Maj Joseph “Paveway” Bledsoe III is an Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) Fellow at the Institute for Future Conflict at the United States Air Force Academy. He is focused on the application of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) as well as the future of airpower and the use of drones. He is a current and qualified evaluator pilot in the F-15E and F-15SG with over 1,500 hours including 344 combat hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.  

Previously, Major Bledsoe was assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing as the Deputy Chief of Staff. Here, he oversaw the Fighter Wing’s AFFORGEN training plan and implemented the Joint Planning Process throughout the Wing. His concepts blueprinted operations for five separate ACE exercises as well as the Fighter Wing’s first deployment to the Indo-Pacific.  

Maj Bledsoe commissioned from the United States Air Force Academy in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He then earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas.  He is an active member of the Air Force Academy’s Association of Graduates (AOG) and is an appointed Board Member. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Alicia, and they have two energetic boys and a beautiful baby girl.