Edwin Callahan

Experience

• 

  US Army

  Jan 2002 - Jul 2024

  Served with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and deployed in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.Advised senior leaders of the 10th Iraqi Division on the best training for their infantry battalions. Worked closely with Iraqi Brigade and Battalion Commanders of the 10th Iraqi Division on developing and achieving training objectives at their local training center (Tadrib al Shamil-- TaS). Advised and trained Iraqi cadre (observers / controllers) on training principles and the fundamentals of infantry tactics. Show less Served with 2nd Brigade Combat Team (DAGGER) and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, then served with 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team (DEVIL) as an instructor, trainer, and executive officer. Both brigades assigned to the 1st Infantry Division.Served as an operations officer on a deployed Military Transition Team (MiTT) in Baghdad, Iraq (OIF). Advised an Iraqi Brigade commander and his staff on tactical operations, and application of staff planning tools, during the surge operations in Iraq, 2007. Returned to Fort Riley, Kansas, and enabled future MiTTs, by ensuring and coordinating training resources, to deploy in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Coordinated the reception, training, and deployment of approximately 350 Soldiers every other month. Show less

  • Retired Army Officer

    Dec 2022 - Jul 2024

  • Army Officer (Field Artillery)

    Dec 1992 - Dec 2022

  • U.S. Army War College student

    Jul 2015 - Jun 2016

  • Dean of Students / Instructor

    Apr 2014 - Jul 2015

  • Army Officer (Inspector General)

    Feb 2012 - Apr 2014

  • Stability Transition Team (STT) commander

    Oct 2010 - Jan 2012

  • Brigade Executive Officer (XO) and Battalion Operations Officer (S3)

    Feb 2009 - Sept 2010

  • Battalion Executive Officer (XO) and Military Tranisition Team Operations Officer

    Jul 2006 - Jan 2009

  • Observer / Controller (O/C)

    Jan 2002 - Jan 2005
• 

  Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy)

  Jun 2016 - Dec 2022

  Assisted the Gulf Arabian Peninsula Director in the management of six foreign area specialists on matters related to the region. Advised senior policy executives and prepared time-sensitive briefs, information papers, and decison packages for use in Policy decisions that impact bilateral security partnerships and promote U.S. national security interests in the Middle East. Specialized in strengthening bilateral security relationships - through key leader engagements, security cooperation, defense of the Kingdom, and training excercises - with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Worked closely and collaboratively with members in various U.S. government agencies, such as the National Security Council and State Department as well as members of our Intelligence Community. Show less Assisted the Iran Director in the management of seven foreign area specialists on matters related to Iran and its destabilizing actions in the region under the era of the Maximum Pressure Campaign. Advised senior policy executives and prepared time-sensitive briefs, information papers, and decison packages for use in Policy decisions that impact bilateral security partnerships and promote U.S. national security interests in the Middle East. Specialized in strengthening multilateral security relationships with our Five-Eye Allies and France and implementing new security constructs (e.g., International Maritime Security Construct and multi-nation air defense initiatives. Worked closely and collaboratively with members in various U.S. government agencies, such as the National Security Council and State Department as well as members of our Intelligence Community. Show less Assisted the Europe Northwest Director in the management of eight foreign area specialists on matters related to the region and more than fourteen nations. Advised senior policy executives and prepared time-sensitive briefs, information papers, and decison packages for use in Policy decisions that impact bilateral security partnerships and promote U.S. national security interests in Europe, NATO, and other regions of interest, such as the Sahel, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific.Specialized in strengthening bilateral security relationships - through key leader engagements, security cooperation, and training excercises - with France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Secured bilateral agreements for increased intelligence, cyber, and counter-terrorism coopertion. Worked closely and collaboratively with members in various U.S. government agencies, such as the National Security Council and State Department as well as members of our Intelligence Community. Show less

  • Deputy Director (Gulf Arabian Peninsula) and Country Director (Saudi Arabia)

    Jan 2021 - Dec 2022

  • Deputy Director and Country Director (Iran)

    Jul 2019 - Dec 2020

  • Deputy Director (Europe NW region) and Country Director (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)

    Jun 2016 - Jun 2019
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  Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

  Sept 2023 - now

  Deputy Defense Coordinator

  Global Coalition to Defeat-ISIS coordination cell