Roosevelt Mercer Jr.

Roosevelt Mercer Jr.
Roosevelt Mercer Jr.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1975–2008
Rank	Major General
Commands held	81st Training Wing ; 30th Space Wing ; 447 Strategic Missile Squadron ; 381 SMW Logistics Group Commander ; Commander, 45 Logistics Group ; Commander, 91 Operations Group ; Commander, 30th Space Wing ; Commander, 81st Training Wing ; Commandant, Joint Forces Staff College ; Commander, Air Force Element USSTRATCOM
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal(2); Legion of Merit(2); Defense Meritorious Service Medal ; Meritorious Service Medal(5); Air Force Commendation Medal

Last updated October 09, 2022

Retired Maj. Gen. Roosevelt Mercer Jr., SES, is the director of the Interagency Planning Office (IPO)^[1] for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) at the Federal Aviation Administration^[2] where he provides high-level leadership for interagency and international collaboration related to NextGen. He executes the collaborative processes needed to ensure efficient coordination among all federal partners whose decisions impact NextGen. The federal partner agencies include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Commerce (DOC), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as an ex officio participant. Mr. Mercer is charged with providing executive direction to a dynamic multi-agency and international partnering organization focused on future NextGen technology, policy, and collaborative activities.

Prior to joining the FAA in April 2016, Mercer had a successful career in the private sector since 2007. As the vice president and director of government, commercial and international initiatives for Geospatial Systems, a division of ITT Exelis, Mercer was responsible for government / industry partnerships and international initiatives worldwide.

Prior to joining ITT Exelis, Mercer served in the United States Air Force (USAF) for over 32 years (retired January 1, 2008), most recently as director of plans and policy for U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base (AFB)^[3] in Nebraska. He was responsible for the development and implementation of national security policy, military strategy, space and weapons employment concepts and policy, as well as joint doctrine as they applied to the command and execution of its missions. Mercer was also responsible for the development of the nation's strategic war plan, strategic support plans for theater combatant commanders, and contingency planning for the Global Strike mission.

Mercer has held command seven times from the squadron to the wing level. Among his many USAF assignments, he served as commander of 447th Strategic Missile Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota; commander of 45th Logistics Group, Patrick AFB, Florida; as commander of 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB, California; commander of 81st Training Wing, Biloxi, MS; commander of 91st Operations Group, Minot, N.D.; as vice director of plans, U.S. Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colorado; deputy director of operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB; and as the commandant of Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Norfolk, Virginia; commander of Air Force Element, United States Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

Mercer entered the U.S. Air Force as a 1975 distinguished graduate of the University of Puget Sound's ROTC program. His educational credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree in urban planning from the University of Puget Sound, Master of Science in counseling from the University of Oklahoma, post-graduate Executive Programs at Syracuse University, National Defense University, and Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, as well as a concentrated Executive Financial Development Program at the Wharton School of Business.

Mercer is the vice chairman of the board for the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska; chairman of the Military Advisory Board of Directors for Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska; a member of the board of trustees for the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York; and a member of the National Association of Governing Boards.

Prior to assuming his current position, Mercer was the director of combat and information operations, Global Operations Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB.

Education

1975 Bachelor of Arts degree in urban planning, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash.
1982 Distinguished graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1985 Master of Science degree in counseling, University of Oklahoma, Norman
1986 Top third graduate Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1995 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1997 Senior Executives in National Security Course, Syracuse University, N.Y.
2001 Capstone, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2002 Senior Executives in National and International Security Course, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Boston, Mass.
2007 Leadership in Crisis: Preparation and Performance Course, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2007 Executive Financial Management Program, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

Assignments

1. October 1975 - January 1976, student, Titan II missile combat crew training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. February 1976 - March 1976, student, Titan II initial qualification training, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
3. April 1976 - January 1980, combat missile crew member, 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell AFB, Kan.
4. February 1980 - September 1981, instructor, 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
5. October 1981 - May 1983, Assistant Chief of Protocol, 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
6. June 1983 - July 1985, Chief of Missile Career Development, Directorate of Assignments, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
7. July 1985 - June 1986, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. June 1986 - December 1987, Chief of Congressional Affairs, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
9. January 1988 - July 1989, executive officer, Directorate of Personnel Plans, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
10. July 1989 - July 1991, Commander, 447th Strategic Missile Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
11. July 1991 - February 1992, Deputy Commander Maintenance, 321st Maintenance Group, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
12. February 1992 - June 1994, Chief, Nuclear Division, Directorate of Plans and Policy, Headquarters United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany
13. June 1994 - June 1995, student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. June 1995 - July 1996, commander of 45th Logistics Group, Patrick AFB, Fla.
15. July 1996 - January 1998, commander of 91st Operations Group, Minot AFB, N.D.
16. January 1998 - May 1998, vice commander of 91st Space Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.
17. June 1998 - June 1999, commander of 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
18. July 1999 - April 2000, vice director of plans, Directorate of Plans, Headquarters U.S. Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
19. May 2000 - August 2000, deputy director of operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
20. September 2000 - May 2002, commander of 81st Training Wing, Keesler AFB, Miss.
21. May 2002 - January 2003, commandant of Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Norfolk, Va.
22. January 2003 - June 2005, director of plans and programs, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo.
23. June 2005 - June 2006, director of combat and information operations, Global Operations Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
24. June 2006 – 2008, commander of Air Force Element and director of plans and policy, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, Neb.

Badges

Master Missile Operations Badge Master Space Badge. Weapon systems: Titan II and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles; Delta, Atlas, Titan II and Titan IV launch vehicles; Eastern Range and Western Range optics, radar, telemetry and command destruct systems

Other achievements

Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award, NAACP, Jaycees' Outstanding Young Man of America, Tribute before the U.S. Senate, Congressional Record, Vol. 148, 2002

Effective dates of promotion

Second Lieutenant June 4, 1975
First Lieutenant October 2, 1977
Captain October 2, 1979
Major May 1, 1985
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 1989
Colonel January 1, 1993
Brigadier General October 1, 2000
Major General January 1, 2005

Related Research Articles

Major General Susan Yvonne Desjardins is a retired major general in the United States Air Force. She last served as director of plans and policy (J5), Headquarters U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Claude Robert "Bob" Kehler, is a retired United States Air Force general who served as Commander, United States Strategic Command from January 28, 2011 to November 15, 2013. He previously served as Commander, Air Force Space Command from October 12, 2007 to January 5, 2011. As commander of Air Force Space Command, he was responsible for the development, acquisition and operation of the Air Force's space and missile systems. He oversaw a global network of satellite command and control, communications, missile warning and launch facilities, and ensures the combat readiness of America's intercontinental ballistic missile force. He led more than 39,700 space professionals who provide combat forces and capabilities to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command. He was also responsible for the plans and operations for all U.S. forces conducting strategic deterrence and Department of Defense space and cyberspace operations. He officially retired from the Air Force on January 1, 2014 after nearly 39 years of service.

General Lance W. Lord is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who served as Commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

Frank Graham Klotz served as Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy. He was confirmed for the position on April 8, 2014, and retired on January 20, 2018.

Richard E. Webber is a retired United States Air Force major general. He was the first commander of the Twenty-Fourth Air Force, which is focused on cyberspace operations. The Twenty-Fourth Air Force is located in San Antonio, Texas, and stood up in place of the originally proposed larger Major Command organization, Air Force Cyber Command. Webber graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1975 and has worked in the space and missile career field.

C. Donald Alston is a retired major general in the United States Air Force.

Sandra E. Finan was the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) and Information Infrastructure Capabilities, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington D.C.

John William "Jay" Raymond is a United States Space Force general serving as its first chief of space operations. He previously concurrently served as the commander of United States Space Command, a position he held from August 29, 2019, to August 20, 2020. As the Space Force's highest-ranking officer, he currently oversees its organizational stand-up and the transfer of officers and enlisted personnel into the newest service branch.

Stephen W. "Seve" Wilson is a retired United States Air Force four-star general, who last served as the 39th vice chief of staff of the Air Force. He previously served as the deputy commander of United States Strategic Command. Prior to that, he served as the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. In his capacity as commander of Air Force Global Strike Command his responsibilities included organizing, training, equipping, and maintaining all United States ICBM and nuclear-capable bomber forces. Prior to his current assignment, Wilson served as Commander, Eighth Air Force. Wilson was the longest serving vice chief of staff in Air Force history. He had his retirement ceremony on November 13, 2020 and retired effective December 31, 2020.

Jay W. Kelley is an American retired Air Force lieutenant general who was commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, and director of education of the Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base in Schertz, Texas.

James Michael Holmes is a retired United States Air Force general. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements at Headquarters United States Air Force in Washington, D.C., before he became the commander of Air Combat Command on March 10, 2017. He was succeeded by Mark D. Kelly and retired effective 1 October 2020.

Stephen Newman Whiting is a United States Space Force lieutenant general who serves as the first commander of the Space Operations Command. He previously served as the deputy commander of the Air Force Space Command, which was later redesignated as the Space Force.

Christopher Stephen Povak is a United States Space Force brigadier general who serves as the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office and commander of the Space Force Element to the National Reconnaissance Office. He previously served as the deputy director of the Space Warfighting Analysis Center.

Douglas Andrew Schiess is a United States Space Force major general who serves as the commander of Combined Force Space Component Command and vice commander of Space Operations Command. He previously served as the deputy commanding general (operations) of the Space Operations Command. He has also commanded the 45th Space Wing, the 21st Space Wing, the 45th Operations Group, and the 4th Space Operations Squadron of the U.S. Air Force. In July 2021, Schiess was nominated for transfer to the United States Space Force and promotion to major general. Schiess transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force on 28 April 2022.

Sam Johnson is a retired colonel in the United States Air Force who last served as the commander of the 21st Space Wing of the Space Operations Command. He was vice commander of the 21st Space Wing before assuming the command on May 12, 2020 after the previous commander, Colonel Thomas Falzarano unexpectedly died.

Clinton E. Crosier is a retired United States Air Force major general who last served as director of space force planning in the Office of the Chief of Space Operations. After retiring, he was hired to lead Amazon Web Services' new Aerospace and Satellite Solutions.

David N. Miller Jr. is a United States Space Force major general who serves as the director of operations, training, and force development of the United States Space Command. Previously, he was as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber and Nuclear and, prior to that, the senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of the Air Force. In April 2021, Miller was nominated for transfer to the United States Space Force and promotion to major general.

Troy Lynd Endicott is a United States Space Force brigadier general serving as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber and Nuclear. Previously, he was the director for space policy at the United States National Security Council. Prior to that, he was the commander of the 460th Space Wing.

Devin Ruben Pepper is a United States Space Force brigadier general who is the deputy director of strategy, plans and policy of the United States Space Command. He previously commanded Buckley Garrison. He is the first African American general officer in the Space Force and the first one to have enlisted before commissioning as an officer.

Brigadier General Allen J. Jamerson is a retired United States Air Force officer who last served as the Director of United States Air Force Security Forces from July 2012 to October 2016.

References

↑ "NextGen – Interagency Planning Office". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
↑ "NextGen – NextGen Update: 2017". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
↑ "Offutt Air Force Base > Home". www.offutt.af.mil. Retrieved 2017-11-02.

This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force.

Taken from U.S. Air Force Biography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] "NextGen – Interagency Planning Office". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-02.

[2] "NextGen – NextGen Update: 2017". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-02.

[3] "Offutt Air Force Base > Home". www.offutt.af.mil. Retrieved 2017-11-02.

[1]

[2]

[3]