Maj Robert Ashby

Maj Robert W. Ashby is an Instructor of Systems Engineering in the School of Systems and Logistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Air Education and Training Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. In this position, he provides professional continuing education on acquisition and systems engineering topics for members across the Department of the Air Force. His instructional focus areas include risk management and management of systems engineering processes.

Maj Ashby commissioned in 2014 through the United States Air Force Academy and promptly furthered his education at the Air Force Institute of Technology, studying aeronautical engineering with an experimental thesis on gas turbine engine heat transfer. He also served as a test project engineer in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Aerospace Systems Directorate, overseeing experiments in a variety of wind tunnels. Prior to his current position, the major served as the Officer in Charge of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Technical Engineering Minot Operating Location, Minuteman III Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Minot AFB, ND. He led a team to provide round-the-clock, on-site engineering support for the Minuteman III weapon system, including evaluating impacts from major system modifications and upgrades, supporting maintenance and operational test efforts, and troubleshooting faults beyond the scope of published technical data.

Maj Ashby also served on the Wright-Patterson AFB Honor Guard from 2016 – 2017, rendering military honors and presenting final respects for deceased USAF veterans in a six state, 210 thousand square mile area.

EDUCATION

2014 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.

2017 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

2020 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

ASSIGNMENTS

1. August 2014 – March 2016, Graduate Student, Aeronautical Engineering Department, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio

2. March 2016 – March 2017, Aeronautical Systems Engineer, Aerospace Vehicles Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

3. March 2017 – April 2019, Plans and Programs Engineer, Plans & Programs Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

4. April 2019 – June 2023, Officer in Charge, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Technical Engineering Operating Location, Minuteman III Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Minot AFB, ND.

5. June 2023 – Present, Instructor of Systems Engineering, School of Systems and Logistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant May 28, 2014

First Lieutenant May 28, 2016

Captain May 28, 2018

Major 1 December, 2023

(Current as of December 2023)