Bio
Lt Col Bertram is a helicopter pilot and air advisor with over 2000 hours in the UH-1N “Huey,” Mi-17 “Hip,” and MH-139A “Grey Wolf.” He flew combat in Afghanistan and has served as an instructor/evaluator pilot, test director, and commander of PACAF Air Advising operations where he worked with partners in over 15 countries. He is married with two children and enjoys hiking, hunting, reading, and studying history.
Education
M.A., International Security, Josef Korbel School at University of Denver, Colorado (2024)
M.A., Military History, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont (2013)
B.S., History, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2005)
Professional Experience
Instructor, Department of Military and Strategic Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (April 2024 − Present)
Graduate Student, University of Denver, Dener, Colorado (August 2022 – March 2024)
MH-139A Test Director, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Hurlburt Field, Florida (December 2019 – July 2022)
Air Advisor Commander, 36 Contingency Response Group, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (January 2017 – November 2019)
UH-1N Formal Training Unit Evaluator Pilot, 58 Special Operations Group, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico (2014 – 2016)
Mi-17 Air Advisor Evaluator Pilot, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan (February 2012 – February 2013)
UH-1N Instructor Pilot, 54 Helicopter Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota (2008 – 2013)
U.S. Air Force Pilot Training, Whiting Field, Florida and Fort Rucker, Alabama (2006 – 2008)
U.S. Air Force Space Countermeasures Hands-On Program, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico (2005 – 2006)
Honors & Awards
George Casey Leadership Fellowship, Joseph Korbel School of International Studies (2023)
International Test and Evaluation Award (2021)
Field Grade Officer of the Year (Air Force Operational and Test Evaluation Center) (2020)
Air Advisor Team of the Year (U.S. Air Force) (2017 & 2018)
Officer Air Advisor of the Year (Pacific Air Force) (2017)
Officer Instructor of the Year (58 Special Operations Group) (2014)
Research and Scholarly Interests
INDO-PACOM Strategy, International Affairs, Small Wars, Polar History and Security, World War II History.
Publications
“The Place to Stop Chinese Aggression Is on the Indian Border.” The National Interest. 5 March 2023.
“The Wrong Conclusions: Repeating the Errors of Naval Interwar Strategic Thinking.” US Naval Institute Blog, 25 January 2021.
“Russian Military to Occupy Baltics to Prevent COVID-19 Infections.” Angry Staff Officer, 7 May 2020.
“Air Corps Infantry: The Original Cross-Functional Airmen.” Air University: The Wild Blue Yonder, 17 February 2020.
“The Death of American Conventional Warfare: It’s the Political Willpower, Stupid.” The Strategy Bridge, 5 November 2017 (coauthored with Jahara Matisek).
“The Return of Limited War.” The Strategy Bridge, 13 September 2016.
“We Need Effective Operations in the Realm of Social Media.” Foreign Policy “Best Defense”, 21 April 2016.
“We Need to Stop Putting PTSD on a Pedestal.” Task and Purpose, 29 December 2015.
“Finding the ISIS Center of Gravity: Why Does It Have to Be So Complicated?” Small Wars Journal, 9 December 2015.
“Ancient Backbone: Using Ancient Texts to Train Modern Allies.” Small Wars Journal, 15 July 2015.