Detachment Commander Bio

Lt Col Stephan DeHaas is the Commander of AFROTC Detachment 845 and Professor of Aerospace Studies at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas.  Based at TCU, he directs the AFROTC commissioning programs for seven participating colleges and universities in and around Fort Worth.  

Lt Col DeHaas entered the U.S. Air Force in December 2000 as a graduate of the University of Idaho, Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He began his career as a C-130 pilot at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Following that, he was a C-130 evaluator pilot, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas and a Combat Aviation Advisor to the Iraqi Air Force, Baghdad, Iraq. For his most recent flying assignment, he transitioned to special operations in Air Force Special Operations Command.

Lt Col DeHaas is a Command Pilot with over 3,500 hours and nearly 750 combat hours. His operational deployments consist of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other classified operations, including multiple combat airdrop missions. Prior to his current position, Lt Col DeHaas was the Deputy Chief, Operational & Adaptive Plans Division – Europe, Headquarters USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

EDUCATION

2000       Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics, University of Idaho, Moscow
2006       Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010       Master of Science, International Relations, Troy University, Troy, Ala.
2011       Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015       Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016       Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence

PROFESSIONAL COURSES

C-130 Aircraft Commander Course (Distinguished Graduate)
Air Advisor Combat Skills Course
US Air Force Flight Safety Officer Course
US Air Force Safety & Accident Investigation Board President Course
National Transportation Safety Board Aircraft Accident Investigation Course
National Transportation Safety Board Cognitive Interviewing Course
National Transportation Safety Board Investigating Human Fatigue Factors Course
Contingency Wartime Planner’s Course
Combat Aircrew Tactics School
Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. February 2001–July 2001, Administrative Officer, AFROTC Det 905, University of Idaho, Moscow
2. July 2001–April 2002, Joint Primary Flight Training Student, Whiting Field Naval Air Station, Fla.
3. April 2002–October 2002, Advanced Flight Training Student, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
4. June 2003–May 2005, Executive Officer, C-130 Pilot, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan
5. May 2005–August 2006, Central Scheduler, Aircraft Commander, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
6. August 2006–March 2007, Special Projects Officer, Instructor Pilot, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
7. August 2007–August 2008, Combat Aviation Advisor, Evaluator Pilot, New Al Muthana AB, Iraq
8. August 2008–June 2009, Flight Commander, Evaluator Pilot, 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
9. June 2009–May 2011, Chief of Safety, DATA MASKED
10. May 2011–January 2014, Chief, Standards & Evaluations, DATA MASKED
11. January 2014–July 2014, Assistant Operations Officer, DATA MASKED
12. Jul 2014–June 2015, Student & Flight Commander, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. June 2015–July 2016, Dep. Chief, European Operational Plans Branch, HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, Germany
14. July 2016–July 2017, Chief, European Operational Plans Branch, HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, Germany
15. July 2017–June 2018, Dep. Chief, Operational & Adaptive Plans Division - Europe, HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, Germany
16. July 2018-Present, Commander, AFRTOC Detachment 845, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

 FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating:  command pilot
Flight hours:  more than 3,500 hours 
Aircraft flown:  T-34, T-1, and C-130E/H3/H

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Iraqi Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
Gallant Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters & “V” device

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS

Second Lieutenant Jan 21, 2001
First Lieutenant Jan 21, 2003
Captain Jan 21, 2005
Major Nov 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel March 1, 2016