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Randall G. Walden
Member of the Senior Executive Service
Director and Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office
Randall G. Walden, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Director and Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. He directs selected study, development and fielding activities tasked directly by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Assistant Secretary for the Air Force for Acquisition. 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 AFB, 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, 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
- 1982 – 1984, student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Parks College of St. Louis University, Cahokia, Ill.
- 1984 – 1989, flight test engineer, F-16 Combined Test Force, Edwards AFB, Calif.
- 1989 – 1992, lead avionics flight test engineer, V-22 Multi-Service Test Team, Patuxent River NAS, Md.
- 1992 – 1997, operations officer and flight test program manager, Nellis AFB, Nev.
- 1997 – 1998, classified flight test squadron commander, Nellis AFB, Nev.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2002 – 2003, Technical Director, Directorate of Special Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2009 – 2013, Director, Information Dominance Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
- 2013 – 2014, Director, Air Force Test and Evaluation, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- 2014 – present, Director and Program Executive Officer, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Aerial Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- 2007 Meritorious Senior Professional Presidential Rank Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Society of Flight Test Engineers
(Current as of December 2015)
Vice Admiral G. Dean Peters
Commander
Naval Air Systems Command
Vice Admiral Dean Peters assumed responsibilities as Commander, Naval Air Systems Command in May 2018.
VADM Peters is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Peters has earned post-graduate degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Telecommunications and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Class 102.
After earning his wings as a naval aviator in 1986, he flew the SH-2F Seasprite in support of multiple detachments deployed to the North Atlantic, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Mexico, completing anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and counter-narcotics operations embarked on four different ship classes. He served as detachment officer-in-charge aboard USS Thomas C. Hart (FF 1092).
As commanding officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21, the squadron accomplished over 11,000 flight test hours and was the 2006 recipient of the CNO Safety Award.
Peters has served in numerous acquisition billets. From Nov. 2007 through July 2011, Peters served as program manager for the H-60 Helicopters Program Office (PMA-299), delivering over 150 helicopters, numerous upgrades, and supporting the first three carrier strike group deployments of the MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawks. From Aug. 2011 to July 2014, Peters commanded the Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274), leading the program through Milestone B and contract award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Program.
Peters’ flag assignments include commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division; assistant NAVAIR Commander for Research and Engineering; and program executive officer, Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)).
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