Randall G. Walden, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director and Program Executive Officer for the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Washington, D.C. He directs selected study, development and fielding activities tasked directly by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations and the Assistant Secretary for the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. The Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office has been responsible for development and deployment of significant upgrades to the Integrated Air Defense System now operational around the National Capital Region and the launch and experimental operations of the X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle. Other responsibilities include technical integration of Department of Defense classified activities, and the representation of these activities to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Congress and the White House.
Mr. Walden graduated from Christopher Newport College, Newport News, Virginia, in 1982. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force the same year and served as a flight test engineer with Air Force Material Command at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland, and Nellis AFB, Nevada. During his tours as a flight test engineer, Mr. Walden participated in the development, ground and flight-testing of numerous aerospace weapon systems. He holds a master non-rated aircrew badge.
Mr. Walden retired from active duty in 2002 with more than 20 years of military experience as an acquisition and technical professional. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2002, serving on the Air Staff as the Director for Information Dominance Programs, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) and Director, Air Force Test and Evaluation, prior to his current position.
EDUCATION
1982 Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Christopher Newport College, Newport News, Va.
1984 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, Parks College of St. Louis University, Cahokia, Ill.
1987 Flight Test Engineer Course, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
1989 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1991 Master of Science, Engineering Management, Florida Institute of Technology, Patuxent River, Md.
1996 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
1997 Advanced Program Manager Course, Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Va.
2003 Senior Executive Service Seminar, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1982 - 1984, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Parks College of St. Louis University, Cahokia, Ill.
2. 1984 - 1989, Flight Test Engineer, F-16 Combined Test Force, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
3. 1989 - 1992, Lead Avionics Flight Test Engineer, V-22 Multi-Service Test Team, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
4. 1992 - 1997, Operations Officer and Flight Test Program Manager, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. 1997 - 1998, Classified Flight Test Squadron Commander, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. 1998 - 1999, Deputy Chief, Advanced Technology Division, Directorate of Special Programs, Office of the
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
7. 1999 - 2002, Chief, Special Studies Division, Air Force Red Team, Directorate of Special Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
8. 2002 - 2003, Technical Director, Directorate of Special Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
9. 2003 - 2009, Technical Director, Special Programs, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
10. 2009 - 2009, Deputy and Technical Director, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.
11. 2009 - 2013, Director, Information Dominance Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
12. 2013 - 2014, Director, Air Force Test and Evaluation, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
13. 2014 - present, Director and Program Executive Officer, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Meritorious Senior Professional Presidential Rank Award
2017 Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Society of Flight Test Engineers
(Current as of June 2020)