ABOUT US

The foundations for what would become ARCWERX were laid in 2018 when Gen Goldfein launched the first Squadron Innovation Funds program designed to unleash the creativity of airmen across the Air Force. A small team was assembled at the Air National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Andrews to design the initial concept and begin planning for expansion beyond the headquarters. In 2019 ARCWERX was launched in Tucson, AZ to build on the foundation laid down by the original team and leverage the enormous strengths of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center.

Lieutenant Colonel Hans “Solo” Jagow, Director

Lieutenant Colonel Hans Jagow is the co-founder of ARCWERX and currently serves as the organization’s Director. Before ARCWERX, Hans was the Director or HC/MC/EC-130 Test at AATC. He brings a career worth of passion for modernizing and optimizing the “tools of the trade” used by the operational warfighters we support. Additionally, Hans’ focus has always been one of fostering non-traditional partnerships to expedite delivery of warfighter’s critical needs; a skill that optimizes the broadened focus he has undertaken with ARCWERX as opposed to specific MDS modernization.

Lieutenant Colonel Jagow is a Combat Systems Officer (CSO) on HC-130J aircraft who hails from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing. Prior to commissioning in 2006 at the 129th RQW, CA ANG, he spent 10 years as a soldier in the Ohio Army National Guard and as an Airman in the 445th AW (AFRC), WPAFB, OH. His career includes multiple combat tours in multiple airframes logging over 2500 flight hours and 181 combat sorties.

He graduated from Wright State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. Hans lives on DMAFB with his wife Tamera, daughters Saylor & Liberty and sons Atlas & Ace.

Major Roberto “Bobby” Carbonell, Operations Officer

Major Bobby Carbonell is the co-founder of ARCWERX and currently serves as the organization’s Operations Officer. Before returning to Active Duty for his position at ARCWERX, he served as the Executive Director of Veterans Florida, a state-created nonprofit organization that helps veterans find meaningful employment and start their own businesses in the State of Florida. Prior to his position with Veterans Florida, Bobby served as the Legislative and Cabinet Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Deputy Legislative Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Military Affairs.

Major Carbonell is an Aircraft Maintenance Officer who served in the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing. Prior to commissioning in 2010 he spent 10 years as a soldier in the Florida Army National Guard. His Army career included a combat tour in Iraq in 2003-2004 as an infantryman.

He graduated from Florida State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. Bobby also co-owns Growler Country, a small business in Tallahassee with his brother Michael Carbonell. Bobby lives in Tucson with his wife Jaime and his daughter, Sophie.

Master Sergeant Steven McKnew, Innovation Consultant

Master Sergeant Steven McKnew is one of the ARCWERX Innovation Consultant for the Air National Guard. His previous assignment was as the Security Forces Superintendent at 178th Wing, Springfield, Ohio. Prior to that he was the Superintendent of Force Protection Inspections, NORAD-USNORTHCOM Inspector General, Peterson AFB, CO.

Sergeant McKnew validated operational capabilities of US/Canadian air defense alert units and detachments for Commander NORAD. He led C2 and fighter security inspection providing oversight to 28 Aerospace Control Alert Force units and joint/bi-national operations. He also coordinated with MAJCOM and Air Staffs to develop and enforce USAF and Canadian Security policies and procedures. He recently completed his Master’s degree in Business Management from American Military University.

Master Sergeant Dana Hamlin, Innovation Consultant

Master Sergeant Dana Hamlin is one of the ARCWERX Innovation Consultants for the Air National Guard. She grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon where she began her military career at the 173d Fighter Wing. Shortly after joining she transferred to the 162d in Tucson, Arizona. During her time at the 162d Wing she worked as Admin in the Maintenance and Operations Group and was a long-time admin in the Wing Commanders office. She served several years as the Wing Protocol NCOIC.

She worked with over 13 countries to include General Officers and high-ranking Government Officials. She then moved onto the Communications Flight where she served for about five years before joining ARCWERX.

Ms. Kim Casey, Commercial Sector Outreach

Kim Casey manages commercial sector outreach for ARCWERX where she discovers, catalogues and matches commercial technology with defense-related problem sets in support of ARCWERX initiatives. Kim is also the Coordinator for Air Reserve Component (ARC) Weapons and Tactics Council (WEPTAC) for AATC where she manages all of the all of the components from planning to execution. She joined ARCWERX in December of 2019 and AATC in July of 2016.

Kim has a reputable and established career history of Business Development, Project Management and Strategic Marketing. She obtained her Bachelor of Business Organizational Degree and Master of Business Administration Degree from Western Michigan University.

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