Dipl - Ing Wilhelm May
Kleve
Summary
Staff Officer (Colonel retired) with over 40 years of experience in different NATO / national Staff and Leadership position. Highly experienced Combat and Instructor Pilot, more than 4000 hours on fast jets. Dedicated professional with history of meeting milestones and goals with excellent understanding on all aspects of Air Power Employment and Air Command and Control. Expert on strategic/operational level planning, project, program and risk management, aviation safety, airworthiness, crew resource management, pilot training and armament procurement. Task dedicated and team orientated, dynamic, motivational leader with excellent communication and relationship skills and reputation for resolving problems to deliver effective, pragmatic solutions. Self-starter, hardworking, skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to lead, consult or coach teams to best enhance organizational results.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
CAOC UEDEM Division Head Combat Plans & German SNR
NATO / German Air Force
10.2018 - 10.2022
- Leader of Combat Plans Division and Cross-Divisional Teams of international experts and of all German national personnel.
- Comprehensive support of higher NATO HQs on strategic and operational level planning on all aspects of Air Power Employment and Air Command and Control in highly dynamic, fast-paced, security sensitive NATO HQ.
- Responsible for all planning and asset certification of 24/7/365 Air Policing mission in Northern Europe, tactical execution of air operation, appointed Air Director for BALTOPS exercises from 2019-2022, biggest multinational naval live exercise in European waters and for Norwegian led COLD RESPONSE 22 exercise, in parallel to UKRAINE Crisis Response Planning.
Teamlead Strategic & Operational Plans MN JHQ Ulm
Bundeswehr / Multinational Joint Headquarter
08.2017 - 09.2018
- Within CJ5, Plans Division, efficiently led multinational Team of Cross-Divisional Experts in strategic and operational planning Tasks for NATO, EU and UN operations. Was assigned as lead planner for MN JHQ´s NATO certification during TRIDENT JAGUAR18 in Mai 2018, excellent results rated "Best Practice" by Evaluation Team and Mentors.
- Provided essential contribution for organizational development of Joint Support and Enablement Command (JSEC) after NATO Command Structure Adaptation 2018.
SHAPE Section Head J3 - Support to Air Operations
NATO / SHAPE
07.2014 - 08.2017
- Highly versatile SHAPE single point of contact and strategic oversight on all Air Power, Operations (ISAF / RESOLUT SUPPORT / Counter ISIL), Infrastructure, Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Air Command and Control and related Future Capability Development Topics. Successful negotiation and implementation of NATO AWACS Force Review, resulted in Force and Cost reduction of 30 %.
- Analysis of operational lessons learned and SHAPE POC, driving development of Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR) as emerging mission in NATO.
- SHAPE rep in Military Committee Air Standards Board (ASB), Aviation Committee (AVC), Air Worthiness Advisor Group, Joint Air Capability Study, Alliance Future Surveillance & Control Study.
German Senior National Rep & Instructor Pilot
EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING / Luftwaffe
12.2009 - 07.2014
- Lead German Detachment at EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING (ENJJPT is 13 nation MOU organization), represent German community and liaise with host nation military and civil authorities.
- Responsible for all aspects of training, disciplinary and administrative issues concerning German Students and Instructor Pilots at ENJJPT, teach Students and future Instructor Pilots in advanced training phases on T-38 "TALON". Member of different boards and committees to assess training efficiency and quality driving continuous enhancement and improvement of training.
Flight Safety, CRM, ORM - Expert to COS Luftwaffe
Ministry of Defense / Luftwaffe
07.2007 - 09.2009
- Subject matter expert and single point of contact at MOD (BMVg/FüL) level for all Flight Safety, Crew Resource Management, Human Performance Limitations and Operational Risk Management, Accident Prevention Strategies and Programs, Just Culture / Error Culture topics.
Department Head & System Officer PA 200 TORNADO
Air Force Weapons System Command / Luftwaffe
08.2006 - 08.2007
- Assessment, validation, verification and coordination of all operational requirements, modifications for combat enhancement, life extension, Mid-Life Upgrade and air worthiness aspects for TORNADO aircraft to keep it combat relevant until 2030+.
Deputy Division Head German Air Force Ops Center
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
03.2005 - 08.2006
- Team lead responsible for coordination of all German Air Force operations and exercise planning, troop contributions deployment training and preparation.
- Monitoring of Luftwaffe participation in worldwide exercise and operations, reporting to Commanders and MOD.
Operations Group Commander FBW 32 "ECR"
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
09.2000 - 03.2005
- 09/2000 Deputy Commander Operations Group at Fighter Bomber Wing (FBW) 33 at Büchel responsible for planning and execution of flying training and operations of FBW 33 and combat readiness of operations group (personnel strength 300) consisting of 2 flying, 1 air traffic control squadron and 1 fire brigade.
- 03/2002 Deputy and 01/2004 Commander Operations Group FBW 32 " ECR" at Lechfeld.
Company Commander at Air Force Academy
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
09.1997 - 09.2000
- Disciplinary leadership and training of up to 150 miliary cadets during their 9 month officers course.
- Teaching and practicing of modern leadership and management duties, values, ethics and skills, leadership and management process.
- Flying and Instructor duties to maintain Combat Readiness at Fighter Bomber Wing 32 "ECR", Lechfeld.
Squadron Commander Fighter Bomber Wing 38
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
06.1993 - 08.1997
- 7/1993 Ops Officer and Instructor Pilot at 381 SQN. Weapon Conversion for all German Air Force and Navy TORNADO aircrews. Managing 40 Instructors and Staff with 20 airplanes for approx. 40 Student/Trainees.
- 9/1995 Squadron Commander of 382 SQN leading 60 Officers and NCOs through Conversion of training to combat SQN and ensuring combat readiness.
Instructor Pilot on T-38 "TALON"
EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING / Luftwaffe
01.1990 - 06.1993
- Instructor of future combat/fighter pilots on T-38 in 13 Nation ENJJPT program.
TORNADO Fighter Pilot in 312 Squadron
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
09.1987 - 01.1990
- Combat Readiness Flight and Lead Training TORNADO IDS.
Pilot Training & TORNADO Weapon System Conversion
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
01.1985 - 08.1987
- Pilot Training at EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING (ENJJPT) Texas, USA on T-37 and T-38.
- Fighter Lead-in Training on A-Jet at FBW 49, Fürstenfeldbruck.
- Weapons System Training TORNADO at TTTE Cottesmore (UK) and FBW 38, Jever.
Military Cadet and University Student
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
07.1980 - 12.1984
- 7/1980 started Officers Training.
- 10/1981 - 12/1984 studied Master of Science: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of German Armed Forces Munich.
Education
Career Development - Staff Officer Course
Leadership Academy of The Federal Armed Forces
Hamburg / Germany09.1994
Aeronautical Pilot Rating - Pilot Training
EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING
Sheppard Air Force Base / Texas / USA05.1986
Master of Science - Electrical, Electronics And Communications Engineering
University of The German Armed Forces Munich
Neubiberg, Munich, Germany12.1984
Skills
- Security Clearance / Military
- NATO Command Structure
- German MOD / Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
- Leadership / multicultural / international Teams
- Strategic & Operational agile Planning
- Offensive & Defensive Combat Plans / Ops
- Military Operations / Weapons
- Operational Risk Management (ORM)
- Flight Safety /Aviation Safety /Airworthiness
- Crew Resource Management (CRM)
- Aviation / Flight Training / Instructor Training
- Program Management
Languages
German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
CAOC UEDEM Division Head Combat Plans & German SNR
NATO / German Air Force
10.2018 - 10.2022
Teamlead Strategic & Operational Plans MN JHQ Ulm
Bundeswehr / Multinational Joint Headquarter
08.2017 - 09.2018
SHAPE Section Head J3 - Support to Air Operations
NATO / SHAPE
07.2014 - 08.2017
German Senior National Rep & Instructor Pilot
EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING / Luftwaffe
12.2009 - 07.2014
Flight Safety, CRM, ORM - Expert to COS Luftwaffe
Ministry of Defense / Luftwaffe
07.2007 - 09.2009
Department Head & System Officer PA 200 TORNADO
Air Force Weapons System Command / Luftwaffe
08.2006 - 08.2007
Deputy Division Head German Air Force Ops Center
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
03.2005 - 08.2006
Operations Group Commander FBW 32 "ECR"
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
09.2000 - 03.2005
Company Commander at Air Force Academy
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
09.1997 - 09.2000
Squadron Commander Fighter Bomber Wing 38
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
06.1993 - 08.1997
Instructor Pilot on T-38 "TALON"
EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING / Luftwaffe
01.1990 - 06.1993
TORNADO Fighter Pilot in 312 Squadron
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
09.1987 - 01.1990
Pilot Training & TORNADO Weapon System Conversion
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
01.1985 - 08.1987
Military Cadet and University Student
Bundeswehr / Luftwaffe
07.1980 - 12.1984
Career Development - Staff Officer Course
Leadership Academy of The Federal Armed Forces
Aeronautical Pilot Rating - Pilot Training
EURO NATO JOINT JET PILOT TRAINING
Master of Science - Electrical, Electronics And Communications Engineering
University of The German Armed Forces Munich
Hobbies
General Fitness (Jogging, Bicycling, Gymnastics)
Reading
Travelling
Hobbies
General Fitness (Jogging, Bicycling, Gymnastics)
Reading
Travelling
Hobbies
General Fitness (Jogging, Bicycling, Gymnastics)
Reading
Travelling
Hobbies
General Fitness (Jogging, Bicycling, Gymnastics)
Reading
Travelling
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