Maj. Gen. Robert M. Blake serves as the Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He serves as the Chief’s senior adviser on Reserve matters and assists with the organization, training and equipping of 689,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.
Maj. Gen. Blake earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and received his commission in May 1994 as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School. After completing Undergraduate Pilot Training, he flew the C-141 B/C Starlifter for nine years at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, before converting to the KC-135R Stratotanker. He has also flown the C-130H2 Hercules and served as Airborne Emergency Action Officer on the Looking Glass Airborne Nuclear Command Post. He has amassed more than 4,500 flying hours in military aircraft including combat sorties in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 1996, Maj. Gen. Blake was designated a member of the Department of Defense Acquisition Professional Community while in his previous civilian occupation as an Aerospace Engineer for the Naval Air Systems Command. In his civilian occupation, the general is a pilot for a major airline. Prior to his current assignment, he served as Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science, Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
1994 Distinguished Graduate, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1998 Master of Science, Technology Management, University of Maryland University College, College Park
2002 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2014 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2015 Director of Mobility Forces Course, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2016 Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
2016 Air Force Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C.
2020 NATO Senior Officer Policy Course, NATO School Oberammergau, Germany
2023 Advanced Senior Leader Development Seminar, Warrenton, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1994–May 1994, Cadet, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2. May 1994–July 1994, Pilot Candidate, 756th Airlift Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md.
3. July 1994–July 1995, Student Pilot, 8th and 25th Flying Training Squadrons, Vance AFB, Okla.
4. July 1995–October 1995, Student, C-141 B Pilot Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
5. October 1995–March 1999, C-141 B/C Pilot, 756th Airlift Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md.
6. March 1999–March 2002, C-141C Aircraft Commander, 756th Airlift Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md.
7. March 2002–April 2004, C-141C Instructor Aircraft Commander, 756th AS, Andrews AFB, Md. (October 2003–April 2004, Stage Manager, C-141C Aeromedical Evacuation Stage, Ramstein Air Base, Germany)
8. April 2004–June 2004, Student, KC-135R Aircraft Commander Initial Qualification Course, McConnell AFB, Kan.
9. June 2004–December 2005, KC-135R Aircraft Commander, 756th Air Refueling Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md.
10. December 2005–September 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Flight Commander and KC-135R Instructor Pilot, 756th Air Refueling Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md.
11. September 2011–April 2012, Chief of Exercise Plans, Flight Commander and KC-135R Instructor Pilot, 756th Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
12. April 2012–September 2013, Commander, 756th Air Refueling Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.
13. September 2013–April 2014, Deputy Commander, 459th Operations Group, JB Andrews, Md.
14. April 2014–June 2015, Inspector General, 440th Airlift Wing, Pope Field, N.C.
15. June 2015–May 2016, Vice Commander, 440th AW, Pope Field, N.C.
16. May 2016–Sept 2016, Vice Commander, 440th AW and Commander, 440th Mission Support Group, Pope Field, N.C.
17. October 2016–July 2018, Deputy Chief, Strategic Assessments Division, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
18. July 2018–December 2019, Vice Commander, 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.
19. December 2019–February 2022, Mobilization Assistant to Director of Current Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
20. February 2022–December 2023, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
21. December 2023–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Ratings: command pilot and parachutist
Flight hours: more than 4,500
Military aircraft flown: T-41, T-37, T-38, C-141 B/C, KC-135R, C-130H2
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
(Current as of April 2024)