Mr. Steven A. Ruehl, Sr., a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of Policy and Programs for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this capacity, he oversees the development and implementation of Department of the Air Force policies and programs regarding international armaments cooperation; foreign disclosure and technology transfer; International Airmen and Guardians; arms exports; international training and education; and security cooperation strategy.
Mr. Ruehl served on active duty in the Air Force from 1981 to 2010 in a variety of operational, training and staff assignments. He commanded at the squadron and group level and accumulated more than 3,800 flying hours. Following his active-duty retirement, he transitioned to federal civil service in 2010. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Associate Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
EDUCATION
1981 Bachelor of Science, Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1986 U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
1987 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1995 Master of Science, Aviation Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
1996 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2001 U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
2001 Master of Strategic Sciences, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 1981–June 1982, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Enid Air Force Base, Okla.
2. February 1983–June 1987, A-10 Pilot/Weapons Officer, 511th and 92nd Tactical Fighters Squadrons, Bentwaters Air Base, United Kingdom
3. July 1987–October 1991, A-10 Instructor Pilot, Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
4. October 1991–October 1983, Assistant Operations Officer, 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Osan AB, South Korea
5. October 1993–June 1995, Chief, Fighter Standards/Evaluation, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AB, Hawaii
6. July 1995–June 1996, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. October 1996–October 1997, Chief, Wing Readiness and Inspections, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, South Korea
8. November 1997–June 2000, Operations Officer and Commander, 70th Fighter Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
9. July 2000–June 2001, Student, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
10. Jun 2001–Oct 2002, Chief, North American Branch, Joint Operations Division, J-3, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
11. October 2002–May 2003, Executive Assistant to Deputy Director for Regional Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
12. May 2003–December 2004, Champion, Global Persistent Attack Concept of Operations, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. January 2004–July 2005, Commander, 355th Operations Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
14. July 2005–August 2006, Director, Kenney Headquarters, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
15. August 2006–July 2008, Chief of Staff, Thirteenth Air Force, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
16. August 2008–December 2009, Deputy Director Air Operations, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
17. January 2010–August 2010, Director of Staff, Operations Directorate, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
18. August 2010–May 2015, GS-15, Director of Staff and Operations Civilian Career Field Manager, Operations Directorate, Deputy Chief of Staff and Operations Civilian Career Field Manager, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
19. June 2015–June 2017, GS-15, Deputy Director of Future Operations and Operations Civilian Career Field Manager, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
20. June 2017–September 2018, GS-15, Deputy Director of Current Operations and Operations Civilian Career Field Manager, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
21. September 2019–July 2021, Senior Executive Service, Deputy Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
22. July 2021–April 2023, SES, Associate Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, HAF, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
23. April 2023-present, SES, Director of Policy and Programs, Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with two silver and oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
(Current as of May 2023)