Michael A. Fantini

Mike Fantini served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force, most recently as acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration and Requirements (A5) and Director of the Air Force Warfighting Integration Capability (AFWIC). He commanded combat forces during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and guided Middle East Policy as acting Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary Defense from 2014-2017.

Mike graduated from the Catholic University of America and commissioned as a distinguished graduate from the Howard University Air Force ROTC program. He served in a variety of operational assignments as an F-16 pilot, instructor pilot, and weapons officer. His operational tours include multiple combat deployments and command of a fighter squadron; the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group in Balad, Iraq; the 82nd Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas; the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, Kandahar, Afghanistan; and the NATO Kandahar Airfield. Prior to his AFWIC assignment he was Director of Global Power Programs Secretary of the Air Force Acquisition.

Mike has master’s degrees from the U.S. National War College in International Studies and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Aviation Science. In his off time, he’ll grab any type of flat object to either snow or water ski and is the proud parent of two USAF officers and one budding ROTC cadet.