Michael Carey (United States Air Force officer)
Michael J. Carey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Michael Joseph Carey[1] |
| Nickname(s) | Mike |
| Born | 1960 (age 63–64)[1] Arkansas |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1977–1983 (enlisted) 1983–2014 (officer) |
| Rank |  Major general (demoted to brigadier general) |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) |
Michael J. Carey (born 1960) is an American entrepreneur and former major general of the United States Air Force.[2] He served in the Air Force for 32 years, retiring as a brigadier general in 2014. After his military career, Carey became a business executive and consultant in the space and defense sectors.
Military Career
[edit]Carey enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 17, 1977. He received his commission as a second lieutenant on April 29, 1983, and progressed through the ranks:
- First Lieutenant: August 5, 1985
- Captain: August 5, 1987
- Major: November 11, 1994
- Lieutenant Colonel: January 1, 1998
- Colonel: August 1, 2002
- Brigadier General: November 14, 2008
- Major General: November 2, 2011
His notable assignments included:
- Deputy Director of Global Operations, Global Operations Directorate, USSTRATCOM (March 2008 – August 2010)
- Chief, USSTRATCOM Forward Integration Team, Kabul, Afghanistan (June 2009 – August 2009)
- Deputy Director of Command, Control and Nuclear Operations (J3), Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (August 2010 – June 2012)
In 1994, Carey was one of four members of the winning Guardian Challenge Team, which identified his unit as the Best Space Operations Unit globally, awarding the 3SLS the Chennault Trophy. This was the first Guardian Challenge competition, involving AFSPC units from around the world, including Canada and Australia, and representatives from the United States Navy.
In 2009, Carey deployed to Afghanistan as the Chief of the STRATCOM Forward Integration Team. His efforts were captured by the Air Force Art Program for posterity. During this time, he wrote an article titled "Integrating and Synchronizing Non-kinetic Effects: USSTRATCOM Forward Integration Team," published in High Frontier, Vol. 6, No. 4, in August 2010.
In 2013, Carey was reprimanded and relieved of command of the 20th Air Force and Task Force 214 following incidents occurring during the two-day U.S.-Russian Federation Nuclear Security Exercise in Sergeiv Posad, Moscow, Russia. During the event, it was reported that Carey had consumed excessive alcohol and otherwise behaved in a manner unbecoming an officer.[3] On April 10, 2014, it was announced that Carey would retire on June 1, 2014, in the rank of brigadier general.[4]
Post-Military Career
[edit]After retiring from the Air Force, Carey transitioned to the private sector:
- Founder and CEO of ATLAS Space Operations
- CEO and President of AAC Microtec North America, Inc.
- Founder of M. Carey Consultants, LLC
- Founder of CompressWave, LLC
As the founder and CEO of ATLAS Space Operations, Carey played a crucial role in developing innovative solutions for satellite communications and space data management. Under his leadership, ATLAS Space Operations focused on creating ground station services and network management software to enhance the efficiency and reliability of satellite communications. The company's efforts were crucial for various industries relying on satellite data.
ATLAS Space Operations received several accolades, including:
- Via Satellite Satellite Technology of the Year Award (2019) for innovative ground station technology
- NASA Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
- Ranked #102 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States
- Recognized in the Financial Times FT 1000 list as the #133 fastest-growing company in North and South America
- Listed by Morgan Stanley as one of the top 12 space industry disruptors
As Chief Operating Officer responsible for corporate growth, Carey contributed to ATLAS Space Operations' international expansion, focusing on developing partnerships and securing contracts for satellite communications services worldwide. His work extended from Alaska to American Samoa, and Finland to East Africa, with activities in Nairobi and Kigali related to expanding the company's global footprint. In East Africa, he worked with space agencies in Kenya and Rwanda to enhance satellite operations capabilities and connectivity solutions in the region.
Carey played a significant role in establishing and organizing the Michigan Space Forum, an event aimed at fostering discussions and collaborations within the space industry. The forum brought together government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore opportunities for space-related initiatives in Michigan.
He was also instrumental in creating the ATLAS Space Explorers program, aimed at inspiring and educating students about space science and technology. The program partnered with schools and educational institutions to provide students with hands-on learning experiences related to satellite communications and space data management. This initiative focused on cultivating interest in STEM fields among students, particularly in aerospace and satellite technology.
As President of AAC North America, a subsidiary of AAC Microtec (now AAC Clyde Space), Carey led the partnership with York Space Systems. His industry insights, leadership, and collaboration were valuable in AAC Microtec's successful efforts to go public.
In 2023, ATLAS Space Operations became a Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer, recognizing the company's commitment to hiring and supporting military veterans.
Education
[edit]- 1982 Bachelor of Arts degree in history, University of Central Florida, Orlando
- 1986 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 1988 Master of Public Administration degree, University of Oklahoma, Norman
- 1995 Air Command and Staff College (distinguished graduate), Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 1998 Armed Forces Staff College, Joint and Combined Staff Officer School, Norfolk, Virginia
- 1999 Air War College, by correspondence
- 2001 Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies (with distinction), Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
- 2005 National Security Fellow, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, New York
- 2008 National Committee on U.S.-China Relations China Seminar, New York
- 2010 U.S.–Russia Course, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.[2]
Awards and decorations
[edit]
|
Command Space Operations Badge |
|
Master Aircrew Badge (Officer) |
|
Master Missile Operations Badge |
|
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
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References
[edit]- ^ a b "Michigan Voter Registration". VoterRecords.com. June 23, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Major General Michael J. Carey". United States Air Force. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
- ^ "20th Air Force commander relieved of command" (Press release). Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs. October 11, 2013. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
- ^ "Former 20th Air Force commander fired after Russia trip will retire as 1-star". militarytimes.com. April 10, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
This article incorporates public domain material from Major General Michael J Carey. United States Air Force.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Michael J. Carey at Wikimedia Commons
