2019-2020 Nunn School Military Fellows

A native of Los Angeles, CA, Commander Raul Acevedo graduated from the United states Naval Academy in 2001, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Following his commission, he began flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL and was designated a Naval Flight Officer.

At sea, his career as an F/A-18F Weapon Systems Officer includes assignments with Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), where he deployed aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM; with Strike Fighter Squadron TWO (VFA-2) where he deployed twice aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN; with Strike Fighter Squadron ELEVEN (VFA-11) where he deployed aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He commanded Strike Fighter Squadron TWO ONE ONE (VFA-211) and deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in Support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Dynamic Force Employment strategic objectives.

Commander Acevedo is a graduate of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and was a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor at Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific. His other shore assignment was on the Joint Staff Operations Directorate (J-35) as an Action Officer for Regional Operations and Force Management.

Commander Acevedo has accumulated more than 3,200 flight hours and 700 carrier arrested landings. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous campaign and service awards. He attributes his success and awards to the tremendous men and women with whom he has served.

Commander Acevedo is married to the former Aileen Abate of Metairie, LA. They have three children; Raul, Lillian, and Elizabeth.

LTC Donald K. Brooks assumed command of the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Army Forces Strategic Command on 21 July 2017.

LTC Brooks is a 1999 graduate of the United States Military Academy where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned in the Field Artillery. After commissioning, LTC Brooks was assigned as an Artillery Platoon Leader, Battery Executive Officer, and Battalion S1 in 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment (MLRS), III Corps Artillery at Fort Sill, OK. Following the Field Artillery Advanced Course, he was assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, GA where he served as a Fire Direction Officer, Assistant Battalion S3, Battalion S3, and Alpha Battery Commander in 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment (M109A6), and Squadron Fire Support Officer in 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry. He has operational deployments to Operation Desert Spring, and Operation Iraqi Freedom I, III, and V.

LTC Brooks accessed as a Space Operations Officer in 2008. In 2009, he was assigned to the Joint Navigation Warfare Center (JNWC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM where he served as the Warfighter Support Division Chief and the Director of Operations (J3). Assigned to Special Operations Command – South in January 2014, LTC Brooks served as the Special Technical Operations Chief, Joint Effects Division Chief, and as the Future Operations Division Chief overseeing all non-lethal effects and future Special Operations in the United States Southern Command’s area of responsibility.

LTC Brooks holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy and a Master’s Degree in Earth Remote Sensing/Hyperspectral Imagery from the Florida Institute of Technology. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Joint Professional Military Education, Space Operations Officer Transition Course, Special Technical Operations Course, and Space 200 / 300.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Combat Action Badge, Army Master Space Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

LTC Brooks is married to the former Patricia (Patti) Laucks. Both consider Ormond Beach, FL as their hometown and have one son, Camden (age 10).

Lt Col John Wagemann, USAF, is a Fellow at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs where he brings a unique 18-year military perspective to the study and discussion of international affairs.

Upon completion of a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the USAFA, Lt Col Wagemann began his AF career by attending pilot training at Laughlin AFB, TX. Finishing pilot training he was selected to fly the F-15C and was stationed at Langley AFB, VA. After his first assignment he was selected to fly the F-22 and was among the first to transition to the Air Force’s newest air dominance fighter. Following that he became an instructor at the F-22 Formal Training Unit at Tyndall AFB, FL. From there Lt Col Wagemann was selected to attend Weapons School where he graduated in the third ever F-22 Weapons School class. Following Weapons School, he spent three years at Langley AFB as the squadron and wing weapons officer where he led the first ever overseas F-22 deployment in support of a theatre support package. Finishing that assignment, he attended ACSC at Maxwell AFB and then returned to fly F-22s at Nellis AFB. At Nellis he was the DO of the largest AF fighter squadron, the 422 TES. From there he took over as the DO of the 414 CTS running Exercise RED FLAG. Following his work at Red Flag, he attended the Service Chief Fellowship Program at DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He then took over as the commander of the 57th Operations Support Squadron, responsible for the Nellis airfield, radios, and Air Traffic Control, as well as aviation records management, wing scheduling, aircrew survival training, and the Nellis fighter simulator complex. Having grown up as the son of a Marine Aviator, Lt Col Wagemann developed an early love of flying and travel. He enjoys a wide variety of sports including racing triathlons and crossfit. He is married to the former Kirstin Anderson and is the proud father of three young girls.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Commander, 57 OSS, Jun 2017 to Jun 2019: Leads 270 personnel supporting Nellis air operations
• Manages Nellis airfield, radios, Air Traffic Control, Host Aviation Records Management, and simulators. Director of Operations, 414 CTS, Jul 2015 to Jun 2017: Synchronizes planning of 150 planners across 14 squadrons
• Lead planner for 4 multi-domain high-end exercises, creating coordinated training in air, space, and cyber domains Director of Operations, 422 TES, Aug 2014 to Jul 2015: Led 54 personnel and 44 aircraft fleet
• Directly supervised all aspects of flying and test operations for A-10, F-15C/E, F-16, F-22, and F-35A OT&E Chief of Wing Weapons and Tactics, 1 OSS, Sep 2012 to Jan 2013:
• Designed training plan for 3 squadrons across wing, coordinating live training events across East coast Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 94 FS, Jul 2010 to Jul 2012: Tactical leader of 30+ personnel, ensuring preparation for combat
• Sole F-22 liaison with COCOM planning staff for contingency planning operations

EDUCATION
2014 Masters of Military Operations Art and Science, Maxwell AFB, AL
2012 Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Liberty University, VA
2003 Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, CO