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Department of Strategy

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  • Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL

Department of Strategy

The Department of Strategy (DES) develops joint air-minded warfighters capable of developing, assessing, and analyzing military strategy, thereby equipping them for future roles as senior leaders and advisors. The department teaches two courses. Foundations of Strategy (FS), the longest of the war college’s core courses, provides students with key strategic concepts and analytical frameworks, then challenges the students to employ those concepts in historical case study analysis. In Contemporary Strategy (CS), offered at the end of the AY, students apply the same analysis to current and ongoing conflicts, arming them with the latest perspectives on the security as they prepare to return to the joint force. 


Advising Interests: Allies and partners, joint warfighting strategy, nuclear deterrence, logistics and warfighting, military leadership, military history, Congressional relations, acquisition, training, doctrine, naval and marine warfare, World War II, Korean War

Research Interests: 20th century American naval and marine history, Anglo-American military relations, nuclear history

Degrees: Ph.D., History, Ohio State University (2015); M.A., History, Texas Tech University (2012); B.A., History, Texas A&M University (2008)

Publications: U.S. Seventh Fleet, Korea 1950–53 (Osprey, 2025); The U.S. Navy and its Cold War Alliances, 1945–1953 (University Press of Kansas, 2020)

Experience: Historian, Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (2014–2016); Fleet Professor, College of Distance Education, U.S. Naval War College (2014–2015)

Email: corbin.williamson@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Russia; Great Power Competition; Coalitions, Allies, and Partners; U.S. diplomatic and military history (since 1898); Northeast Asia; military intervention and civil war; intelligence history

Research Interests: U.S. foreign relations; the Progressive Era; international history of World War I and the Interwar Period; World War II in Asia and the Pacific; the Japanese Empire; Late Imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet Russia; perceptions, diplomacy, and warfare

Degrees: PhD, History, American University, 2020; MA, International Relations, University of Chicago, 2006; BA, History and East Asian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2004

Publications: Intervention on Empire’s Edge: The United States, Japan, and the Russian Civil War (Oxford University Press, forthcoming)

Experience: Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School (2018-2020); Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Presidential History, Southern Methodist University (2020-2022); Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Research Partner Fellow, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2022-2023); Historian, Henry M. Jackson Foundation, in support of DPAA (2023-2024)

E-Mail: paul.behringer@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Air power, strategy and cyber operations

Research Interests: US Military History, Second World War, Irregular Warfare

Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Physics Electronics, Southern University of Carbondale, Ill, 2000; Master of Information Management, American University, GA, 2009

Experience: Director of Cyberspace & Technology, AF Reserves, 2023-2026; Deputy Commander, Education Support Squadron (AETC), 2022-2023; Deputy Air Base Group Commander, 647th ABG (PACAF), 2020-2022; Deputy Commander, 18th MSG (PACAF) 2020-2020; Branch Chief, Tactical Air Control Sys (PACAF), 2018-2020

E-Mail: sean.evans@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Modern Military History and Strategy, International Relations, Innovation Management, Multinational Defense Planning, European Airpower

Research Interests: Cold War (Nuclear Deterrence, the Pershing Missile System), Strategy, Innovation and Organizational Sociology, Second World War, American Civil War

Degrees: MPhil, Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, 2022; MA, Strategic Studies, Air War College, 2026; MA, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, 2014; BA, Political Science and Administration, Fernuniversität Hagen, 2017

Experience: Staff Officer Multinational Defense Planning, Military Strategy, NATO, Federal Ministry of Defense (2023-2025); Staff Officer Digitization/Innovation Management, Cyber- and Information Domain Command (2019-2022); Staff Officer Capability Management – Tornado Replacement Program, German Air Force Command (2017-2019); J7 Lessons Learned and J9 Military Partnership Staff Officer, NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum (2014-2017); Commander, 1. Squadron/Fighter Wing 71 “Richthofen” (2010-2013); Detachment Commander NATO Air Policing Baltics (2010/11 and 2012); Operations Staff Officer, 1. Squadron/Fighter Wing 71 “R” (2007-2010); G3/5 Tactical Operations Center, Multinational Task Force South, Kosovo (2009), Flight Instructor, Training Group Fighter Wing 71 “R” (2005-2007); Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC) Instructor, 20th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB (2002-2005); F-4F Weapons Systems Officer, 1. Squadron/Fighter Wing 71 “R” (1996-2002) Flight Information: Master Navigator/Weapon Systems Officer; Flight Hours: 2200+ in the F-4F; Aircraft Flown: F-4F, T-38, T-37, T-43

E-Mail: matthias.fensterseifer.ger@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: National and military strategy, Middle Eastern security dynamics, international and military history, Iran, Afghanistan

Research Interests: Middle Eastern international relations, US foreign policy, 20th century military and international history, Modern Iran, the Afghanistan War

Degrees: PhD, History, The University of Texas at Austin, 2019; BA, History, Yale University, 2009

Experience: Ernest May Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, Postdoctoral Fellow, International Security Studies, Yale University (2020-21); Minerva/Jennings Randolph Dissertation Fellow, US Institute of Peace (2018-2019); Strategic Advisor, CJIATF-Shafafiat, HQ ISAF, Afghanistan (2011-2012); Analyst, Institute for the Study of War (2009-2011)

E-Mail: carl.forsberg@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: US Airpower, Long Range Strike, Joint Integration

Research Interests: Deterrence, Nuclear Operations, Emerging Warfighting Concepts

Degrees: MA, Strategic Studies, Air War College, 2026; MA, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, 2014; BS, Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, 2005

Experience: Deputy Director, School of Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies, Maxwell AFB, 2023-2025; Commander, 7th Operations Support Squadron, Dyess AFB, 2021-2023; Director of Staff, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, 2020-2021; Operations Planner and Executive Officer, USSTRATCOM/J3, Offutt AFB, 2018-2020; B-1 Instructor Pilot and Weapons School Instructor, 77th Weapons Squadron, Dyess AFB, 2015-2017; Wing Weapons Officer, 28th Operations Support Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, 2014-2015; B-1 Instructor Pilot, 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, 2008-2014; deployments to Qatar (2009, 2011, 2014) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

E-Mail: makisi.w.haleck@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Soviet / Russian studies, Middle Eastern history, Indian Ocean history, American and European military history, military history of the American Civil War, “just war” theories, international humanitarian law

Research Interests: Soviet history, Persian/Arabian Gulf history, Indian Ocean history, military history of the American Civil War, ancient, medieval, and early modern philosophy, “just war” theories, international humanitarian law

Books Published: Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. Security Dynamics in the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula. Security Dynamics in the South China Sea. Naval Powers in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. Air Power in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. Global Media Perspectives on the Crisis in Panama. The Prism of Just War. The Legitimate Use of Military Force. The Law of Armed Conflict. Sovereignty and the Global Community. The United States and Europe. The Sword of the Union

Monographs Published: The USSR and Outer Space. The Anatomy of Failure

Degrees: PhD, Government, University of Virginia,1976; MA, Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, 1971; BA, History, Texas A&M University, 1968

Experience: Air War College Experience - Director of Strategy (2006-2009); Academic Director, Electives Program (1997-2001); Director of Strategy (1994-1995); Director of International Security Studies (1990-1992); and Director of Soviet Studies (1988-1990). Faculty experience prior to joining Air War College - Air Command and Staff College; Monterey Institute of International Studies; Naval Postgraduate School; University of Virginia; Marine Command and Staff College

E-Mail: howard.hensel@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: U.S. Military History, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD), Strategic/Operational Planning

Research Interests: Korean War, CWMD, Operational Planning

Degrees: ABD, History, University of Kansas, 2014; MMAS, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2017; MMAS, School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2011; MA, National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, RI, 2010; MS, Environmental Management, Webster University, MO, 2001; BS, Education, Westfield University, MA, 1998

Experience: Chief of Staff, Fort Leonard Wood and the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (2022-2023); Assistant Commandant, United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School (2021-2022); Commander, 3d Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO (2019-2021); Chief of Staff and G3, Operations Officer for the 20th CBRNE Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (2017-2019); Battalion Commander, 23rd CBRNE Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea (2014-2016); deployments to Kuwait (2002-2003), Iraq (2003, 2005-2006), and Afghanistan (2011-2012) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom

E-Mail: adam.w.hilburgh.mil@au.af.edu



Research/Advising Interests: Foreign affairs and international security policies in Europe during the Interwar Period (1920-1938)

Degrees: PhD, History, The Ohio State University, 2002; MA, History, The Ohio State University, 1996; specialized in modern military and central European history; Fulbright scholar in Austria; Presidential Fellow at OSU

Experience: Prior to coming to the Air War College, worked as a consultant to the Mershon Center for International Security and Foreign Policy Studies, and as an Assistant Professor of Comparative Military Studies at the Air Command and Staff College. During this period he published numerous articles and essays on modern military history, co-edited a book on the Dollfuss and Schuschnigg era in Austria, and undertook various research projects. Dr. Lassner has lectured at major conferences in the United States, and by invitation in Italy and Austria. During summer 2005 Dr. Lassner taught courses in modern military history while a Visiting Professor of History at the International Summer School in Innsbruck, Austria. He is currently revising his manuscript on European foreign and security policies in the 1930s for publication.

E-mail: alexander.lassner@au.af.edu

 
Advising Interests: Nuclear/Chem/Bio, Deterrence/Coercion, Arms Control, Middle East, US Foreign Policy, and Grand Strategy

Research Interests: Nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, deterrence/coercion, and Iraq

Degrees: PhD and MA, Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles (2014); BA, Political Science, Brigham Young University (2000)

Publications: The Saddam Tapes: The Inner Workings of a Tyrant's Regime, 1978–2001 (Cambridge University Press, 2011), co-edited with Kevin M. Woods and Mark E. Stout. Dr. Palkki has also published a variety of journal articles and book chapters on issues involving deterrence and WMD and is revising a book manuscript on U.S. efforts to deter Saddam Hussein’s Iraq

Experience: Director of the AWC’s Strategic Deterrence Seminar (2025-present); Associate and Assistant Professor at the AWC (2015-present); Scowcroft Institute Post-Doctoral Fellow in Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service (2014-2015); Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (2013-2014); Acting Director, Deputy Director, and Senior Research Fellow at the National Defense University’s Conflict Records Research Center (2010-2014); Adjunct Research Associate at the Institute for Defense Analyses’ Joint Advanced Warfighting Division (2007-2010); Teaching Associate and Teaching Assistant in UCLA’s political science department (2002-2007); Graduate Fellow Instructor at the University of California, Washington Center (2006); Military Analyst/Graduate Fellow in the CIA’s Directorate of Intelligence (2002-2006, summers); Visiting Lecturer in Brigham Young University’s political science department (2004); Long and Short-Term (Election) Observer and Polling Station Supervisor for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, working in Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Moldova, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, and Bosnia (2000-2009); Staff Assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee (2000-2001)

Email: david.palkki@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: European Security Issues, NATO, Germany, Northern Europe and the High North, Arctic Security Issues, the EU

Research Interests: Diplomatic and military history, strategy, European security issues, Arctic Security, NATO and the European Union

Publications: Hitler’s Deserters: Breaking Ranks with the Wehrmacht (Oxford University Press, 2025); Choosing War (Oxford University Press, 2016); Genocide, Airpower, and Intervention (Air University Press, 2008); The Three German Navies (University Press of Florida, 2002;  and over twenty chapters and articles in covering topics ranging from “British and French National Interests, Objectives, and Strategies in the Gulf” (2023) to “The European Powers” in Airpower in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific (2020) to “The Luftwaffe's role in Expeditionary Bundeswehr Missions since Unification” (2012)

Degrees: PhD, Modern European and German History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1996; MA, Modern European and German History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1991; BA, History and Economics, Miami University of Ohio, 1985

Experience: Joined Air War College in 2006; has served as course director, department chair, and deputy chair in the Department of Strategy; has advised over 75 masters level professional studies papers; invited lecturer at the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies; academic lead for regional studies courses to Europe's High North (2022-20025); Norway, Denmark, and Germany (2021); UK, France, and Germany (2019); Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland (2017); the UK, France, and Germany (2016); Germany, Poland, Sweden (2015 & 2010); the UK and France (2013 & 2012); Italy, France, Belgium (2008); and the UK, France, and Belgium (2007).

Email:douglas.peifer@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: US Military History, Strategic Thought, Information Warfare, Remotely Piloted Aircraft, ISR Operations, Joint Staff matters; Russian Active Measures

Research Interests: Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) History; Strategy; Information Warfare; US Military History (19th & 20th century); Airpower Theory

Degrees:PhD, History, Georgetown University, 2024; MA, Strategic Studies, Air War College, 2026; MA, History, Georgetown University, 2017; MA with an emphasis in International Relations, University of Oklahoma, 2011; BS, History, United States Air Force Academy, 2007

Experience:Commander, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (2023-2025); Director of Operations, 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (2021-2023); Strategic Planner, Joint Staff Deputy Directorate for Global Operations (J-39) (2018-2021); Chief of Staff of the Air Force Strategic PhD Fellow (2015-2018); Aide-de-Camp & Executive Officer, Combined Joint Intelligence Directorate (CJ2), U.S. Forces Afghanistan (2012-2013); RQ-4 Evaluator Pilot

Email:chad.reger.1@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Modern military history, technology and innovation in warfare, conflict in & through cyberspace

Research Interests: Strategy and military affairs regarding Great Power Conflict in modern history, the use of technology in warfare, and cybersecurity issues

Degrees: PhD, US and Military History, University of Kansas, 2012; Masters, History, University of North Texas, 2008; Bachelors, History, Texas Christian University, 2006

Publications: Building Dutch Air Power in World War II: The Role of Lend-Lease and Aircrew Training in the United States (McFarland, 2025); Weaponizing Cyberspace: Inside Russia's Hostile Activities (hardback PSI, 2022; paperback Bloomsbury Academic, 2024); Myths and Realities of Cyber Warfare: Conflict in the Digital Realm (hardback PSI, 2020; paperback Bloomsbury Academic, 2023); Conflict in the 21st Century: The Impact of Cyber, Social Media, and Technology (ABC-Clio, 2019); Paths of Innovation in Warfare from the Twelfth Century to the Present (Lexington, 2018); The Other Space Race: Eisenhower and the Quest for Aerospace Security (Naval Institute, 2015). Numerous articles and chapters. Pending works include Military Technology Innovators: Leaders Who Changed History (Purdue University Press, scheduled 2026) and the Handbook on Cyber in Conflict and Warfare (De Gruyter Brill, scheduled 2026).

Publications’ Recognition: US Space Force’s National Security Space Institute’s Space Professional Reading List (for The Other Space Race), 2021; Air Force Association Gill Robb Wilson Award for defense writing, 2020; Air Force Historical Foundation’s Best Air Power History Book, 2016

Experience: Joined Air War College 2022. Academic lead for regional studies courses to Australia and Indonesia (2026), co-lead to the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium (2024). Advisor to over a dozen AWC student research projects, including winners of the Air & Space Force Association writing award (2025), Air Force Historical Foundation award (2025), Space Research Award (2024), and Cyber Award (2023). Associate Research Professor, Air Force Cyber College (2021-2022); Director of Research, eSchool of Graduate PME (2019-2021); Associate Professor, eSchool of Graduate PME (2017-2019); Assistant Professor, eSchool of Graduate PME (2016-2017); Assistant Professor, Purdue University (2015-16); Research Fellow, Army Cyber Institute (2014-2016); Assistant Professor, United States Military Academy (2013-2015); Doctoral Fellow overseas instructor, University of Kansas (2012)

Email: nicholas.sambaluk@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Amphibious Warfare, Counterinsurgency and Irregular Warfare, World War I, World War II (Pacific), Vietnam, Global War on Terror

Research Interests: Military Innovation and Adaptation, Strategy

Degrees: PhD, Military History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2024; MA, History, East Tennessee State University, 2019; BA, History, University of Georgia, 2017

Publications: with William F. Nimmo, The Road to Hue: The Marine Combined Action Platoons and the Battle that Changed the Vietnam War (Quantico: Marine Corps University Press, 2025); “To Take Some of That Fear Away: Task Cohesion and Combat Effectiveness Among Combined Action Platoons in Vietnam, 1965-1971,” Marine Corps History 8, no. 2 (Winter 2022/2023): 90-105

Experience: Teaching Fellow, UNC Chapel Hill (2022-2024); Research Fellow, Triangle Institute for Security Studies (2020-2024); U.S. Marine Corps: various billets in the Infantry and Military Police, Advisor to Afghan National Police, two combat deployments to Helmand Province, Afghanistan (2010-2011 and 2012)

Email: cavender.sutton@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: Education, Special Operations

Research Interests: Special Operations, Military Education and Curriculum Design, Joint Warfighting, Alliance Operations, Veteran Issues, Strategic Theory.

Degrees: Doctor of Education, University of Southern California, 2019; MS, Strategic Studies, Air War College, 2026; MA, Military Studies, Marine Corps University, 2017; MA, Organizational Leadership, Gonzaga University, 2008; BA, Political Science, Colorado State University, 2005.

Publications: Advancing Civilian and Military Education: The Integration of ADDIE and the Joint Planning Process in Curriculum Design, International Academic Forum ACCS2021 Conference Proceedings, 2021.

Experience:Faculty, Air War College (2026-Present); Student, Air War College (2025-2026); Commander and Operations Officer, 435th Training Squadron (2021-2025); Director, Warfighting and Leadership Department, USAF Special Operations School (2020-2021); Strategic Plans and Policy Deputy Director and Director, Joint Special Operations Liaison Element, Special Operations Command Korea (2017-2020); Instructor, SOF Weapons Instructor Course (2015-2016); AC-130H and U-28 Weapons Officer.

Email: zachary.unger@au.af.edu


Advising Interests: US Military History, Naval Sea and Airpower, Strategic Theory

Research Interests: US Military History, Modern Conflicts (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan), Russia, China, AI and Its Use in Strategy and Planning

Degrees: MA, Strategic Studies, Air War College, 2026; MS, Information Technology, Florida Institute of Technology, 2012; BA, Political Science, The Citadel, 2004

Experience: Maritime Patrol Readiness Officer, Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific (2023-2025), Commanding Officer, Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN (2022-2023), Chief of Operations, Commander, Task Force FIVE SEVEN (2019-2020), Operations Officer, Patrol Squadron NINE (2016-2019), Assistant Navigator, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) (2013-2015), Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons and Tactics Instructor (2011-2013)

Email: ves.whittemore@au.af.edu