A, C-21, and the C-5

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant................................. 30 May 1979

Major........................................................1 July 1990

First Lieutenant..................................... 30 May 1981

Lieutenant Colonel...................................1 November 1995

Captain...................................................30 May 1983

Colonel.....................................................1 September 2001