Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Sweeney is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for JROTC at Oak Ridge High School, Orlando, FL. In this capacity, Lt Col Sweeney directs 3 cadre and over 200 cadets through Aerospace education, Embry-Riddle dual enrollment aviation classes, life skills, and physical fitness courses.

Lt Col Sweeney’s previous assignments were as Deputy Chief of Requirements, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Director of Operations at Lajes Field Azores, Portugal, and assignments as an instructor and evaluator C-130E/H/J pilot. Lt Col Sweeney has numerous deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Feedom and Inherent Resolve. Lt Col Sweeney was commissioned through AFROTC from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1999 and retired from active duty in September 2018 after 23 years of enlisted and commissioned officer service.

EDUCATION:

1999 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA

2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (Correspondence)

2011 Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle University, FL

2014 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL (Correspondence)

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. July 1999 - December 1999, Pilot Scheduler, Casual Status, 1st FW, Langley AFB, VA

2. January 2000 - July 2000, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS

3. July 2000 - May 2001, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, NAS Corpus Christi, TX

4. May 2001 - September 2001, student, C-130E Initial Qualification Training, Little Rock AFB, AR

5. September 2001 - June 2006, Flight Commander and C-130H Instructor Pilot, 40th Airlift Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX

6. June 2006 - September 2008, Group Executive Officer and C-130E Evaluator Pilot, 62d Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, AR

7. September 2008 - June 2010, Chief of Safety and C-130J Evaluator Pilot, 48th Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, AR

8. June 2010 - June 2012, Director of Operations, 65th Operations Support Squadron, Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal

9. June 2012 - February 2014, Chief, Combat Delivery Division, 618th Air Operations Center (TACC), Scott AFB, IL

10. February 2014 – September 2018, Deputy Chief, Requirements Division, Headquarters AMC, Directorate of Strategic Programs, Requirements, and Plans, Scott AFB, IL

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Rating: Senior Pilot

Flight Hours: 2,700

Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-44, C-130E/H/J

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant May 29, 1999

First Lieutenant June 30, 2001

Captain June 30, 2003

Major May 1, 2009

Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 2014