By Jonathan Movroydis
Col. Denny R. Davies, representing the US Air Force, is a National Security Affairs Fellow (NSAF) for the academic year 2020–21 at the Hoover Institution.
In this interview, Davies talks about his career in the US Air Force, specifically as a C-130 pilot during missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as the deputy executive assistant to the commander of Indo-Pacific Command. He also discusses his research focus as a Hoover National Security Affairs Fellow about the history and future of the all-volunteer force, including articles he wrote about servant citizenship of military officers, the role of military spouses, and why such a system of recruitment should be maintained.
Why did you join the US Air Force?
When I was in high school, the regional Air Force Academy recruiter was an assistant scoutmaster in my Boy Scout troop. He convinced me to pursue a nomination to the Air Force Academy.
In the summer prior to my senior year of high school, I attended a program at the academy called the Summer Scientific Seminar, which informs prospective cadets about the opportunities that the school offers. Later in my senior year I was accepted, and I went ahead and took the leap.
Most of my buddies attended the academy because they wanted to become pilots. I wanted to go because of the academic challenge and rigor. The opportunity to become a pilot was just the icing on the cake.
Will you tell us about your educational background?
The Air Force Academy was definitely the most all-encompassing educational experience I will ever have in my lifetime. My major was business management. However, the multipronged focus on mental, physical, military, and spiritual pillars truly prepares cadets to be officers in the air force. As officers, academy graduates apply this practical knowledge to both their own lives and the lives of the airmen they lead.
As an officer, I had the opportunity to attend the National Intelligence University, which was then located at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC, where I earned a master of science in strategic intelligence. Beyond that, I received a master of arts in international relations from the University of Oklahoma. Those programs were good, but the educational pinnacle for me will always be graduation day at the Air Force Academy.
Will you describe your role as a C-130 pilot in the Air Force, especially in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan?
I was deployed six times, mostly as a pilot on an air crew. I went four times to Iraq and Kuwait and twice to Afghanistan between 2004 and 2010. Some of the most rewarding flying in my entire career was in Afghanistan. As with any other career field, as air crew we train for hundreds if not thousands of hours to hone the skills and expertise necessary to perform any mission, anytime, anywhere.
The C-130 is particularly dynamic, because we can do everything from worldwide cargo runs to tactical insertion of troops and equipment into dirt strips between mountain ranges, and everything in between. These missions include nighttime formation airdrops, aeromedical evacuation, and distinguished visitor transportation, just to name a few.
Some people go their entire careers without using their array of skills in the airplane. In Afghanistan, I had the opportunity to lead nighttime formation airdrops near mountain ranges, flying very low as drop-zone coordinates shifted due to the actively evolving battlefield situation. Within the formation, we were simultaneously talking on six different radio frequencies. Talk about being thankful for solid training! The feeling is incredible when an air crew member learns that army soldiers successfully received their entire resupply after a stressful mission like that.
The most emotionally draining missions I've performed were human remains missions. C-130s usually move the remains from small dirt airfields to the big hubs for their dignified return to the United States on larger aircraft. No other nation can match the respect and dignity of the United States in the recovery of the fallen, and each movement is performed with deep reverence and tribute. It was a personal honor to assist in those missions.
Will you talk about your assignment as the deputy executive assistant to Admiral Philip Davidson, head of Indo-Pacific Command, and how it shaped your perspectives on US-China competition?
It was definitely an honor working as Admiral Davidson's deputy executive assistant. The job really opened my eyes to the value that each service brings to the table, particularly in the era of great-power competition.
In the Pacific, an Air Force pilot like me certainly develops a sincere appreciation for the incredible efforts of our United States Navy throughout vast expanses, like the Indian and Pacific Oceans. I also gained insight into the incredible value of our allies and partners, particularly in East Asia and throughout Oceania. Our ability to preserve and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and rules-based international order will increasingly hinge on those partners and allies. US Indo-Pacific Command is at the cutting edge of addressing security challenges in conjunction with our allies and partners, and these are obviously leading topics here at the Hoover Institution as well.
What has been the defining moment in your career?
I'm not sure I can narrow down my career to a defining moment, but what I can provide are moments of honor throughout my career. For instance, I was honored to deploy to the Middle East and offer service to the country. I was honored to become an aircraft commander and instructor pilot, and to be trusted by my country and military leadership to execute missions safely and effectively. I was honored to work directly for two eventual combat commanders and to learn how to think strategically from each of them. First, Lieutenant General Thomas Waldhauser (USMC), who at the time was director of Joint Force Development on the Joint Staff and later became head of USAFRICOM, and second, Admiral Davidson, the USINDOPACOM commander.
I was honored to receive the opportunity to command the nation's only active-duty air force tactical airlift squadron in the western Pacific, and hundreds of the finest men and women the United States has to offer. I have been extremely honored to wear the title of “fellow” at the Hoover Institution this past year. Finally, the most important honor is the title of American airman, one which I wear proudly alongside hundreds of thousands of amazing men and women across the globe.
What is your research focus at Hoover?
With all the negativity in the media this past year, from politics to the pandemic and everything in between, I wanted to write a series of op-eds that showcase the amazing all-volunteer force, which is rapidly approaching its fiftieth year since enacted by President Nixon in 1973.
Starting at the individual level, I wrote an article drawing parallels between servant citizenship of military members and civilians, as well as another highlighting the role of military spouses, the most amazing heroes in our country. Taking an organizational view, I wrote a piece defending the future of the all-volunteer force, and rounded out the writing with a call for the next generation to consider military service as the “diving board” to achieve their American Dream.
Is there anyone among the Hoover fellowship who helped you think differently, especially about the subject matter you are currently studying and researching?
Certainly, the closest relationships I've developed here at Hoover had been with my fellow National Security Affairs Fellows. They represent every service in the Department of Defense, the US Coast Guard in the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State. Despite this being a small group of eight fellows, we definitely approach policy issues from all points on the national security spectrum. The open dialogue has been great as we refine our positions and analyze alternative ideas we may not have considered before engaging with others in our diverse but small group.
I do want to highlight our esteemed senior fellow and program coordinator, Dr. Amy Zegart. Between being a Stanford professor, authoring a new book this year, holding multiple fellowships, engaging several organizations and think tanks on cybersecurity issues, and leading our unique band of brothers, she probably has had the busiest year of her professional career. However, she always finds time to make the NSAFs a priority and to engage with us on issues on that we are researching, writing, or teaching.
I also wanted to highlight Mr. Robert Oster, who, along with his wife, Marion, underwrite our program. Bob is personally engaged with each of the NSAFs, and he's become a great teacher, mentor, confidant, and friend along this Hoover journey. He is undoubtedly a Hoover treasure.
Where will your assignment be following this fellowship?
Following this fellowship, I'm headed off to Ramstein Air Base in Germany to become the vice commander of the 86th Airlift Wing. The airlift wing operationally has a C-130 airlift squadron there, as well as a distinguished visitor airlift squadron. The wing oversees the Kaiserslautern military community, which is the largest community of American military personnel located outside of the United States.
What does leadership mean to you?
I truly believe you cannot become a fully effective leader without incorporating the word “servant” before “leader.” A servant-leader is one who remains personally above reproach and considers the needs of the individuals in the organization before him- or herself. Furthermore, a servant-leader doesn't ask anyone to do something he or she isn’t willing to do. When earned, he or she lavishes praise in public and scolds in private. A servant-leader is always ready to speak truth to power.
I believe the beauty of leadership is that it can be taught. Sure, some individuals are naturally outgoing and effective communicators who take to leading more easily than others. However, the military is the ultimate proving ground. We learn how to become appropriate followers first, to listen, take orders, execute excellence in our work, and move forward as a team. Through our followership training, education, and mentorship, we transition to leaders and never stop growing in our pursuit of excellence as servant-leaders.
