James E. Shepard

James E. Shepard, a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force, is a 2024-2025 Military Fellow at The Washington Institute. He served most recently as the senior executive officer to the Air Force Director of Staff at the Pentagon. In that role, he provided administrative and technical support to the Air Force Director of Staff. Additionally, he assisted in synchronizing and integrating policy, plans, positions, procedures, and cross-functional issues for the USAF headquarters staff.

Colonel Shepard received his commission in 2006 from Clemson University and he has served in a variety of positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. He has commanded at the squadron level, and his staff experience includes a major command, the Air Staff, and a unified combatant command.

As a command pilot, Colonel Shepard has commanded and instructed in both the KC-10 and C-5M aircraft accumulating over 3,900 flight hours. He has deployed seven times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn, as well as Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, during which he accumulated 220 combat sorties and more than 1,800 flight hours in combat. He is the recipient of a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Medal, and an Aerial Achievement Medal, among his many honors.