Colonel Robert B. Trsek is the Director of Safety for Air Combat Command, headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. He is responsible for implementing the command’s flight, ground, and weapons safety mishap prevention programs designed to preserve combat capability by providing guidance and directives to all ACC subordinate units (NAF, center, wings and squadrons). He advises the ACC commander and staff on mishap trends, problemareas, and command-level initiatives. In addition he provides direction, guidance, and assistance to all of the command’s safety investigations. Colonel Trsek oversees safety guidance for 22 wings, 26 weapon systems, over 1,000 aircraft and 136,000 personnel.
Colonel Trsek was commissioned in 1992, graduating from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Aviation. During his career Col Trsek has served as an emergency action officer in (formerly) Strategic Air Command’s nuclear mission, as a navigator in Air Force Special Operations Command, and as a fighter pilot in Air Combat Command. His Joint experience includes the Air Force Doctrine Center, HQ USSOCOM J5, and the Joint Deployable Analysis Team JS/J6 (formerly Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team).
EDUCATION & TRAINING
1992 B.S. Aviation: Aircraft Systems, Cum Laude, The Ohio State University
1992 Distinguished Graduate, Reserve Officer Training Corps
1993 Distinguished Graduate, Command and Control School
1995 Distinguished Graduate, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training
1995 Distinguished Graduate, A/C-130 Training
1998 Distinguished Graduate, Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training
1999 Graduate, F-15C Replacement Training Unit
2000 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School
2002 Outstanding Graduate, F-4F Conversion
2005 Air Command & Staff College, by correspondence
2005 Master of Aeronautical Science: Operations, Embry Riddle Aero. University
2005 Adjunct Professor, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2007 Master of Military Art & Science, Air Command & Staff College, in residence
2008 Master of Airpower Art & Science, SAASS
2012 Air War College, by correspondence
2014 Master of Strategic Studies with distinction, Air War College, in residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1993 – 1994 Command Post Emergency Actions Officer, K.I. Sawyer AFB
1994 – 1995 Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB
1995 – 1997 AC-130H Navigator, Special Plans, Hurlburt Field
1997 – 1998 Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB
1998 – 1999 Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) & F-15C (RTU) Columbus AFB & Tyndall AFB
1999 – 2002 F-15C 4-Ship, Flight CC, Sq. Chief Stan./Eval., Kadena Air Base, Japan
2002 – 2005 F-4F Instructor, Wing Chief of Safety, Sq. Weapons Officer, Holloman AFB
2005 – 2006 Chief, Fighter Branch, Air Force Doctrine Center, Maxwell AFB
2006 – 2007 Air Command & Staff College (ACSC) in residence, Maxwell AFB
2007 – 2008 School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, Maxwell AFB
2008 – 2011 SOCOM HQ, Senior Airpower Strategist, MacDill AFB
2011 – 2013 Operations Branch Chief, Joint Deployable Analysis Team, Eglin AFB
2013 – 2014 Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB
2014 – 2016 Director, 7th Air Force A3/A5 Operations & Plans, Osan AB, South Korea
2016 – Pres Director, Air Combat Command Safety, Joint Base Langley-Eustis
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1994 – 1995 Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training
2. 1997 – 1998 Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training
3. 2008 – 2011 US Special Operations Command Headquarters, J51
4. 2011 – 2013 Joint Deployable Analysis Team, Joint Staff J6, DDC2I
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight hours: ~1700
Combat Hours: 105
Aircraft Flown: F-15C/D (Pilot), F-4F (Pilot), AC-130H/U (Navigator)
AWARDS & DECORATIONS
2014 Douhet-Mitchell International Airpower Trophy
2007 Air Force Association Carl Spaatz Award: Air Force Aerospace Power Advocacy
2007 ACSC: best thesis in Military Studies (published): The Last Manned Fighter
Bronze Star 1
Defense Meritorious Service Medal 3
Meritorious Service Medal 2
Air Medal 1
Aerial Achievement Medal 1
Air Force Commendation Medal 3
Air Force Achievement Medal 2
AF Outstanding Unit with Valor 4
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 13, 1993
First Lieutenant February 13, 1995
Captain February 13, 1997
Major June 1, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2008
Colonel September 1, 2014