Expertise
Executive Management, Workforce Development, Capabilities Planning & Integration, Developmental Planning, Organizational Leadership, Technology Transition, Test & Evaluation (T&E), Acquisition Management, Digital Engineering, Strategic Communication
Profile
Lt. General Carl Schaefer, USAF (Ret), has over 30 years of leadership, operational experience, and acquisition/test management in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Allied Services to deliver multi-billion dollar defense acquisition programs. He is an expert in strategic planning, leading large-scale operations, managing multi-billion-dollar budgets, engaging with Congress, and pioneering defense systems development. Carl has collaborated and teamed with every Major Command (MAJCOM) and Combatant Command to sustain operations and deliver future defense capabilities, including artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned systems. He is well versed in USAF science and technology (S&T), acquisition, test and evaluation (T&E), logistics, and installation support.
Significant Career Accomplishments
As the Deputy Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), oversaw 90,000+ personnel and a $60B annual budget, driving USAF and Allied partner S&T, acquisition, sustainment, test, and installation support enterprises; pioneered initiatives to enhance efficiency, operational readiness, and system integration for global USAF operations.
Cultivated a culture of innovation and excellence in the 412th Test Wing, leading to groundbreaking advancements in aerospace technology; responsible for testing all USAF major weapon systems including F-35, F-22, B-2, B-21, KC-46, etc., and unmanned aerial systems (UASs).
Worked directly for the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) and the Chief of Staff of the USAF (CSAF) to lead all integration efforts for the F-35A program; worked directly with the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), Air Combat Command (ACC), the Air Staff, the Navy, and the F-35 international partners to develop and beddown the F-35 across the world.
Commanded classified organization to develop and deliver capabilities directed by National Command Authorities (NCA), DoD, and the intelligence community; oversaw 100+ classified programs annually to conduct 9,000+ national priority missions per year.
Responsible for F-15, F-16, A-10, CV-22 and all USAF conventional munitions developmental test and evaluation (DT&E); conducted testing for all USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC) flying assets.
Key Positions
Deputy Commander, AFMC
Commander, 412th Test Wing (412 TW/CC)
Director, F-35 Integration Office (CSAF/IO)
Wing Commander, Data Masked
Commander, 46th Operations Group (46 OG/CC)
Deputy Commander, 412th Operations Group (412 OG/CD)
Commander, 445th Test Squadron (445 TS/CC)
Program Element Monitor, F-22/F-15 (SAF/AQ)
Education
MS, Systems Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
MA, Strategic Studies, Air War College
BS, Engineering Sciences, USAF Academy
Artificial Intelligence Course, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
