BIOGRAPHY
CHARLES D. RIECHERS, IPA
Special Assistant
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
Networks and Information Integration(OASD(NII))
Mr. Charles (Chuck) Riechers has served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for C3 Programs, Policy and Space Programs since July 2002. His responsibilities include policy matters related to unmanned aerial vehicles, oversight of special operational support activities, and technical insight and consultation on issues relevant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary. He is also Acting Chief Operating Officer for the Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts and an Oversight Executive for Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTD).
Mr. Riechers was born on April 11, 1960 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through USAF ROTC in 1982 (Distinguished Graduate).
After commissioning, Mr. Riechers attended Undergraduate Navigator Trainingat Mather AFB, CA, and received Navigator wings in 1983. Following Electronic Warfare (EW) Officer and B-52 Combat Crew Training (Distinguished Graduate), he was assigned to Wurtsmith AFB, MI, from 1984 into 1987, attaining the position of Senior EW Flight Examiner.
In 1987, Mr. Riechers was assigned as the Chief Systems Engineer (COMPASS CALL), Detachment 4, 2762 Logistics Squadron (Special), in Ontario, CA. He was directly responsible for the design and execution of major systems upgrades to DoD’s only theater capable command, communications, and control countermeasures aircraft, the EC-130H COMPASS CALL. His activities included flight operations in DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Mr. Riechers moved in 1993 to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, assigned to the 645 Materiel Squadron as Chief, Command and Control Warfare Branch. His responsibilities included management and implementation of highly classified programs.
Mr. Riechers was assigned to the Directorate of Information Dominance, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition), Pentagon, in 1997. As Chief, Special Projects Branch, he was responsible for the Predator UAV, signals intelligence systems, and the BIG SAFARI special projects acquisition system.
Mr. Riechers was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (C3I) as the Deputy Director for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Airborne Imagery Systems in March 2000. He provided oversight and policy guidance for UAV systems and airborne imagery payloads for both unmanned and manned aircraft. In April 2002, Mr. Riechers was selected as Acting Director for Sensor Policy, OASD(C3I). He was responsible for policy and integration issues related to terrestrial, maritime, and airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors. He assumed his current position as Special Assistant in July 2002 and was accepted the duties of Acting Chief of Operations for the ACTD Program in February 2005.
Mr. Riechers has a Masters of Electrical Engineering Degree (computer option) from California Polytechnic University (Pomona). He completed Squadron Officers’ School (Distinguished Graduate) and Air Command and Staff College in residence. He is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College Advanced Program Manager’s Course and a DAWIA certified Level III Program Manager (Acquisition Corps member).
Mr. Riechers retired after 20 years of service in September 2002, as a Lieutenant Colonel and Master Navigator (electronic warfare) with over 1900 flying hours. He and his wife Colleen reside in South Riding, VA.