Major General Rob “Mumbles” Polumbo (ret) has been a senior consultant in Two Blue Aces since transitioning from the Air Force after 33-years of service in 2017. During that time, Rob has also been an executive associate for the South Florida Defense Alliance. Since 2022, he has been the project manager developing the Florida Advanced Training Range under a state grant from Gov DeSantis’ task force for military installation support.
His military career culminated as the special assistant to the commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, GA. General Polumbo assisted and advised the commander on the daily operations of the command, consisting of approximately 70,000 citizen airmen and more than 300 aircraft among three numbered air forces, providing air, space and cyber support to combatant commands world-wide.
Rob was a distinguished graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1984. During his 14 years of active duty, he served as an F-16 instructor pilot, flight examiner, weapons officer, operational test and evaluation pilot, operations officer and commander. He was a member of the 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron and flew as a project test pilot in numerous tactics development evaluations for the F-16. He also was the commander of 57 WG/Det 2 conducting foreign materiel exploitation. Additionally, he served as the aide-de-camp to the Air Force Chief of Staff. He transitioned to the Air Force Reserve Command in 1997 and joined the 482nd Fighter Wing at Homestead ARB. He flew F-16’s in the 93rd Fighter Squadron, served as commander of the unit and later as the 482nd Fighter Wing vice commander. His senior executive positions included mobilization assistant to numerous commands including the Air Force Warfare Center, Air Combat Command, 7th and 12th Air Force and Headquarters Air Force. During the 19-years of Air Force Reserve service, Rob also flew for American Airlines retiring in 2022. His areas of expertise include joint all-domain command and control operations, tactics development & evaluation, foreign materiel exploitation, commercial aviation and leadership & character development.
Rob is a command pilot with more than 4,300 hours of military aviation time in all blocks of the F-16 and YF-112D, including combat operations in Southwest Asia. He also graduated from the AF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course in 1991. During his 23-year American Airline’s career, he logged more than 9,800 flying hours in B727, B757, B767 and B777 aircraft. He earned a master’s degree in aviation science from Embry-Riddle University in 1994. In addition to his consulting work, he is a volunteer for the 22 Project, a non-profit organization providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Rob is co-author of Leadership from 30,000 Feet published in 2019 and most recently Leadership at 100 Feet. He is married to the former Claudia Barriga of Miami, FL and has two sons. Jake is an Air Force Academy graduate flying the F-16 and Zach is a graduate of the Naval Academy and a Marine Corps infantry officer.
rob's leadership seminars
current work
Leadership Positions:
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Project Manager for a state funded Florida Advanced Training Range
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Executive Associate, South Florida Defense Alliance
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Volunteer for the 22 Project, non-profit 501c3
Projects:
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Concept development phase for the Florida Advanced Training Range creating a blended live, virtual, constructive environment from Gulf to Atlantic for joint all-domain training
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Providing networking, fundraising and fellowship support for the 22 Project to help veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD through hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
education
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Master's Degree, Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1992-94)
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Bachelor of Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy (1980-84)
usaf leadership
ASSIGNMENTS
Retired as a Major General (2017)
Special Assistant to the Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington DC.; Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 12th Air Force, Air Combat Command, and Commander, Air Forces Southern, U.S. Southern Command, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 7th Air Force, Osan AB, South Korea; Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Air and Space Operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.; Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nev.; Vice Commander, 482nd Fighter Wing, Homestead ARB, Fla.; Assistant Operations Officer and Commander, 93rd Fighter Squadron, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.; Aide-De-Camp to the Chief Of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.; Operations Officer and Commander, 57th Wing, Detachment 2, Nellis AFB, Nev.; etc.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,300 hours
Aircraft flown: F-16A/C, YF-112D
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service with three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two "M" devices
Air Force Training Ribbon