John M. Trumpfheller is the Director, Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Trumpfheller is responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for developing, integrating and validating Air Force capabilities to achieve national defense objectives and deliver timely and effective operational capabilities to the warfighter.
Mr. Trumpfheller joined the U.S. Air Force in 1990 and retired from the service in 2016 as a colonel. He graduated from San Diego State University and earned a commission through Air Force ROTC. During multiple operational flying assignments, he deployed in support of operations Allied Force, Northern Watch, and Enduring Freedom. Mr. Trumpfheller has held four staff positions including Checkmate Division, Division Chief in Joint Staff, J5, and Air Force Service Planner and Strategy Division Chief. He commanded the 33rd Rescue Squadron and the 651st Air Expeditionary Group at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (Distinguished Graduate), San Diego State University, Calif.
1996 Squadron Officer’s School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1998 U.S. Air Force Weapons School (Distinguished Graduate), Nellis AFB, Nev.
2001 Masters of Aeronautical Science (with Honors), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2002 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2004 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science (Distinguished Graduate), Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Master of Airpower Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Master of National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1990 - May 1991, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Fort Rucker, Ala.
2. June 1991 - September 1991, Student, UH-1N Qualification Course, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
3. October 1991 – April 1994, Life Support Officer and Chief of Safety, 72nd Helicopter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
4. May 1994 - September 1994, Student, HH-60 Qualification Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
5. November 1994 - May 1998, Chief of Scheduling, later, Chief of Plans, 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
6. June 1998 - December 1998, Student, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 1999 - June 2001, Flight Commander, HH-60 Division, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. June 2001 - March 2002, Chief of Operations, AFTTP 3-1 Branch, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. March 2002 - June 2003, Chief, Air and Space Tactics Branch, Nellis AFB, Nev.
10. July 2003 - June 2004, Student Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. July 2004 - June 2005, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. July 2005- January 2007, U.S. Pacific Command/ U.S. Southern Command Branch Chief, CHECKMATE Division, Defensive Counterspace Air and Space Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. February 2007 – June 2007, Chief of Safety, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan
14. June 2007- June 2009, Commander, 33 Rescue Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
15. August 2009- June 2010, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
16. June 2010-June 2012, Chief, Arabian Peninsula Division, Joint Staff, J-5, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
17. June 2012-June 2013, Commander, 651st Air Expeditionary Group, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
18. June 2013- Sep 2014, Planner for Joint And National Security Council Matters, DCS Air and Space Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
19. Sep 2014- June 2016, Strategy Division Chief, DCS Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
20. October 2016 – February 2019, Deputy Director, Strategic Plans, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
21. February 2019 – January 2020, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
22. February 2020- May 2020, Tech Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration, and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
23. June 2020 – present, Director, Operational Capability Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight Hours: more than 3,400
Aircraft Flown: HH-60G, HC-130, UH-1N, and UH-1H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Civilian Meritorious Civilian Service
Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
(Current as of June 2020)