Robert Novotny completed a 28-year career in the U.S. Air Force as a brigadier general and command pilot. He amassed over 3,000 flight hours and 500 combat hours as an F-15C/E instructor fighter pilot. Additionally, he served as a career operational test pilot. Novotny held several notable positions, including commanding the 48th Fighter Wing and serving as the chief of staff to the Air Component Coordination Element and deputy chief of staff for Air Operations in Afghanistan. He also served as the deputy director of Planning, Programming, Requirements and Analysis for Air Combat Command. He played a key role in developing the Advanced Battle Management System and the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems requirements. In his final assignment, Novotny led the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.