Gordon M. Ettenson, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Deputy Director, Policy, Programs and Strategy, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Mr. Ettenson assists the Director to develop and implement national, Department of Defense and Air Force policies governing security assistance, international armaments cooperative development, foreign disclosure, and third party and international technical transfer initiatives. Additionally, he manages military and civilian personnel exchange programs, the USAF International Affairs career field, and the Air Force’s Air Attache program.
During more than 26 years of military service, Mr. Ettenson spent 22 in a broad range of Air Force and joint operational, staff and command positions in special operations. Ten of those years were in assignments throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Chief of Special Operations, Pacific Air Forces; Commander, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron; and Deputy Commander, 353rd Special Operations Group. He later commanded the 43rd Operations Group, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and concluded his active-duty career as Chief, Special Operations Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Following his military retirement, Mr. Ettenson first served as a commercial international business consultant. He then provided nine years of defense consulting support to the U.S. Special Operations Command, the Department of Defense and other agencies in the development of concepts, policies and doctrine for special operations, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and irregular warfare. He also designed and conducted wargames, simulations and experimentation efforts related to operational analysis and capability assessments. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2010 where he served first as Director, Irregular Warfare, and then almost five years as the USAF Deputy Director of Operations and Readiness.
EDUCATION
1974 Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/International Affairs, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1976 Master of Arts degree in Political Science/International Affairs/Comparative Defense Policy, University of Pittsburgh, Pa.
1977 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1982 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1988 Air War College, by correspondence,
1989 Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
1996 Fellow, Australian College of Defense and Strategic Studies, Canberra, Australia
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 1974 - April 1975, student, undergraduate navigator training, Mather AFB, Calif.
2. May 1975 - August 1975, navigator, 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
3. September 1975 - May 1976, student, University of Pittsburgh, Pa.
4. June 1976 - September 1979, instructor navigator, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. September 1979 - May 1980, Air Staff Training officer, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Studies and Analyses, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
6. June 1980 - May 1982, instructor navigator and special plans officer, 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Clark AB, Philippines
7. June 1982 - May 1985, Chief, Special Operations Division, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
8. June 1985 - May 1988, assistant operations officer, 8th Special Operations Squadron, then Chief, Special Plans Division, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
9. June 1988 - January 1989, student, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
10. January 1989 - June 1992, Chief, Joint Tactics Branch, Doctrine and Tactics Division, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.
11. July 1992 - December 1995, operations officer, 1st Special Operations Squadron; Commander, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron; and Deputy Commander, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan
12. January 1996 - December 1996, exchange officer, Australian College of Defense and Strategic Studies, Canberra, Australia
13. April 1997 - May 1999, Commander, 43rd Operations Group, Pope AFB, N.C.
14. May 1999 - January 2001, Chief, Special Operations Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
15. November 2000 - October 2001, international business consultant, Mercuri-Urval, Arlington, Va.
16. October 2001 - June 2010, Senior Associate, Booz, Allen, Hamilton, McLean, Va.
17. June 2010 - November 2010, Director, Irregular Warfare, Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
18. November 2010 - April 2015, Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
19. April 2015 - present, Deputy Director, Policy, Programs and Strategy, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
(Current as of July 2015)