Lieutenant General Tad Oelstrom

E-mail: tad_oelstrom@harvard.edu

Biography
Director of the National Security Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and is responsible for the Black Sea Security Program, US-Russia Security Program, and Russian Federal Assembly Program.  He also directs Harvard’s Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, the National Security Fellows Program, and the Initiatives in Conflict Management Program.  He joined the faculty after more than 35 years in the US Air Force.  As a Command Pilot, he has flown more than 20 types of fighter aircraft, served in 6 different countries, and participated in combat in both Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia.  He has command experience at all tactical levels from Flight through Numbered Air Force. Key senior command positions include three different fighter wings in England, Southwest Asia, and Germany, and the US Third Air Force in England (1995-1997).  Most recently, General Oelstrom was the Superintendent of the US Air Force Academy, Colorado (1997-2000) where he was recognized nationally for his leadership in character development at the university level. Key staff assignments include Director of Fighter Operations, Tactical Air Command; Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander US European Command; and Inspector General US Air Forces in Europe.  General Oelstrom earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Auburn University and his military education includes the Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Army War College.  With over 240 combat sorties, he has been decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 16 Air Medals.