Mr. Michael R. Helms


Michael R. (Randy) Helms, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), currently serves as the Dean of Administration and Chief of Staff, Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University.  Mr. Helms was born in Paris, Texas and entered the Air Force in 1979 after receiving his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Mr. Helms served in multiple strategic airlift units, commanded at the squadron and group level, and served three pentagon tours.

As a staff officer, he was assigned to U.S. Transportation Command, OSD, Joint Staff, and Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He was an exchange officer to India and his last military assignment was at the National Defense University where he served as Deputy Director, CAPSTONE, Chief of Staff and Dean of Students, ICAF and finally as Chief of Staff, National Defense University.  He retired from the Air Force in the rank of Colonel in September of 2008, with over 29 years of active duty.  A former command pilot, he has flown more than 5,000 hours in the T-39, C-141, TG-7A, C-21, and C-5 aircraft.