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Major General Rob “Mumbles” Polumbo (Ret) transitioned from the Air Force after 33 years of service in 2017. His career culminating as the special assistant to the commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base. 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.

General Polumbo 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. 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. Currently, he is a senior consultant for Two Blue Aces consulting group, executive associate for the South Florida Defense Alliance and volunteer for The 22 Project, a non-profit organization providing support for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Rob is co-author of Leadership from 30,000 feet published in 2019. He is married to the former Claudia Barriga of Miami, FL and has two sons. Jake is a F-16 fighter pilot in the AF and Zach is a senior at the Naval Academy and will be commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. 

Rob "Mumbles" Polumbo

Senior Consultant
Major General USAF (Retired)
Video
Full Bio

rob's leadership seminars

01

near rocks, far rocks

Maj. Gen. Rob Polumbo (Ret.) discusses prioritizing the numerous tasks an aviator has to accomplish to successfully get to and from the target successfully.

02

5 cs of leadership

Maj. Gen. Rob Polumbo (Ret.) discusses current events, leadership attributes, and the foundation of leadership to assist your company in reaching its goal of success.

03

what's in your sock?

Maj. Gen. Rob Polumbo (Ret.) discusses how to increase the content of your sock by the lessons learned from the experiences of your family, friends, and teachers.

04

never forget where you came from

Maj. Gen. Rob Polumbo (Ret.) explains why he believes character separates great leaders from the rest of the pack.

Leadership Seminars

current work

Current Leadership Positions:

  • Executive Associate for The 22 Project, non-profit 501c3

  • Part-Owner and Member of the Board of Directors, US Patriot Industries

  • Senior Consultant, South Florida Defense Alliance

Current Projects:

  • Supporting the South Florida Regional Planning Council conducting a Military Installation Resilience Review for South FL region.

  • Providing networking and fundraising support for The 22 Project to help veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD through hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Current Work

education

  • Master's Degree, Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1992-94)

  • Bachelor of Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy (1980-84)

Education

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

USAF Leadership
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