MAJOR JAY C. BLOCK

 

Major Jay Block was born November 9, 1970, in Manchester, NH. He attended school in Manchester and graduated from John Stark Regional High School in Weare, NH in 1989. After graduation, Major Block enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and attended basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX, and technical training at Keesler AFB, MS. In November 1989, Major Block was assigned to the 439^th Military Airlift Wing, Westover AFB, MA. In 1990, Major Block transferred into the 119^th Fighter Interceptor Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard, Fargo, ND.

 

Major Block graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1995 and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.  In June 1995, he was first assigned to the 91^st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, ND, where he served in the 91st Maintenance Squadron as Assistant Flight Commander, Accessories Flight. 

 

In October 1996, he was reassigned to the 5^th Space Launch Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Station, FL, as Facilities Maintenance Officer for Titan Integrated Launch Facilities and Titan Space Launch Complex-40.    

 

In April 1998, Major Block was selected to career broaden into space and missile operations and reported to the 392^nd Training Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, CA, for Undergraduate Space and Missile Training and Missile Initial Qualification Training (IQT).

 

After graduating from IQT in October 1996, the Major was assigned to the 12^th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT, as Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander and Missile Combat Crew Commander. In January 2001, he was selected to test launch the Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Vandenberg AFB, CA 

 

In July 2001 Major Block broadened his ICBM background once again with an assignment to the ICBM System Program Office (SPO) at Hill AFB, UT. He was assigned to the Deployment and Integration Division coordinating and planning ICBM modification programs to the Minuteman III weapon system. A year later he was selected by the SPO Director as Executive Officer where he also became the fill-in Executive Officer for the Ogden Air Logistics Center Commander. In July 2003, Major Block was again selected to broaden his ICBM background and was selected to fill an acquisition position as the Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting Service Life Extension Program Manager (REACT SLEP) where under his leadership his team won the prestigious Brent Scowcroft Award. 

 

After three years assigned to the ICBM SPO, Major Block was then reassigned to Headquarters Air Force Space Command Directorate of Requirements as Co-Command lead Land-Based Strategic Deterrent, the follow-on to the MMIII ICBM. While there, he authored the Initial Capabilities Document gaining AFROCC & JROC approval through the JCIDS process.

 

During this time he also deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, from October 2005 to March 2006 as the Operations Officer, Strategic Reform Division; where his office supported the Afghan Minister of Defense and the Afghan Chief of the General Staff. He also commanded 10 strategic convoys in Afghanistan supporting the Afghan National Army and various humanitarian missions. After his return, Major Block was assigned to the 91^st Maintenance Operations Squadron at Minot AFB, ND, as the Maintenance Operations Officer in Jul 2006. In April 2007, he was assigned to his current position as Chief, Quality Assurance for the 91^st Maintenance Group.

 

Major Block is married to the former Kelli Wilmot of Monticello, Minnesota.  They have three children, Madison, Tyler and Kennedy.

 

EDUCATION

MS, International Relations    Troy State University (2001)

BS, Political Science               North Dakota State University (1995)

 

PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION

Squadron Officer School                    2001 In-residence and Correspondence

Air Command and Staff College        2005 Correspondence

 

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal (1)

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal (2)

Joint Meritorious Unit Award           

AF Outstanding Unit Award (2)

AF Organizational Excellence Award

Combat Readiness Medal

Air Forces Reserve Meritorious Medal

National Defense Service Medal (1)

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

AF Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

AF Longevity Service (2)

AF training Ribbon (1)

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant      13 May 1995              

First Lieutenant           31 May 1997              

Captain                        31 May 1999                          

Major                           01 Oct 2005