Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Francis Saavedra

Francis Saavedra

Communications And Cyber Defense
Hutschenhausen

Summary

Accomplished leader with a distinguished career at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, adept in project and operations management. Spearheaded the establishment of a defensive cyber unit, enhancing cyber posture and operational efficiency. Expert in leading cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional mentorship and strategic direction. Skilled in integrating cyber capabilities, with a focus on achieving mission success.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certificate

Work History

DOD SkillBridge Program Intern

Tyto Athene
09.2024 - Current
  • Supported business unit operations and business development through workflow analysis, strategic planning, and proposal drafting. Gained expertise in systems integration, enhanced client solutions, and built rapport with senior leadership through cross-functional collaboration and CTO-led training in a defense contracting environment.
  • Contributed to an after-action review of a major IT systems opportunity, improving solution modeling processes, and supported the capture team by developing whitepapers on network, cybersecurity, and cyber defense, enhancing strategic positioning for military-focused business development.
  • Fostered strategic relationships by connecting senior executives with USAF and USSF cyber and communications leaders across major commands, while co-developing a quick-reference guide to streamline opportunity identification and enhance decision-making in business development efforts.

Director, Cyberspace Forces

U.S. Air Forces In Europe – Air Forces Africa
10.2021 - 09.2024
  • Served as primary advisor and key point of contact for real-time situational awareness of comprehensive cyberspace operations within the Joint Forces Air Component Commander operational landscape.
  • Chaired the Cyber Operations Working Group, aligning air operations with strategic objectives and identifying new targeting opportunities for United States European Command (USEUCOM) and Africa Command (AFRICOM).
  • Spearheaded establishment of high-performing defensive cyber unit within an organization of 35,000 employees by providing mentorship, strategic direction, and enhanced career advancement opportunities, while maximizing a defensive cyber posture on $4.5 billion operational and support systems.
  • Directed sustainment of critical network operations across 104 nations, facilitating integration of cyberspace capabilities into exercise and contingency theater plans.
  • Integrated operational cyber functions with communications directorate, consolidating defensive cyber operations planning and execution under a unified leadership structure; first definitive identification of command’s key cyber terrain to support congressional layered defense initiatives.

Joint Cyber Center Branch Chief

United States Africa Command
10.2018 - 09.2021
  • Directed a cross-functional team tasked with identifying intelligence requirements for offensive cyberspace operations, ensuring seamless integration into USAFRICOM objectives to support comprehensive strategic planning efforts.
  • Orchestrated cyber-enabled information operations and enhanced situational awareness by effectively coordinating with key staff and service component command cyberspace operations teams to synchronize theater-wide cyberspace ops.
  • Strategically planned and executed offensive and defensive cyber operations for multinational organization comprising 2,000 personnel across 53 countries, including 48 embassies and 6,000 field operatives.
  • Directed daily operations of $17M joint operations center with a 40-member team, delivering essential operational support, exercises, and political-military situational awareness to a four-star commanding general.

Commander, 603rd Air Communications Squadron

603rd Air Operations Center (USAF)
07.2016 - 09.2018
  • Led team of 120 Airmen in maintaining readiness and safeguarding operations for $1.9 billion U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, Air Operations Center, supporting missions across 104 countries.
  • Managed $2.2 million operations and maintenance budget while overseeing $3 million in technical enhancements for critical command and control systems.
  • Pioneered integration of Air Force’s first defensive cyber operations team (Mission Defense Team) during major combat exercises, earning recognition from Air Force Space Command as “best practice” and positioning the unit as U.S. Air Force's 2018 top small communications squadron.

Commander, Detachment 2

318th Cyberspace Operations Group (USAF)
06.2014 - 06.2016
  • Directed U.S. Air Force's premier unit for integrating cyber operations within $50 million contested combat training exercises, overseeing team of 227 cyber professionals responsible for training 13,000 U.S., joint, and coalition combat personnel annually.
  • Acted as cyber envoy for Nellis Air Force Base, enhancing cyber operations initiatives presented to Secretary of Defense and 47 high-ranking general officers, resulting in a successful $1 billion budget increase for critical Nevada test and training ranges.

Communications and Cyber Officer

USAF
05.2000 - 05.2014
  • Directed operational test and evaluation and authored Defense Information Systems Agency’s first-ever phased testing approach for Office of the Secretary of Defense’s report to Congress, successfully testing and fielding $885 million IP-based Department of Defense transport network.
  • Served as operations officer for 104-person special access program intelligence unit; managed $10 million in contracts and $30 million in resources, oversaw 50 Secretary of the Air Force requirements, and provided intelligence baseline for $75 million national-level program.
  • Led integration of command, control, and communications in space protection, saving $100K annually in operations and maintenance costs, while upgrading and optimizing IT infrastructure for Air Force Space Command’s special access program.

Education

Master of Science - Information Systems Management

U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
07.2006 - 03.2008

Master of Arts - Education, Curriculum And Instruction

University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
06.2004 - 06.2006

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science

Park University
Parkville, MO
06.1991 - 07.1999

Skills

Project Management: Experienced in leading complex, large-scale projects, including managing $3M in technology upgrades and overseeing a $22M operations and maintenance budget Consistently achieved alignment with organizational strategic goals, delivered key milestones on time, and optimized project outcomes

Certification

CNSS 4012 Certificate [Senior Systems Manager], Acquisition 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), Test & Evaluation 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), CompTIA A+ Certification

Timeline

DOD SkillBridge Program Intern

Tyto Athene
09.2024 - Current

Director, Cyberspace Forces

U.S. Air Forces In Europe – Air Forces Africa
10.2021 - 09.2024

Joint Cyber Center Branch Chief

United States Africa Command
10.2018 - 09.2021

Commander, 603rd Air Communications Squadron

603rd Air Operations Center (USAF)
07.2016 - 09.2018

Commander, Detachment 2

318th Cyberspace Operations Group (USAF)
06.2014 - 06.2016

Master of Science - Information Systems Management

U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
07.2006 - 03.2008

Master of Arts - Education, Curriculum And Instruction

University of Phoenix
06.2004 - 06.2006

Communications and Cyber Officer

USAF
05.2000 - 05.2014

Bachelor of Science - Computer Science

Park University
06.1991 - 07.1999

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Francis SaavedraCommunications And Cyber Defense