Join us in the Museum’s theater for a lecture by Bellefonte born local resident, Commander Frank Mellott USN Ret., about his experience planning, leading, and flying combat missions in carrier-based jet aircraft from USS Ranger during Operation DESERT STORM. The lecture is free and open to the public, no tickets or reservation required. Seating is first come first served. Donations appreciated. The event will take place in the theater of the Museum.
A former Adjunct Professor for the US Naval War College, Frank will offer insight into the historical origins of the conflict; the road to war; his personal experiences planning, leading, and flying from the opening airstrike to the last one; as well as his thoughts on events of the post-war years.
Commander Mellott, who retired here to State College after a 23 year active duty career, was born in Bellefonte and has deep ties to Centre County. His Great-Great-Great Grandfather, who hailed from Pine Glen, fought at Petersburg with the Pennsylvania 45th. Other Pine Glen relatives fought in France in WW1. And he continued that tradition with his own service.
In addition to his combat assignments, his military experience includes US Naval Test Pilot School, management of high-risk test programs, high-risk high-tempo operations, and global telecommunications and satellite payload operations. His final active-duty assignment was as deputy commander of one of just two Navy Master Jet Bases in the US, a $3.2 billion facility supporting one-half of the Navy’s tactical combat aircraft, 16 operational squadrons, and over 250,000 flights annually – in addition to providing emergency management, law enforcement, housing, welfare, retail, and recreation services to a community of 25,000 active duty, government civilians, retirees, and their families.
Since retiring, he’s worked as leadership and business consultant to Fortune 100 clients around the world, bringing leadership, management, and operations best practices he learned in the high-reliability yet unforgiving environment of carrier based tactical jet operations and while leading a large complex organizations simultaneously performing widely varied functions in demanding environments.