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New AFROTC Commander Shawn Bevans Notes Impact of Technology Innovations

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Only twenty years ago, when Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Bevans was starting his aviation career, he used a sextant to navigate aircraft.  Today’s military aircraft employ the most advanced GPS integrated flight management systems.  Bevans commented on the amazing rapid advance of technology and its impact on military operations.

“This impact has been transformational in both aviation and the execution of military command and control,” said Bevans. “Today, military commanders leverage information systems to accelerate the decision cycle time to achieve an edge in operations.  The concept of condensing the military decision cycle to maintain operational and tactical initiative was best defined by USAF fighter pilot and military theorist Col. John Boyd, an alumnus of Georgia Tech."

Bevans assumed command of the Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (AFROTC), Detachment 165, at Georgia Tech in August for the standard three year term of duty.  He is also Professor of Aerospace Studies.

“The AFROTC cadets at Georgia Tech have the advantage of learning at one of the best schools in the nation,” said Bevans.  “The new Lieutenants we commission from Georgia Tech will advance US Air Force capabilities even further in air, space, and cyber-space.  I feel very fortunate to be part of a program that is so valuable to our nation.”

Born into an Air Force family, Bevans earned a B.S. in Military History from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He was commissioned there in May 1989 and graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training in September 1990.  Bevans earned a Master’s in Aeronautical Science from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida.  He has also trained via distance learning at the Command and Staff College and the Air War College.

A Command Pilot, Bevans has logged more than 3400 flight hours, 120 combat flight hours and 360 combat flight support hours. He has flown the KC-135, the T-38, the T-37, the C-17 and T-1 aircraft.  He flew in several major contingencies from Operation DESERT STORM in Iraq to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan.  Bevans was awarded the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Bevans has also served in various Air Operations Centers and Special Operation Joint Task Forces in support of the Global War on Terrorism.  Just prior to his assignment at Georgia Tech, Bevans served as Commander Mobility Operations School Detachment One, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

“The Ivan Allen College, the engineering programs, and the quality of the students here have impressed me greatly,” said Bevans.  “My goal is to continue the tradition of the U.S. AFROTC at Georgia Tech of training officers of the highest possible caliber.  I want to develop the best officers in the USAF - officers who are motivated, imaginative, and ready to lead.”

Status

  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Lauren Langley
  • Created:10/14/2010
  • Modified By:Fletcher Moore
  • Modified:10/07/2016

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