Phillip Sherwood

PHILLIP M. SHERWOOD
Simulation System Program Integrator
System Simulation Development Directorate
Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama

I reentered the active Army in September 1988 and was assigned to 6th Battalion 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a general support and air assault pilot. I deployed with the 101st on a combat tour to El Salvador in 1989, then again to the Persian Gulf in 1991. Upon returning from Desert Storm, I successfully assessed and entered the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) “Nightstalkers” to fly AH/MH-6 Light Attack/Assault Helicopters known as “Little Birds.” During “Green Platoon” pilot training, I attended the SERE High Risk Course at Ft. Bragg, NC and the Strategic Deployment School at Ft. Campbell, KY. I then went off to the degree completion program at Austin Peay State University, Tennessee and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with an emphasis on information systems management. Later, I received the UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft transition and subsequently attended and graduated from the Defense Language Institute Basic Spanish Course with assignment to D Co., 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Panamá to fly the MH-60L Assault Helicopter.  I then attended and graduated from the Aviation Maintenance Manager Course and UH-60 Maintenance Test Pilot Course. By now I was a Fully Mission Qualified (FMQ) Operator/Test Pilot but was also charged with providing training to Latin American military pilots during Foreign Internal Defense and Counter-Narcotic support missions throughout Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and other Central/South American countries. I also attended the Jungle Operations Survival Course for Aviators at Fort Kobbe, Panamá. Upon closure of the military bases in Panamá, I was selected for special assignment with the U.S. Department of State in Bolivia, South America as an Advisor to the Bolivian Air Force Counter-Narcotic Task Force known as the “Diablos Rojos.” Upon completion of this assignment, I went to the Operational Test Command – Aviation Test Directorate as the Operational Test Officer for the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and the Operations Test Officer for the Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures (SIRFC).   Due to “stop-loss”, I once again found myself in another combat theater as the Chief Maintenance Officer and UH-60 Maintenance Test Pilot Evaluator in Colombia, South America performing duties as the Army’s only Active Duty UH-60 Maintenance Test Flight Evaluator with a fluency in Spanish.  The TAFT security assistance mission, in support of “Plan Colombia”, provided me an opportunity to establish badly needed maintenance and logistics systems for a successful Foreign Military Sales program resulting in a greatly enhanced readiness posture for the Colombian military.

During my 23 years of military service, I’ve deployed to four different theaters of combat on multiple occasions, spent 19 of those years in combat arms rapid deployment units, and continually sought and mastered those challenges most soldiers chose to avoid.  Accomplished leader, proven manager and administrator,  I had a proven record of developing and motivating staff officers to develop and attain organizational goals.  I was a key team member having participated in worldwide deployments to over 15 different countries in support of the National Command Authority objectives.

Decorations include: Order of Saint Michael (Bronze), Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation, Army Commendation (3), Army Achievement (5), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary (3), South West Asia Service (2), Global War On Terrorism Service, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3), Saudi Arabian Liberation of Kuwait, Kuwait Liberation of Kuwait, Combat Medical Badge, Airborne Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge, Master Aviator Wings, Venezuelan Honor Merit Badge, Venezuelan Airborne Parachute Badge, numerous letters of commendation and certificates of appreciation.