Michael Kestemont

Experience

• 

  Armée de l’air et de l’espace

  Aug 1996 - now

  I'm sort of the base commander's deputy in charge of base transformation.The armies hub was created in order to be able to project all soldiers departing from an air base, whereas these personnel previously departed from Paris international airport(LFPG)I have to make sure that all the infrastructures built within the framework of the MRTT program will be delivered within the time and cost set and that they will meet the operational needs of the forces.I am also responsible for the organizational changes of the base allowing the terminal to transit more than 100,000 passengers per year, 9,000 tonnes of freight per year, but also to be able to ship all kinds of ammunition.We must therefore build a logistics platform to ensure the break of cargo between the road and the air and an aeronautical installation to obtain the same effect for ammunition.Such changes in the flow of people and cargo will have consequences for off-base traffic. We are therefore working with the local civil authorities to improve the road infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the base and the public transport serving the terminal. Show less - perform and implement HR projections in order to size all the French units that will operate the MRTT (flight crews, mechanics, support staff).- Preparing and facilitating the operational use by the customers of new capabilities or new aircraft like the new generation A330 multirole transport and tanker aircraft;- be the technical advisor of the civil engineering services in charge of building the next operations building, training building and the future army hub;- develop and implement all the changes necessary for the transfer of the armies hub from Roissy to Istres. Show less Position similar to manager of an engineering consulting team.* Human, technical and financial management: - 65 individuals including 10 technical managers; - 3 sectors: Airbus A330 MRTT "Phenix" aircraft capacity, Boeing C135-FR "stratotanker" aircraft capacity and Air Force air-to-air refuelling expertise; - 10 significant affairs including the Airbus A330 multirole tanker and transport aircraft; - missions funding management : 100k€.* NATO National representative for air-to-air refuelling standardization issues: - responsible for 6 technico-operational documents including doctrine and operations normalization.* Technical adviser for the Air Force headquarters.* work in coordination with DGA (Délégation Générale à l'Armement) and industrial partners. Show less

  • “army hub” project manager

    Sept 2022 - now

  • deputy wing commander - CTO

    Sept 2018 - Jul 2024

  • Management/Head of Air to Air Refuelling and strategic airlift operational test and evaluation group

    Sept 2014 - Sept 2018

  • Expert/Head of the operations in Africa for the Air Operations Headquarter

    Sept 2011 - Sept 2014

  • Management/Operations manager

    Sept 2008 - Sept 2011

  • Management/senior staff at the French Air Force academy

    Aug 2006 - Sept 2008

  • Expert/Air to air refuelling aircraft captain

    Aug 2004 - Aug 2006

  • Air force commissioned officer

    Aug 1996 - Aug 2004