PERSON: David Deptula

Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Power Studies

Dean

David A. Deptula is the Dean of the Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Power Studies. He is a decorated military leader who transitioned from the U.S. Air Force in 2010 after more than 34 years of service. General Deptula was commissioned in 1974 as a distinguished graduate from The University of Virginia Air Force ROTC program. He is a world-recognized leader and pioneer in conceptualizing, planning, and executing security operations from humanitarian relief to major combat. He has accomplished historic achievements and several “firsts” in the command of joint forces, planning and execution of aerospace power, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and improved international relationships. He was a principal author of the seminal Air Force White Paper “Global Reach—Global Power,,”and is considered the “father” of “effects-based operations” for his application of that concept in building the attack plans for operation Desert Storm.”Deptula fostered the most significant change in the conduct of aerial warfare since Billy Mitchell...Deptula’s framework influenced the successful air campaigns in Operations Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Today, joint targeting cells and Air Force doctrine reflect Deptula’s theory of airpower and the changing nature of warfare.” He has taken part in operations, planning, and joint warfighting at unit, major command, service headquarters and combatant command levels, and also served on two congressional commissions outlining America’s future defense posture.

— Wikipedia