Lieutenant Colonel Michael J Connelly is commander of Detachment 380, AFROTC, and Chair of the Aerospace Department at Michigan State University. He directs a 4-year academic, military training, and character development program leading graduates to a commission in the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Master’s of Business Administration from City University.
His previous assignment included supporting capabilities based analysis at the Pentagon with assessments within the Air Staff, Air Force Corporate Structure and development of the biennial Capabilities Review and Risk Assessment summarizing the Air Force Capability shortfalls and associated risk. He was the Deputy Chief, Space and Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Capabilities Division. He personally led the Command and Control section working with MAJCOMs and agencies across the Air Force for CONOPS development, assessments, and recommendations. Later, he became the Integration Division Deputy, coordinating six other Capabilities Divisions.

Lt Col Connelly has held multiple leadership positions as flight commander, assistant director of operations, and deputy division chief. He has also held key positions on the Air Staff influencing programming, planning and budgeting for the U.S. Air Force. He also assisted the creation of the Afghanistan Air Corps establishing their basing strategic plan, aircraft acquisition, and flying training program while deployed to the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Lt Col Connelly is a master navigator with more than 3,800 hours in the KC-135R/T, T-43, and E-8C aircraft. As a navigator, Lt Col Connelly flew in the KC-135 during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and Operation DENY FLIGHT. He also flew in the E-8C during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Lt Col Connelly has flown combat and combat support missions in many contingencies.

EDUCATION
1990 B.S. in Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1999 M.B.A. in Information Systems Management, City University, Bellevue, Washington
1996 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2002 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (Correspondence)
2007 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (Correspondence)

ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1991 – November 1991, student, undergraduate navigator training, 323rd Flying Training Wing, Mather AFB, California.
2. March 1992 – July 1992, student, Combat Crew Training School, Castle AFB, California.
3. July 1992 – June 1996, navigator and instructor navigator, 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
4. June 1996 – July 2000, instructor navigator and flight commander, 562nd Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas.
5. July 2000 – May 2004, instructor navigator and assistant director of operations, 116th Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Georgia.
6. May 2004 – June 2009, deputy chief, Capabilities Division, Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy Directorate, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
7. June 2009 – present, commander, AFROTC Det 380, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: More than 3,800
Aircraft flown: KC-135R/T, T-43, and E-8C

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant – September 20, 1990
First Lieutenant – September 20, 1992
Captain – September 20, 1994
Major – October 1, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel – September 1, 2006