Biography
"I always remember an epitaph which is in the cemetery at Tombstone, Arizona. It says: 'Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damnedest.' I think that is the greatest epitaph a man can have - When he gives everything that is in him to do the job he has before him. That is all you can ask of him and that is what I have tried to do." -- Harry S. Truman
John S. Galliano is an Information Technology Specialist in Seoul, South Korea.
John enlisted in the Air Force in 1982 and graduated from technical training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi as an Avionics Navigation Systems Specialist. His first assignment was to Beale AFB, California working on SR-71 and U-2 aircraft as an Avionics Navigation Systems Technician in the 9th Strategic Recon Wing. He was later approved for cross training into the Weather career field as one of the first participants in the Air Weather Service fast-tracker program, and transferred to Chanute AFB, Illinois.
In 1987, he was assigned to Detachment 30, 2nd Weather Sq, Vandenberg AFB, California, supporting the West Coast Spaceport Program. In November 1988, he was re-assigned to Detachment 19, 15th Weather Sq, Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, where he served as weather forecaster, supporting the U.S. Navy's Strategic Anti-Submarine Program and Military Airlift Command's Atlantic Theater. In addition to his forecasting duties, he laid the groundwork for technology improvement programs: the Special Sensor Microwave Imagery (SSMI) and Automated Weather Distribution System (AWDS). In November 1990, he transferred to Detachment 13, 25th Weather Sq, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, supporting the 355th Air Wing. He served as the AWDS System Manager and Small Computer Manager for the 355th Operations Support Squadron. He deployed to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and Dhahran AB, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm, and spearheaded preparations for the unit's successful Operational Readiness Inspection in April 1994. In October 1994, he was re-assigned to the 62d Operations Support Sq, Weather Flight as Assistant Chief, Weather Station Operations in support of the 62d and 446th Air Wings and the Western Air Defense Sector. He assumed duties as Chief, Weather Station Operations in October 1995. In July of 1998, he was assigned to USAFE OWS as Operations Flight Chief and Training Superintendent. In June of 2002, he was assigned to the 607th Weather Sq, Yongsan AIN, Republic of Korea. From Jun 2003 to Jun 2008, he served as a budget, manpower and readiness officer for HQ PACAF, Hickam AFB, Hawaii practicing project management methodologies over a variety of weather programs and systems and executed an annual budget of $1.5M, oversaw nearly 400 manpower authorizations and a full range of warplans in support of the National Military Strategy. before assuming his present position. John is an Operation DESERT STORM veteran and supported Operation ALLIED FORCE, the air war over the former Yugoslavia and Kosovo.
EDUCATION:
1984 John Levitow Graduate, NCO Preparatory Course, Beale AFB, CA
1987 Distinguished Graduate, NCO Leadership School, Norton AFB, CA
1989 AAS Degree in Meteorology from the Community College of the Air Force
1993 Distinguished Graduate, NCO Academy, Bergstrom AFB, TX
1997 AAS Degree in Technology from Pierce Community College
1999 BS Degree Computer Systems/Internetworking from City University-Seattle in Tacoma, Washington
1999 Graduate, U.S. Air Force Senior NCO Academy
2001 MS Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland
2004 Master's Certificate in Project Management from Villanova University
2007 Graduate, Asian-Pacific Strategic Studies Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
ASSIGNMENTS:
Apr 82 - May 82: Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
May 82 - Nov 82: Avionics Systems Specialist Course, Keesler AFB, MI
Nov 82 - Dec 85: Avionics Navigation Systems Specialist, 9 AMS, Beale AFB, CA
Jan 86 - Nov 86: Weather Observing/Forecasting Courses, Chanute AFB, IL
Dec 86 - Dec 88: Weather Forecaster, Det 30, 2nd Weather Sq, Vandenberg AFB, CA
Dec 88 - Dec 90: Weather Forecaster, Det 19, 15th Weather Sq, Lajes Field, Azores, PO
Dec 90 - Sep 94: Weather Forecaster, Det 13, 25th Weather Sq, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
Sep 94 - Jul 98: Chief, Weather Station Operations, 62d OSS, McChord AFB, WA
Jul 98 - Jun 02: Flight Chief/Training Superintendent, USAFE OWS, Sembach AB, Germany
Jun 02 – Jun 03: Superintendent, 607th Weather Sq, Yongsan AIN, Republic of Korea
Jun 03 – Dec 05: Chief Enlisted Manager, HQ PACAF/DOW, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
Jan 06 – Jun 08: Budget, manpower and readiness officer, HQ PACAF, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
* Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with eight devices
* Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one device
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
* Southwest Asia Service Medal
* Korean Defense Service Medal
* Global War on Terror Medal
* National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
* Kuwait Liberation Medal from Kuwait