Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2022) Plenary SPeaker

Colonel Jonathan E. Luminati

Senior Materiel Leader and Chief,
Integrated Experiments and Evaluations

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

Col Jonathan E. Luminati is the Senior Materiel Leader and Chief, Integrated Experiments and Evaluations Division at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. In this position he leads concept ideation, assessment, acquisition, operation, and transition activities for numerous satellite research and development programs supporting AFRL and the United States Space Force (USSF).

The Colonel was commissioned into the Air Force in May 1998 via the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Cornell University. He has served in a variety of acquisition-related positions supporting space systems, missile defense, sensors, and communications with efforts covering research and development through transition into operations. He also served as a political-military affairs strategist fostering closer military cooperation with numerous allied and partner nations. Prior to his current position, the Colonel was the Military Lead for Networked Command, Control, and Communication at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), the Pentagon, Washington D.C.

A core developmental engineer (62E) Colonel Luminati has experience the in program management (63), regional-affairs strategist (16R), and planning and programming (16R) career fields. He has a PhD in electrical engineering, specializing in radar along with level 3 certifications in engineering, program management and space systems.

EDUCATION

1998 Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

1999 Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

1999 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL

2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

2005 Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Tech, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

2009 Air Command and Staff College (via correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL

2010 Master’s Degree in National Security Studies, Naval Postgraduate School, CA

2012 Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Norfolk, VA

2014 Program Manager’s Course (PMT 401), Defense Acquisition University-West, San Diego, CA

2014 Air War College (via correspondence), Maxwell AFB, AL

2017 Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy and graduate of the Senior Acquisition Course, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Ft McNair, Washington D.C.

ASSIGNMENTS

• July 1999 – September 2000, Lead Electrical Countermeasures Engineer, Space Vehicles Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB), NM
• October 2000 – August 2001, Lead Threat Systems Engineer, Space Vehicles Directorate, AFRL, Kirtland AFB, NM
• September 2001 – August 2002, Lead Engineer, Real-Time Systems, Optical Surveillance System Program Office
• September 2002 – July 2005, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
• August 2005 – May 2006, Chief, Optical Technologies Branch, Office of Research, Secretary of the Air Force, Washington D.C.
• June 2006 – June 2007, Chief, Advanced Mission Concepts Branch, Office of Research, Secretary of the Air Force, Washington D.C.
• July 2007 – November 2008, Chief, Algorithm Development and ISR Sensors Division, Space Radar Integrated Program Office, Chantilly, VA
• December 2008 – August 2009, Radar Chief Scientist, Imagery Intelligence Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Chantilly, VA
• September 2009 – December 2010, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA.
• January 2011 – August 2012, Missile Defense Planner, Plans and Policy Directorate, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), Stuttgart, Germany
• September 2012 – April 2013, Nordics Country Desk Officer, Plans and Policy Directorate, USEUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany
• May 2013 – May 2014, Executive Officer, Plans and Policy Directorate, USEUCOM, Stuttgart, Germany
• June 2014 – July 2016, Materiel Leader and Chief, Advanced EHF Operations and Sustainment, MILSATCOM Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, CA
• August 2016 – June 2017, Student, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Ft McNair, Washington D.C.
• June 2017 – June 2018, ISR/UAS Weapon Systems Program Evaluation Officer, Joint Staff J8, the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
• July 2018 – June 2019, Chief Evaluator, Intelligence Programs, Joint Staff J8, the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
• July 2019 – May 2020, Military Lead, Networked Command, Control, and Communications, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
• June 2020 – Present, Senior Materiel Leader and Chief, Integrated Experiments and Evaluations Division, Space Vehicles Directorate, AFRL, Kirtland AFB, NM

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

• January 2011 – August 2012, Missile Defense Planner, Plans and Policy Directorate, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, as a major.
• September 2012 – April 2013, Nordics Country Desk Officer, Plans and Policy Directorate, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, as a major and lieutenant colonel.
• May 2013 – June 2014, Executive Officer, Plans and Policy Directorate, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, as a lieutenant colonel.
• June 2017 – June 2018, ISR/UAS Weapon Systems Program Evaluation Officer, Joint Staff J8, the Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a lieutenant colonel.
• July 2018 – June 2019, Chief Evaluator, Intelligence Programs, Joint Staff J8, the Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a lieutenant colonel and a colonel.
• July 2019 – May 2020, Military Lead, Networked Command, Control, and Communications, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), the Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a colonel.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

1998 Distinguished Graduate, Air Force ROTC Det 520, Cornell University

2009 National Reconnaissance Office Superior Service Medal

2010 Distinguished Graduate and Outstanding Air Force Graduate, Department of National Security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School

2017 Distinguished Graduate and Defense Acquisition University Award for Excellence in Research and Writing, Eisenhower School, National Defense University

2018 Joint Staff/J-8 Action Officer of the Year

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant May 23, 1998

First Lieutenant May 23, 2000

Captain May 23, 2002

Major September 1, 2007

Lieutenant Colonel February 1, 2013

Colonel May 1, 2019