Keynote Speaker

General Charles Lyon

General Lyon received his commission from The Citadel, Charleston, S.C., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and later a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.. A career fighter pilot and a distinguished graduate of the USAF F-16 Fighter Weapons School, General Lyon served as the initial commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan established during the peak of surge operations under Gen Petraeus’ leadership.  He served numerous tours in the Pentagon as chair, Air Force Group (Air Force Corporate Structure);  Air Force representative (Joint Capabilities Board); special assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (OCJCS); and chief, Studies, Analysis, and Gaming Division (J-8). He culminated his 32-year active-duty career as the Director of Operations, Air Combat Command before joining Northrop Grumman Corporation where he served as Vice President, Air Force Customer Relations. General Lyon currently serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at William & Mary and is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.