Fighters and Bombers Directorate gets new PEO

  • Published
  • By Brian Brackens
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Brig. Gen. Michael Schmidt assumed leadership as Program Executive Officer for the Fighters and Bombers Directorate within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at an April 8 ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, presided over by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Darlene Costello, and Lt. Gen. John Thompson, commander, AFLCMC.

Schmidt replaces Brig. Gen. Eric Fick who is leaving to become the director of Global Reach Programs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.

For the past two years Schmidt served as the Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces, where he was responsible for developing, producing, testing, modifying, fielding and supporting all Air Force ISR and SOF platforms and related sub-systems.

In his new position, Schmidt is responsible for the development, production, fielding, sustainment and modernization of fighters and bombers throughout the Air Force fleet. In addition he is also responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the F-35 System Program Office.

In his final comments as PEO, Fick thanked members of the directorate for their hard work and accomplishments and encouraged them to maintain their successful culture.

During the ceremony Schmidt said that he was excited about the job and looked forward to working with the men and women of the Fighters and Bombers Directorate.

"I really couldn't ask for a better team," said Schmidt. "I promise all of you that I will keep the great traditions of the Fighter Bomber portfolio going and that my goal is to make sure that when you leave your job, you feel as proud as I did when I left the F-22 Program Office many years ago."

Schmidt earned a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He has served as an engineer and program manager on numerous programs including the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, Joint Strategic Target Attack Radar System, AIM-120D and the F-22.