Major C. Phillip Ulmer, U.S. Air Force

Director, Public Affairs

Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command

Major Phillip Ulmer, U.S. Air Force is the Director, Public Affairs for the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He assumed this position in June 2011.

The JPAC conducts global research, investigation, excavation, and identification operations in order to achieve the fullest possible accounting of America’s unaccounted for Servicemembers as a result of past U.S. conflicts. JPAC also supports worldwide humanitarian operations for disaster relief and supports forensic assistance to local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Major Ulmer enlisted in the Air Force under the Delayed Enlistment Program in 1988 and he entered active duty in April 1989. He served in the enlisted corps for 10 years before enrolling in the “Boot Strap” program and completing his bachelor’s degree with Troy State University. He received his commission after graduating from Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Ala. in April of 2000.

After commissioning, Major Ulmer was assigned as the Deputy Chief, Plans Division, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas. His next assignment in 2002 was as the Deputy Chief, Public Affairs, 435th Air Base and 86th Airlift Wings at Ramstein AB, Germany. While there he also served as the Chief, Public Affairs for the newly formed 38th Combat Support Wing.

In December of 2005 Major Ulmer was reassigned as the Chief, Plans Division for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Office of Public Affairs at Ramstein AB, Germany. In May of 2007 Major Ulmer was selected for a special duty assignment serving as the Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Unit Admissions Officer for Air Force ROTC Detachment 520, Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Major Ulmer’s most recent deployment in May 2010 placed him as the Chief, Media Outreach and Chief, Future Operations for J9 Strategic Communications, Headquarters U.S. Forces-Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq for a year.

Major Ulmer is a veteran combat correspondent who has documented and supported several major military operations throughout his Public Affairs career to include Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Provide Promise, Provide Hope, Deny Flight, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Joint Endeavor, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, the Pan-Sahel Initiative, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Operation New Dawn.

Major Ulmer’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster) the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal (six oak leaf clusters) the Air Force Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), and the Army Achievement Medal.

Major Ulmer is married to Mrs. Sharon C. Ulmer and they have two daughters, Emily and Sarah, and one son, Andrew.