Silver
Wings Over Washington
Our mission is to provide an educational foundation that inspires, advocates, and fosters a venue for learning through aviation, especially for the younger generation; a forum for networking among members, colleagues and friends with remarkable speakers and camaraderie across the board. "What's Past is Prologue"
We are delighted to announce Dr. Linton Wells II will be our distinguished speaker at our May Speakers Luncheon.
Dr.
Linton Wells II, PhD
Director, Center for Technology & National Security Policy
at
National Defense University
Thursday,
May 24, 2012
l
|
While
introducing Lin Wells during his most recent appearance on Vago
Muradian’s “Defense News" TV Show, the host described Linton as one of the sharpest minds at the National Defense University. Those who know Lin or have worked with him, would agree.
At
our May meeting, we will be privileged to have Dr. Wells address our
Silver Wings luncheon to
discuss emerging defense challenges, national
security structure, current issues and strategic trends shaping the
future for America.
Lin
will also talk about the upcoming annual gathering at the
International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, Kansas, “an oasis of
aviator remembrance” which was co-founded by his mother, pioneer
aviatrix, news correspondent and world traveler Fay Gillis Wells, a
member of Silver Wings
for many years.
“Dr. Linton Wells II is a
Distinguished
Research Professor who currently serves as the Transformation Chair at
the National Defense University.
Prior
to coming to NDU he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense
(OSD) from 1991 to 2007, serving last as the Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Networks and Information Integration).
In
addition, he has served as the Acting Assistant Secretary and DoD Chief
Information Officer. His other OSD positions included Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications and
Intelligence-C3I) and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy Support)
in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy).
In
twenty-six years of naval service, Dr. Wells served in a variety of
surface ships, including command of a destroyer squadron and a guided
missile destroyer. In addition, he acquired a wide range of experience
in operations analysis; Pacific, Indian Ocean and Middle East affairs;
and C3I.
Recently
he has been focusing on STAR-TIDES,
a research project focusing on affordable, sustainable support to
stressed populations and public-private interoperability. Dr. Wells was
born in Luanda, Angola, in 1946. He was graduated from the United States
Naval Academy in 1967 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics
and oceanography. He attended graduate school at The Johns Hopkins
University, receiving a Master of Science in Engineering degree in
mathematical sciences, and a PhD in international relations.
He is also a
1983 graduate of the Japanese National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo,
the first U.S. naval officer to attend there. Dr. Wells has written
widely on security studies in English and Japanese journals. He
co-authored Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific
War, which was published
in 1997 and co-edited Crosscutting Issues in International
Transformation, published in 2009.
His
hobbies include naval history, the relationship between policy and
technology, and scuba diving. He has thrice been awarded the Department
of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
In
2009 Lin Wells was listed among CNN Money's "16 Players of Tech" for
his involvement in STAR-TIDES. Along with his work at the NDU's Center
for Technology and National Security Policy, Dr. Linton Wells -- who has
26 years of Naval service and more than 15 years in the Office of the
Secretary of Defense under his belt -- has been focusing on STAR-TIDES, a
research endeavor that examines how to provide resources like
technological infrastructure in places stricken by disaster, poverty, or
war."
Honors
and Awards: DoD Medal for Distinguished Public Service (3). Defense
Superior Service medal and Legion of Merit.
Academia: National Institute for Defense Studies,
Boueikenshushou; The Johns Hopkins University, PhD,
International
Relations (1971-1975); The Johns Hopkins University, MSE, Mathematical
Sciences (1971-1974); United States Naval Academy, BS,
Physics & Oceanography
(12963-1967).
Principal
Interests: Linton is also very involved with the progress and leadership
of the International Forest of
Friendship, whose
motto is: "World Friendship
through Flying".
The IFoF was co-founded by Linton's
mother, Fay Gillis Wells,
a charter member (#5) of the Ninety-Nines, a friend of Amelia Earhart, a
pioneer aviator and a well known international journalist who covered
and broadcast world's historic events with her celebrated American
foreign correspondent husband, Linton Wells, who
learned to fly in
1915.
On
the personal side, Lin has an in depth
knowledge of naval history, and enjoys traveling with his delightful
spouse Linda.
