MACH 2 PLUS MISSION OBJECTIVES
Mach 2 Plus (M2P), LLC began operations early in 2020, focused on two major lines of effort …
Provide top-tier subject matter expert consulting services to US Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.
Provide premier Professional Pilot, FAA Certified Flight and Ground Instruction and Aviation Consulting Services.
To meet increasing need for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and Rotax Aircraft Engine inspection, service and maintenance in Colorado, M2P added a third line of effort in the latter half of 2021 focused on Special-LSA (S-LSA) and Experimental-LSA (E-LSA) primarily powered by Rotax Series 9 Aircraft Engine inspection, service and maintenance.
WHY MACH 2 PLUS?
Exceeding Mach 1, or the speed of sound, frequently occurs in supersonic fighter and bomber aircraft during training, or actual combat operations. However, exceeding Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound as Pat has done many times while performing Functional Check Flight (FCF) pilot duties, is absolutely not routine. Flight at or above Mach 2 demonstrates peak human and machine performance. This is only achievable when the human possesses necessary education, training and experience to operate a supersonic aircraft at the edge of altitude and speed performance envelopes; and, the machine is finely tuned in the strictest accordance with all applicable maintenance directives by incredibly dedicated competent maintenance personnel. During the years Pat performed FCFs in F-15C aircraft, the speed required to pass the FCF was at least Mach 2. Because flight at or above Mach 2 is outside ejection envelopes where successful escape is not an option until speed and altitude are significantly reduced, there is a very special trust between a FCF pilot and the aircraft maintenance professionals. The FCF pilot is placing their personal safety in the hands of maintenance professionals, and maintenance professionals know the consequences of catastrophe, so failure of their aircraft is not an option. “Mach 2 Plus” is a tribute to that very special bond of trust, and epitomizes the kind of trust M2P strives to earn and keep with all their customers!
ABOUT PATRICK ELLIS
Overview
Patrick Ellis has served America in several National Security areas for over four decades. After graduating high school, he enlisted into the US Air Force where he served on continuous active duty for over 26 years in both enlisted and commissioned officer ranks. Following his retirement from the Air Force, he was briefly employed as a Scientific Engineering and Technical Assistant support contractor for 1 year before entering US Government civil service. Pat then served as a senior civilian employee for over 10 years. After retiring from civil service, he joined an employee owned company providing advanced technologies to the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) for almost 4 years before retiring at onset of COVID19 in early 2020.
Former US Government and defense contractor colleagues strongly urged Pat to form his own company in order to provide consulting service support to DoD, IC and defense contractor customers. Pat and Brenda (his wife and best friend of over 43 years) thoroughly researched and pondered pros and cons of starting their own company. After deciding to proceed, the first challenge was selecting a name for the company that uniquely embodied Pat’s breadth and depth of experiences a firefighter, fighter pilot, innovator, integrator and leader. They settled on “Mach 2 Plus (M2P).”
On 9 April, 2020, Pat and Brenda began the process of registering Mach 2 Plus (M2P) as limited liability company in their home state of Colorado. M2P initially focused on two major lines of effort: 1) Provide DoD, IC and defense contractor customers with expert consulting services; and, 2) Provide premier professional pilot, FAA certified flight and ground instruction, and aviation consulting services. Recognizing the ever increasing need for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and Rotax Aircraft Engine inspection, service and maintenance in Colorado, M2P added a third line of effort in the latter half of 2021 focused on Special-LSA (S-LSA) and Experimental-LSA (E-LSA) primarily powered by Rotax Series 9 Aircraft Engine inspection, service and maintenance.
Senior Technical Advisor - Government Civilian GS15
United States Strategic Command J8 Director for Capability and Resource Integration
Senior Technical Advisor, 12/2001 - 11/2017
Select Member of a Joint, Department of Defense and
Intelligence Community Collaboration Team, 3/2008 - 11/2017
Personal efforts were critical in response to Office of the Secretary of Defense Innovation Initiative memorandum, championing four Combatant Commander’s sponsorship of a demonstration based approach to solve military capability gaps. The foundational concepts personally organized under the Global Operations Innovation Initiatives resulted in nearly $750 Million over the Future Years Defense Program in support of multi-domain operations.
Directly influenced $300 Million annually in National Intelligence Program and Military Intelligence Program dollars, significantly impacting collection strategies and emphasizing warfighter integration.
Personal interactions with multiple National Laboratories provided visibility into state-of-the-art technologies to enhance United States Strategic Command mission areas.
Executive Director AF TENCAP - Government Civilian GS15
United States Air Force (AF) Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP)
Deputy Director, Director and Executive Director, 5/2007-12/2011
Select Member of a Joint, Department of Defense and
Intelligence Community Collaboration Team, 3/2008 - 11/2017
Developed and successfully implemented a long-term Joint Non-Traditional Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (NTISR) focused strategy, initial project concepts to and Concept of Operations (CONEMP) to guide future AF TENCAP projects on collecting, processing, exploitation and dissemination of robust NTISR data and making available to Intelligence Community (IC) analysts, and combining IC National ISR data with Tactical NTISR data. He routinely briefed senior US Congressional staff members on AF TENCAP program and return on taxpayer investment.
Improved AF TENCAP program management, financial management and contract management processes for 45 highly classified projects worth approximately $89M, $30M in AF TENCAP funds and $59M in funds from others earning praise from the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Manager for exceptional leadership and management of an Air Force level program. He co-authored and presented an issue paper to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff which was a crucial factor in the Joint Requirements Oversight Counsel's decision to partner with the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by reprogramming $590M DoD funds, which was matched by the DNI's $450M reprograming decision through the FYDP.
Led AF TENCAP to receive the Air Force Association's Citation of Honor Award, presented by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Commander of Air Force Space Command, for the outstanding contribution of an individual or organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind.
F-15C Aircraft Commander - 390th Fighter Squadron “Wild Boars”
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Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
July 2004 - March 2006
Combat ready F-15C Aircraft Commander - 390 Fighter Squadron (FS) “Wild Boars”
Served as 366th Fighter Wing Chief of Safety: Solely responsible for leading all flight, ground and weapons safety policy, planning, and execution of America's premier integrated fighter wing comprised of 71 fighter aircraft, 4 groups, 21 squadrons, and 6 tenant units operating the F-15C, F-15E, and F-16CJ aircraft valued at over $3.8 billion, with an annual operations and maintenance budget of $194 million, and over 5,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.
Led wing safety staff agency, directly responsible to the wing commander and Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Safety Agencies for all Headquarters U.S. Air Force ground, weapons, and flight safety programs.
Responsible for personally insuring safety oversight for 10,000 plus flying sorties and over 13,000 flight hours annually in the U.S. Air Force advanced fighter type aircraft operating at locations throughout the Continental U.S., Alaska, and at classified overseas locations in support of joint U.S. and Coalition partner missions.
Directed comprehensive safety investigations and trend analysis programs, and subsequently advised commanders on any trends, problem areas, and provided recommended solutions in accordance with Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and State of Idaho flying safety and accident prevention programs. Coordinated safety education and training programs with all federal, state and local agencies.
Chief of Wing Safety position is a key 366 Fighter Wing leadership position responsible for ensuring the wing maintained a combat ready force for worldwide deployment and employment in support of Joint Chiefs of Staff tasking involving the world's most dangerous and expensive aviation and combat ordinance equipment.
Flew Operation NOBEL EAGLE missions for protection of The President of the United States, intercepted aircraft violating US Homeland Defense Temporary Flight Restrictions areas.
Chief, Special Technical Operations (STO) - Headquarters USFK, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Headquarters US Forces Korea (USFK)
Yangsan Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea
July 2003 - Jul 2004
Chief, Special Technical Operations (STO) - Headquarters USFK, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Served as Chief U.S. military planner for integrating and synchronizing TOP SECRET-Special Access Program (SAP), and Intelligence Community (IC) TOP SECRET-Compartmented Access Program (CAP) capabilities, and Information Operations (IO) effects among all Theater component commands. Led USFK, Joint Staff, U.S. military services, and U.S. Government IC and interagency personnel in creating, developing and executing USFK’s whole-of-government US-ONLY STO strategy.
USFK Commander's sole focal point for developing and implementing highly classified compartmented initiatives to support Commander US Pacific Command, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) strategic, operational and tactical Theater objectives.
Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Student
US Air Force Air University
Air Command and Staff College
July 2002 - Jul 2003
Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Student
F-117A Aircraft Commander - 8th Fighter Squadron (FS) “The Black Sheep”
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Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
July 1999 - Jul 2002
Combat ready F-117A Aircraft Commander - 8th Fighter Squadron (FS) “The Black Sheep”
8th FS Weapons and Tactics Officer: Developed weapons and tactics programs to maintain maximum mission capability in the US Air Force’s only operational Stealth Fighter Wing supporting worldwide commitments assigned by the President of the U.S. and National Command Authority (NCA) Staff.
Assistant Deputy Operations Group Commander for Special Programs: Temporarily assigned to Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations “Checkmate” Division as the F-117A subject matter expert and 49th Fighter Wing liaison officer. Managed 49th Fighter Wing’s special programs and combat operations mission rehearsals at undisclosed locations to ensure effective and expeditious integration of state-of-the-art classified capabilities into F-117A employment Concept of Operations.
Recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation (data masked).
F-15C Aircraft Commander - 1st Fighter Squadron “Fighting Fury’s”
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Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
December 1996 - July 1999
F-15C Aircraft Commander, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Formal Training Unit (FTU) Instructor Pilot (IP).
Flight Examiner Pilot, 325th Operations Group Supervisor of Flying, and 325 Fighter Wing Functional Check Flight (FCF) pilot.
1st Fighter Squadron (FS) Flight Commander, supervised 7 F-15C IPs, oversaw all aspects of training for 20 upgrading F-15C pilots annually under 9 formal syllabi preparing them for worldwide assignment in the F-15C air superiority mission. Squadron supervisor: Ensured smooth, safe and effective operations of up to 40 F-15C sorties per day. Seasoned FCF pilot performing post maintenance test acceptance sorties.
F-15C IP: Provided ground, simulator, and flight instruction in all facets of the F-15C mission ensuring pilots were mission ready to execute Commander-in-Chief North American Defense Operational Plans. Responsible for maintenance, review, revision and publication of all operations group plans. Wing hurricane evacuation control officer responsible for coordination with group and wing commanders to ensure safe, timely, and orderly evacuation of 77 F-15 aircraft worth $3.5 billion.
Detachment commander and Chief Flight Examiner Pilot for a 2-month deployment from Tyndall AFB, FL to Kingsley Field, OR to support Oregon Air National Guard Transition from F-16 to initial F-15 aircraft qualification.
Lauded "Best Flight Commander" in the 325th Fighter Wing during Headquarters AETC Inspector General Operational Readiness Inspection.
F-4E Aircraft Commander - 20th Fighter Squadron “Silver Lobos”
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Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
July 1994 - November 1996
F-4E Aircraft Commander and Formal Training Course (FTU) Instructor Pilot (IP) in a combined USAF and German Air Force (GAF) unit in the 49th Fighter Wing, 20th Fighter Squadron (FS). Awarded "Top Graduate” for F-4E Transition/Instructor Course.
Fully qualified F-4E IP in the only USAF flying squadron to conduct GAF operational training. Led, directed and evaluated all aspects of 9 highly demanding air-to-air phases for GAF basic students and USAF pilots transitioning to the F-4E.
20 FS Chief of Training: Monitored all ground and flight training programs for 33 permanent instructor pilots and instructor weapon system operators while guaranteeing compliance with Headquarters USAF, and Federal Aviation Administration directives and regulations.
Graduate F-4E Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC). Provided operational procedures and mission employment tactics to GAF weapons instructor course students in support of United States Foreign Military Sales contracts with the German government. Consistently ranked the Number 1 air-to-air IP in 20th Fighter Squadron, voted to 'Top Instructor Award' from FWIC Class 96-ADA, the best of 11 IPs.
Recipient of Headquarters ACC Flight Safety Award for exemplary airmanship for safely recovering a severely crippled F-4E aircraft with total primary hydraulic failure and no nose gear, a multiple systems failure for which no emergency procedures existed.
F-15C Aircraft Commander - 67th Fighter Squadron “Fighting Cocks”
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Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
November 1990 - July 1994
Combat ready F-15C Aircraft Commander conducting training and air superiority flight operations throughout the Pacific Region, Alaska, and Continental U.S. Early upgrade to 2-ship and 4-Ship Flight Lead, Instructor Pilot (IP), and Mission Commander.
Chief, Stan/Eval: The 67th Fighter Squadron’s (FS) Standardization and Evaluation Flight Examiner (SEFE), the youngest SEFE in the 18th Operations Group, administered tactical and instrument flight checks; and, tactical, instrument and emergency procedures simulator checks to18th Wing F-15C pilots. Responsible for managing the Stan/Eval program, including tracking simulator and flight evaluations for 35 pilots.
F-15C IP: Instructed 12 to 16 air combat training sorties per month involving 2 to 36 fighters in offensive and defensive counterair missions throughout the Pacific Theater. Instructed pilots on F-15C weapons system, air combat tactics, adversary capabilities and tactics, Pacific Air Forces operational and contingency plans, and peacetime and combat rules of engagement.
Hand-picked by the 67th FS Commander as F-15C Mission Commander for Presidentially directed show-of-force missions to the Korean Peninsula involving fully-armed F-15C and F-16 combat aircraft, supported by E-3A and KC-135 high value aircraft in order to coerce North Korea to return to nuclear non-proliferation negotiations.
18th Wing Functional Check Flight (FCF) Pilot performing post major maintenance test flights, became wIng’s most experienced FCF pilot and instructor for other wing pilots upgrading to FCF pilot.
Military Service
Prior enlisted US Air Force Technical Sergeant (E-6) before earning a commission through the US Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) in 1988.
Firefighter/Rescuman - Collaborated with federal, state and local emergency service officials to plan, coordinate and execute mutual aid agreements. Routinely led interagency emergency responses to combat wild land fires, automobile and aircraft accidents. Served as a primary member on the Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) Fire Department Space Shuttle rescue crew supporting the first three Space Shuttle Landings at Edwards AFB.
Following Edwards assignment, served as a Technical Training Instructor at Chanute AFB, IL conducting classroom and practical instruction in fire protection fundamentals and certified students in medical emergency first aid & cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Returned to Edwards AFB as a Fire Protection Inspector conducting fire prevention inspections to identify fire hazards for corrective actions, then assigned as Fire Department Assistant Chief of Training Non-Commissioned Officer.
Educational Highlights
- 1987 Bachelor of Arts degree in general and liberal studies, Eastern Illinois University.
- 1995 USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, F-4E, Holloman AFB, N.M. & Nellis AFB, Nev.
- 1997 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 1997 Master of Aeronautical Science degree in aeronautical science, with distinction 4.0 GPA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
- 2003 Master of Arts degree in military operational art and science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2007 Space Operations Executive Level Course, HQ National Security Space Institute, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Career Chronology
- 1980 – 1988, U.S. Air Force prior-enlisted fire-fighter and rescue crew professional, Edwards AFB, Calif.; and, fire protection technical training instructor, Chanute AFB, Ill.
- 1988 – 1989, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams AFB, Ariz.
- 1990, student, Lead-in Fighter Training, 435th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
- 1990, student, F-15A Basic Course, 2d Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- 1990 – 1994, F-15C chief standardization and evaluation, examiner pilot, instructor pilot, mission- commander and electronic combat pilot, 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. 1994 – 1996, F-4E Fighter Weapons Instructor Course instructor pilot, formal training unit instructor
pilot, 20th Fighter Squadron; chief of air-to-air weapons and tactics, 49th Operations Group, Holloman AFB, N.M. - 1997 – 1999, F-15C Air Education and Training Command flight commander, formal training unit instructor pilot, 1st Fighter Squadron; chief of plans, 325th Operations Group, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- 1999 – 2002, assistant deputy operations group commander–advanced programs, 49th Operations Group; F-117A Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 8th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
- 2002 – 2003, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2003 – 2004, Chief of Special Technical Operations, U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Garrison, Republic of Korea.
- 2004 – 2006, Chief of Safety, 366th Fighter Wing and F-15C Aircraft Commander, Mountain Home AFB, Ida.
- 2006 – 2007, Systems Engineering and Technical Assistant support contractor, Special Applications Division, AF TENCAP, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- 2007 – 2007, Deputy Director, AF TENCAP, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- 2007 – 2009, Director, AF TENCAP, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- 2009 – 2011, Executive Director, AF TENCAP, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- 2011 – 2017, Senior Technical Advisor, USSTRATCOM/J8, Schriever AFB, Colo.
- 2017 – 2020, Vice President Operational Solutions Business Unit, Director Colorado & Virginia
- Operations: and Member Board of Directors, Rincon Research Corporation, Centennial, Colo.
Awards and Decorations
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Presidential Unit Citation (data masked)
- Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Korea Defense Service Medal
- Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Summary of Joint Assignments
July 2003 – June 2004, Chief, Special Technical Operations, U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Garrison, Republic of Korea.
Flight Experience
Rating: Military - Command Pilot
Civilian – Airline Transport Pilot, Airplane Single and Multi-Engine Land (ASMEL)
Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument ASMEL; Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI)
Flight hours: More than 2,400 military, civilian and military time totaling more than 5,000 hours
Aircraft Flown: Military – F-15A-D, F-117A, F-4E, AT-38, T-38, T-37; Civilian – Multiple models
