Josh Klemen

Experience

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  Royal Military College of Canada/Collège militaire royal du Canada

  Jun 1999 - May 2003

  Student
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  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes

  May 2003 - Jun 2014

  Major Responsibilities: Planning and resource allocation for subordinate training institutions’ air support requirements. Instructed on Forward Air Control and Tactical Air Control Party courses. Developed the initial TACP course including academic curriculum development, resource forecasting and planning, and the practical evaluation exercise. Mentored subordinate TACP officer to ensure uninterrupted support to unit following my departure. Skills/Knowledge Gained: Refined planning, staff, instruction, mentoring and communication skills. Developed skills in creating course curriculum and training plans. Show less Major Responsibilities: Responsible to the Wing Operations Officer for the provision of safe, orderly and expeditious air traffic services to the Wing. As the Airfield Manager, ensured that airfield maintenance, lighting, wildlife control and snow removal did not negatively impact operations. Led a unit composed of 20 individuals through a period of intense transition in roles and procedures. As the principle advisor to the Wing Operations Officer on air traffic procedures, conducted an analysis of weather patterns and visual flight limitations to make recommendations for a revision to operational agreement with the civilian air traffic control agency. Skills/Knowledge Gained: Leadership and management for day-to-day operations. Improved written and verbal communications skills tailored to both subordinates and superiors. Show less Major Responsibilities: Responsible to the Task Force Commander and Air Wing Commander to integrate joint fires safely and effectively throughout the Task Force area of operations. As a TACP member, provided subordinate units with close air support coordination in the form of integrated air strikes coordinated with their fire and movement and in direct support to counter improvised explosion devices. Charged with training, supervising and managing a team of 10 TACP members and with overall supervision of all Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Task Force (approximately 24). Involved in planning air support to complex joint operations at the Brigade and Battalion level. Skills/Knowledge Gained: Leadership and management at the operational level of war. Supervising and personally conducting complex procedures in a stressful and demanding environment. Show less Major Responsibilities: Responsible to manage a crew of 3 personnel in the provision of air traffic services at a major military aerodrome. Managed a blend of civilian and military aircraft. Also responsible to manage the day-to-day airport conditions to include runway and taxiway surface conditions, bird and mammal control, and airfield lighting. Once qualified, was also required to provide initial training and qualification to new controllers. Skills/Knowledge Gained: Supervision and management skills in a high stress, no fail environment. Effective ATC operations require effective time management and superior temporal and spatial judgement. Show less

  • Officer Commanding - Tactical Air Control Party, Combat Training Centre

    Aug 2012 - Jun 2014

  • Officer Commanding - Military Aerodrome Control Unit

    Jul 2011 - Aug 2012

  • Officer Commanding – Tactical Air Control Party, Task Force Kandahar

    Nov 2010 - Jul 2011

  • Officer Commanding – Tactical Air Control Party, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group

    Jul 2008 - Nov 2010

  • Air Traffic Controller

    Jul 2004 - Jul 2008

  • Air Traffic Controller - Trainee

    May 2003 - Jul 2004
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  USAF Air Command and Staff College

  Jun 2014 - Jun 2017

  Major Responsibilities: International student in a rigorous academic environment, successfully obtaining a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Science. Participated in a Space elective and wrote a research paper that was recognized with a Dean’s research award.Skills/Knowledge Gained: In addition to enhanced writing and communication skills, obtained a much higher level of understanding of airpower, joint warfighting, leadership and international relations. Improved critical thought and academic abilities. Show less

  • Academic Instructor and Advisor

    Jun 2015 - Jun 2017

  • Student - Major

    Jun 2014 - Jun 2015
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  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes

  Jun 2017 - Jul 2019

  Major Responsibilities: To lead the planning staff for all domestic air operations and training. Key factor in operational readiness and generation of combat-capable Royal Canadian Air Force personnel and units for operational deployments. Skills/Knowledge Gained: Financial prioritization in a fiscally constrained environment. Linking objectives to strategic output. Major Responsibilities: To ensure that the Combat Operations Division effectively supported coalition ground forces and strategic goals in counter-ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria. Supported Director in planning complex air operations, ensured adherence to strict procedures to limit civilian casualties.Skills/Knowledge Gained: Developed stress management skills, rapid decision making skills, working with multiple ethnic/cultural partners towards common goal. Major Responsibilities: To coordinate readiness and capability of Air Traffic Control and Air Defense of approximately 1,000 controllers across 12 units located in Canada. Supported senior Director and fulfilled Director role during extended medical absence.Skills/Knowledge Gained: Improved analytical methodology, long-term planning, fiscal planning on multi-million dollar budget.

  • Director of Continental Exercises, Operations and Training, 1 Canadian Air Division

    Dec 2018 - Jul 2019

  • Deputy Director of Combat Operations, Coalition Air Operations Center

    Jul 2018 - Dec 2018

  • Senior Staff Officer, 1 Canadian Air Division

    Jun 2017 - Jul 2018
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  Eastern Air Defense Sector

  Jul 2019 - Jul 2022

  Commanding Officer, Canadian Detachment & Chief of Staff

  Major Responsibilities: To lead a detachment of Canadian Armed Forces members in assisting USAF domestic air defense of the eastern half of the United States. As Chief of Staff, ensure that subordinate units and staff members of a 400+ person organization accomplish the goals and operational tasks associated with a critical homeland defense mission.Skills/Knowledge Gained: Further opportunity to develop strategic planning. Synchronizing training, exercises and planning to meet long-term goals. Show less

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  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes

  Jul 2022 - now

  • Director Military Digital Operations

    Apr 2023 - now

  • Deputy Director Military Digital Operations

    Jul 2022 - Apr 2023