FDD sponsors educational opportunities for mid-career U.S. national security professionals. Alumni of these programs are not FDD employees and join FDD’s National Security Network (NSN).
National Security Network Participant
FDD’s National Security Fellow
2025
National Security Network Participant

Rich Lewis

U.S. Army

Biography

Last updated: Jan 15, 2025

Rich Lewis, a native of Richmond, Virginia, was commissioned into the Air Defense Artillery branch upon graduating from the United States Military Academy in 2007. Most of his air defense assignments focused on short-range air defense (SHORAD); however, his most recent operational role included fulfilling the positions of chief of staff and chief of operations for the only Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) unit in the Republic of Korea. His career assignments include providing support to the Defense Support to Civil Authorities mission in Alaska and two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition to graduating from resident CGSC (Command and General Staff College), he earned his master’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2020. Currently, he supports the Joint Counter-small UAS Office (JCO) as the international engagements branch chief within the Strategy and Policy Division. His roles and responsibilities include outreach to partners and allies in support of combatant command priorities to identify areas of shared interest and mutual benefit. This role facilitates interface with the AUKUS, FVEY, and NATO communities of interest and has enabled progress toward integration with key partners.

Full Bio