Rebecca Heyse

Experience

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  United States Air Force

  Jul 2007 - Nov 2009

  Chief of Public Affairs, 6th Air Mobility Wing

  Led a team of 15 journalists, photographers and broadcasters who created products to tell the story of the 6th Air Mobility Wing. Served as the primary communication advisor to the Wing Commander. Spokesperson for the 3,000 person Wing to the 13th largest media market in the U.S.

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  Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul

  Nov 2009 - Nov 2010

  Information Operations Officer

  - Led more than 100 ground combat missions and mentored/trained five provincial-level government officials to execute strategic communications programs, connecting the government with key influencers at the provincial, district, village level – US Ambassador Eikenberry delivered results in US-AFG policy review- Oversaw development of provincial radio expansion in Zabul, leveraged radio as the primary means of government to citizen communication -- increased radio reach by 33%, employed 20 local nationals, grew grassroots radio human capacity 500% -- resulted in construction of first provincial media center- Established regional command model for religious engagement operations -- united Islamic scholars and provincial officials to formally address religious outreach across the province; advised founding of Zabul Public Outreach Committee, which facilitated government execution of 300 mosque rehab projects and delivered religious items to 4,000 Zabulis during Islamic holy days- Facilitated more than $1.2mil in funding of 12 strategic initiatives in areas of governance, communication capacity, and reintegration, which created leadership positions for Afghans in radio, newspaper and government- Planned and executed 1 media embed and 1 Congressional Staff Delegation visit for Speaker Nancy Pelosi - coverage amplified ISAF and Afghan government progress in militarily and politically strategic terrain - First Female Engagement Team lead in Zabul province; led efforts to provide skills training to women of Zabul, partnering with female government and community leaders Show less

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  Headquarters Pacific Air Forces

  Jan 2011 - Jul 2013

  Public Affairs Officer

  Coordinated and directed adminstrative aspects of headquarters directorate for 22 people. Provided key interface and workflow between Air Staff agencies and 3 numbered air forces and 10 wing staffs. Higher headquarters liaison for 180 public affairs practitioners thoughout the Asia-Pacific region. Developed/executed communication strategies, policies and tactics on behalf of 43,000 Airmen, delivering command priorities across the Asia-Pacific region. Facilitated high-level media embeds and served as a crisis communication responder to international mediaNotable Engagements: Japan Natural Disaster Relief Operations (2011)Notable Deployments: Key Resolve (United States Forces Korea, Jan 2011), Talisman Sabre (Australia, July 2011), Keen Edge (United States Forces Japan, Jan 2012), Cope North (Guam, March 2012), Kiwi Flag (New Zealand April 2012), Pacific Angel-Vietnam (Vietnam June 2012) Show less

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  Joint Task Force Bravo

  Sept 2012 - Mar 2013

  Director of Public Affairs

  Led Public Affairs operations for 900-person Joint Task Force in 7-nation area of responsibility. Coordinated with US Embassies, US Southern Command & partner nation governments to synchronize communication efforts for joint task force operations. Accomplishments include:-- Coordinated and produced photo and story coverage of 4 medical readiness training exercises in 3 countries. Products provided vital documentation of partnership being built with counterparts and were used by other government agencies and civilian media. -- Coauthored background paper on operational impact of sequestration for Secretary of Defense. -- Drafted fact sheets for use by US Embassy-- Coordinated media engagements with New York Times and New Yorker; articulated mission to wide audiences and responded to sensitive queries; neutralized negative stories -- Maximized influence of VIP event hosting US Ambassador to Honduras and 61 Honduran government leaders; 15 honduran media attended and highlighted partnership between US and Honduras. Coordinated with Honduran military counterparts to execute event. Show less

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  UPS

  Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

  Education with Industry Fellow

  One of 30 active duty Air Force officers, and only Public Affairs officer, selected to embed with a leading civilian company for 10-months to learn best practices and understand their operations. At UPS I serve in the Corporate Public Relations group managing a number of different projects including working on the government (defense, state and federal) segment communication team and the Peak Season (holiday season) team.

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  United States Air Force

  Jul 2014 - Jan 2017

  Develops and implements communication strategies and/or on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force. This includes but is not limited to media engagements, public engagements with civic and political leaders, corporate communications within the Total Force Air Force (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve), think tanks discussions and meetings with industry partners. Manages social media presence. Planned, developed and managed education and training policy for more than 5,500 Air Force Public Affairs professionals.

  • Public Affair Advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force

    Oct 2014 - Jan 2017

  • Chief, Curriculum Development

    Jul 2014 - Oct 2014
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  56th Fighter Wing

  Feb 2017 - Jun 2019

  Chief, Public Affairs

  Led a team of 25 military and civilian Airmen to tell the story of how the 56th Fighter Wing is building the future of airpower! Oversee management of the public website, 6 social media accounts and photo studio serving base population of 5K. Facilitates an average of 20 national and international media visits per year and more than 25 community tours balancing access to the installation with security of more than $7 Billion in assets (90 F-35As, 77 F-16s).

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  U.S. Naval War College

  Jul 2019 - Jun 2020

  Student - Command Naval Staff College
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  United States Air Force

  Jun 2020 - Jun 2022

  Commander, 36th Force Support Squadron
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  US Air Force Special Operations Command

  Jun 2022 - now

  Director Of Public Affairs