Michael “Shayne” Sheehy, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director, Future Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. As the Director, Mr. Sheehy is responsible for the central authority of operational planning, strategy development and the integration of air power capabilities to enhance warfighter readiness through the execution of large-scale exercises, integrated air and missile defense, operational tests and providing the Air Force enterprise with world-class strategists to support the Joint Force.
Prior to this assignment, he was the Deputy Director for Headquarters Air Force Checkmate Directorate where he provided air, space and cyberspace expertise directly supporting the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force and air component commanders worldwide. Mr. Sheehy provided Air Force leadership with operational planning and strategic analysis for the effective employment of air power with joint warfighting capabilities to combatant commanders.
Mr. Sheehy began his service in 1987 as a B-52 Aerial Defensive Gunner where he graduated as “Top Gun” in his class. After his time on the B-52, he crossflowed into air traffic control. As a career operational Airman, his assignments include duties at flying units, operations groups, air expeditionary wings, staff of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, military education, as well as directly supporting operational, training and test missions at various wings.
EDUCATION
Senior Executive Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School for Government, Cambridge, Mass.
Master of Science, National Security Strategy, National War College, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
Master of Science, Project Management (Distinction), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Bachelor of Aeronautical Science (Summa cum Laude), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1987–1990, B-52 Aerial Defensive Gunner, 441st Bomb Squadron, Mather Air Force Base, Calif.
2. 1990–1991, B-52 Aerial Defensive Gunner, 97th Operations Support Squadron, Eaker AFB, Ark.
3. 1991–1992, Air Traffic Controller, 97th OSS, Eaker AFB, Ark.
4. 1992–1994, Air Traffic Controller, 57th OSS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. 1994–1996, Air Traffic Control Automation Specialist, 57th OSS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. 1996–2005, Chief, Air Traffic Control Automation and Terminal Procedures, 57th OSS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. 2005–2008, Flight Deputy Flight Director (acting), Airfield Operations, 57th OSS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. 2008–2013, Director of Staff, 57th Operations Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. 2013-2014, Wing Executive Officer, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
10. 2014–2016, Director of Staff, 57th Operations Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
11. 2016–2017, Deputy Director, 57th OG, Nellis AFB, Nev.
12. 2017–2018, Airpower Strategist, Checkmate Directorate, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. 2018–2020, Deputy Division Chief, Eurasia-Americas, Checkmate, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
14. 2020–2021, Student, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
15. 2021–2025, Deputy Director, Checkmate Directorate, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
16. October 2025–present, Director, Future Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
2x Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
(Current as of February 2026)