Michael Sanders
RAF Feltwell
Summary
Accomplished leader and strategic planner, adept at steering high-stakes operations for the United States Air Force. Expert in optimizing processes and enhancing team performance, demonstrated through directing mission-critical aircraft maintenance and multinational collaborations. Excelled in cybersecurity compliance and emotional intelligence, achieving a 97% training effectiveness rate and pioneering innovative solutions.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Command Support Staff Section Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
08.2023 - Current
- Led a 12-member team in managing 36 programs for 277 squadron members, driving operational efficiency and excellence.
- Supervised 5 civilian employees, creating performance plans, tracking progress, and conducting appraisals to foster growth and improvement.
- Conducted thorough reviews of all programs to ensure accuracy and compliance, resulting in successful outcomes in 8 high-visibility inspections.
- Oversaw deployment managers in authoring the United States Air Forces in Europe's (USAFE) F-35 deployment Standard Operating Procedures, enhancing operational standards.
- Fulfilled a 9-month vacancy, leading all administrative actions, implementing a new Operational Security policy, and successfully transitioning 350 members to a new complex with zero mission delays, demonstrating exceptional leadership and adaptability.
Production Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2021 - 07.2023
- Led a team of 365 members across 4 Air Force Specialty Codes, directing maintenance actions for 26 F-35 aircraft valued at $2B, ensuring seamless operations and asset management.
- Guided the squadron's enlisted force to meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wartime requirements, enhancing the unit's combat readiness and interoperability.
- Served as Project Officer for the inaugural Tactical Leadership Programme temporary deployment in Spain, securing 5th generation integration with 10 NATO allies and fostering cooperation among partner nations.
- Orchestrated 18 cross-servicing events with 5 nations to validate Joint Technical Data, supporting NATO's operational and exercise missions, and achieving a 90% reduction in maintenance footprint through efficient collaboration.
- Stood up USAFE's first F-35 support section, leading the induction of over 1,000 assets and playing a critical role in the activation of the 495th Fighter Generation Squadron, demonstrating expertise in aircraft support and operational startup.
Production Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2020 - 11.2021
- Led over 200 members and oversaw 100+ contractors to maintain 31 F-35 aircraft, directing all maintenance and coordinating logistical support across multiple stakeholders, including the maintenance group, contract agencies, Partner Maintenance Liaisons, and the Joint Programs Office.
- Enhanced the squadron's Commander Inspection Program, executing 163 inspections and identifying 54 discrepancies, ensuring high standards of maintenance and operational readiness.
- Served as unit Booster Club mentor, coaching 10 junior NCOs and overseeing 4 morale events and 12 fundraisers, fostering a positive and supportive team environment and developing the next generation of leaders.
- Handpicked as Project Officer for the unit's Red Flag deployment, successfully relocating 12 aircraft and 195 personnel, demonstrating expertise in planning and executing complex operations and ensuring seamless deployment and redeployment of personnel and assets.
Support Section Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2018 - 10.2021
- Filled an E-7 MSgt position, leading a 17-member section to manage inspections, maintenance, and accountability of over 2,000 equipment items for 24 U.S., Norwegian, and Italian F-35s, as the largest support section in the F-35 community.
- Analyzed performance indicators to identify and rectify negative trends, determining root causes and implementing corrective actions to enhance maintenance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Led the Nellis AFB deployment packout, including 253 equipment items and a $20M supply packup kit, ensuring seamless deployment and redeployment operations and minimizing downtime.
- Designed and developed a new tire change kit for maintainers, alleviating a known tool security issue, and created a product that was adopted across the Air Force, demonstrating innovative problem-solving skills and ability to drive change.
- Structured and led the unit's Tactical Pause, an Air Force-wide resiliency initiative, overseeing 7 group sessions and mediating tough topics for members to discuss, promoting a culture of wellness, support, and open communication.
- Selected for temporary duty in the United Kingdom to brief the Joint Programs Office and multiple partner nations on equipment limiting factors and lessons learned, providing critical support for the beddown of 7 European F-35 sites and demonstrating expertise in international cooperation and collaboration.
Flightline Expediter
United States Air Force, USAF
05.2017 - 10.2018
- Led sortie generation efforts for 287 unit personnel, ensuring successful execution and sustainment of Joint Strike Fighter pilot training, and driving operational readiness.
- Conducted multiple training events for aircraft maintenance documentation, instructing over 100 personnel and enhancing their skills and knowledge in maintenance procedures.
- Earned recognition as a Superior Performer during temporary duty at Mountain Home AFB, successfully managing 75 members to generate 106 sorties and upgrade 6 pilots, demonstrating exceptional leadership and performance under pressure.
- Spearheaded F-35 Cross-Utilization Training, integrating 17 Low Observable technicians with tactical aircraft maintainers, and promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and process improvement.
- Set a new F-35 surge record by generating 112 sorties per week and 371 sorties in a month's time, showcasing exceptional operational planning, execution, and leadership, and significantly contributing to the unit's overall performance and mission success.
Maintenance Instructor Element NCOIC
United States Air Force, USAF
04.2015 - 04.2017
- Supervised a team of 4 instructors, ensuring seamless delivery of initial and recurring training to 2 Aircraft Maintenance Units.
- Delivered 1,500+ hours of instruction to over 200 students, resulting in successful mission qualification and a strong training record.
- Coordinated and scheduled 315 classes, achieving a remarkable 97% training scheduling effectiveness rate and ensuring optimal resource utilization.
- Designed and taught the inaugural F-135 engine blade blend course, which was subsequently implemented Air Force-wide, across all branches, and among international partner nations.
- Selected by the Combat Air Force as the lead F-35 Maintenance Training Flight in the Air Force, demonstrating exceptional leadership and expertise in maintenance training.
Education
High School Diploma -
Purcell Marian High School
Cincinnati, Ohio06-2000
Skills
- Leadership & Team Development – Led and mentored teams of up to 70 personnel, ensuring peak performance and professional growth
- Strategic Operations Management – Directed maintenance and mission planning for multi-billion-dollar aircraft assets
- Process Improvement & Efficiency – Streamlined workflows, increased readiness rates, and optimized resource allocation
- Cybersecurity & Compliance – Ensured adherence to security protocols, technical orders, and regulatory guidelines
- Briefing & Presentation Skills – Delivered executive-level presentations, training, and mission briefings
- Emotional Intelligence & Adaptability – Skilled at handling complex challenges, resolving conflicts, and guiding teams through change
- Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partnered with senior leadership, engineers, and multinational teams to enhance NATO capabilities
- Problem-Solving & Decision-Making – Strong analytical abilities to assess challenges and develop effective solutions
- Collaboration & Teamwork – Proven ability to work with diverse teams to achieve common goals and drive mission success
- Resilience & Stress Management – Thrives in high-pressure environments while maintaining focus and efficiency
Certification
- OSHA Specialist in Safety and Heath
- Air University DAF New Supervisor Course
- Secret/SAR Clearance Level
Family, Golf, Movies, Art, Travel
I am your typical family man. Whatever I do, if I am with my family, I am happy. I enjoy golfing and watching all types of sports on all levels. I enjoy the creativity behind movies and art and I love to travel as much as I can.
Timeline
Command Support Staff Section Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
08.2023 - Current
Production Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2021 - 07.2023
Production Superintendent
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2020 - 11.2021
Support Section Chief
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2018 - 10.2021
Flightline Expediter
United States Air Force, USAF
05.2017 - 10.2018
Maintenance Instructor Element NCOIC
United States Air Force, USAF
04.2015 - 04.2017
High School Diploma -
Purcell Marian High School
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