Colonel Charles E. "Ched" Beam is the Chief, Live/Virtual/Constructive-Operational Training (LVC-OT) in the Directorate of Air Operations, Pentagon, Washington, DC. His division, comprised of military, civilian and contracting personnel is responsible for oversight, policy, guidance development, and direction for cross-command LVC (Live, Virtual and Constructive)/DMO (Distributed Mission Operations). His branch is responsible for four Air Force Programs providing critical oversight and monitoring for the execution of $1.5B across the FYDP (Future Years Defense Plan) and encompassing 13 MAJCOM's/Agency's efforts.
Colonel Beam earned his commission from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, as a Distinguished ROTC Graduate in 1989. He graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training and earned his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in 1991. His assignments have included two stateside operational tours in C-130 squadrons, one overseas C-130 assignment, one C-130 schoolhouse tour and two separate assignments on the Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Colonel Beam has commanded two squadrons, the 43rd Operations Support Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, and the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
Colonel Beam is a master navigator with 3,500 hours primarily in the C-130E/H to include 160 combat hours, 500 hours of instructor and evaluator time and missions flown in support of Operations Southern Watch, Provide Promise, Provide Comfort, Joint Guard, Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel Beam is married to the former Samantha Gunter of Lincolnton, NC. Together they have two children, Henderson, 17, and Sarah, 13.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, The Citadel, Charleston, SC (AFROTC Distinguished Graduate)
1997 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL (residence)
1999 Master of Science in Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
2001 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence) Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2002 Master of Air Mobility, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
2003 Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, RI
2006 Air War College (correspondence), Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
- May 1990 - September 1991, Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training and Navigator Graduate Flying Program Project Officer, Mather AFB, CA
- October 1991 - January 1992, C-130E Initial Navigator Qualification Training, Little Rock AFB, AR
- January 1992 - June 1996, Instructor AWADS Navigator, 40th Airlift Squadron and 41st Airlift Squadron; Wing Long-Range Scheduler and JA/ATT Planner, 23d Operations Support Squadron, Pope AFB, NC.
- July 1996 - July 2000, Evaluator AWADS Navigator, 37th Airlift Squadron, then Assistant Chief, Standardization and Evaluation Division, 86th Operations Group, Ramstein AB, Germany
- August 2000 - May 2001, Assistant Operations Officer, 62nd Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, AR
- June 2001- June 2002, Advanced Study of Air Mobility, Air Mobility Warfare Center, Ft. Dix, NJ
- July 2002 - June 2003, College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport, RI
- July 2003 - June 2006, Chief Mobility and Special Operations Program Integration, Global Mobility Division and later Chief, Program Integration, Plans and Program Directorate, Headquarters US Air Force, Washington, DC
- July 2006 - May 2008, Director of Operations, 41st Airlift Squadron, and Chief of Wing Safety, 43d Airlift Wing, Pope AFB, NC
- June 2008 - July 2010, Commander, 43d Operations Support Squadron, Pope AFB, NC
(May - Sep 2008, Commander, 777 Expeditionary Airlift Squadron , Balad AB, Iraq)
- August 2010 - June 2010, Chief, Training and Exercises Branch, Operational Training Division, Operations Directorate, Headquarters US Air Force, Washington, DC
- July 2011 - PRESENT, Division Chief, LVC (Live, Virtual and Constructive)-Operational Training, Operations Directorate, Headquarters US Air Force, Washington, DC
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight Hours: 3500
Aircraft: T-43, C-130E/H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant: 13 May 1989
First Lieutenant: 7 November 1991
Captain: 7 November 1993
Major: 1 March 2001
Lieutenant Colonel: 1 February 2006
Colonel: 1 July 2011
(Current as of 1 Sep 2014)