Lt Col Ryan “Ralphie” Ellis was an Air Force Senior Developmental Education Fellow assigned to Project Everest for academic year 2021-2022.

Background: Ralphie received his commission in 2003 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 060 while attending Harvey Mudd College.  After receiving his Navigator rating in the fall of 2004, he qualified as a mission crew commander on the EC-130H COMPASS CALL at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.  Lt Col Ellis went on to graduate and instruct at the US Air Force Weapons School, teaching advanced warfighting techniques and operational concepts.  From there he was selected to attend Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB and then moved to the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth.  Following his studies, Ralphie served on the Headquarters Air Force staff in A3K, also known as Checkmate, focusing on strategy and operations in the Indo-Pacific region.  More recently, Ralphie served as the EC-130H formal training unit director of operations, as well the 41 Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron commander in Afghanistan.  Finally, Lt Col Ellis took command of the 755 Operations Support Squadron in the summer of 2019.  He has over 1,800 hours in the EC-130H, including 1,000 hours of combat time.

Academic and Professional Titles:  Ralphie received his Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College.  He holds master’s degrees in American Military History from American Military University, Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, and Military Art and Science from the Command and General Staff College.