1. Kevin D. Keister
912-344-8662
kevinkeister2016@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Transitioning Army Scout and Maintenance Test Pilot with over 3,300 incident and accident free flying hours in
challenging environments and conditions. Over 10 years of experience in different roles organizing, managing
and leading crews to maintain helicopters.
CORE STRENGTHS
Quality control operations Troubleshooting procedures Flight/mission planning
Maintenance management Database management Contract oversight
Aviation logistics Personnel administration Flight training / evaluation
CERTIFICATES AND RATINGS
Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft – Helicopter Instrument Pilot (#2684984, February 2002)
FLIGHT HOURS
Total Time: 3,400+ hours Night (unaided): 113 hours
Pilot in Command: 1,925+ hours NVG: 589 hours
Instrument: 109 hours (hood), 22 (weather)
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, General Science June 1998
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
WORK HISTORY
Shell Field ACLC OIC January 2015 - Present
Aviation Center Logistics Command (ACLC), Fort Rucker, AL
Supervises 12 Army and DOD civilian personnel who monitor the maintenance contract at Shell Army Airfield.
Reviews, inspects, and records data on all aspects of maintenance contractor operations at the airfield using a
team approach. Audits all data for accuracy and liaises with the contractor and the Army to resolve issues.
Currently working to smooth the transition to the LUH-72 (Lakota) as the Army’s new primary training aircraft
at the airfield.
Accomplishments:
 Qualified in the LUH-72 in JUN 15 and have maintained currency flying 100+ hours of training and
logistics missions around primary duties.
 Coordinated with contractor and headquarters personnel to ensure the field was prepared to maintain
and launch Lakota aircraft with only two months’ notice.
Senior OH-58D ME and QC OIC July 2012 - December 2015
46th Aviation Support Battalion (ASB), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
Served multiple roles as the senior OH-58D (scout helicopter) maintenance examiner (ME). Actively supervised
65 crew chiefs as they performed scheduled and unscheduled aircraft maintenance. Mentored, trained, and
regularly performed annual and no-notice flight evaluations for 6 junior maintenance pilots. Organized the
tech supply section as they processed and filled orders while maintaining over $15M of parts inventory.

2. Accomplishments:
 Led a maintenance support team of over 25 soldiers with varying specialties and equipment during the
1st realignment of forces unit rotation to Korea. Managed over $32M of aviation maintenance
equipment without losses. Supervised the quality control section of a reconnaissance unit with 30 OH-
58D scout helicopters; during this time the unit had no airframe- or materiel-related accidents.
 Initiated the 1st-ever turn in process for nearly $5M of obsolete or overstocked parts for the battalion.
Received an army commendation medal for saving the unit money and my initiative in this project.
Cairns Army Airfield ACLC OIC January 2011 – July 2012
Aviation Center Logistics Command (ACLC), Fort Rucker, AL
Supervised 7 DOD civilian personnel responsible for ensuring maintenance contractor provided safe and
quality aircraft for training operations at the busiest heliport in the world. Analyzed aircraft maintenance
tasks, audited aircraft records, and surveyed maintenance processes to ensure the contractor was meeting the
regulatory requirements of an FAA part 145 repair station. Addressed the contractor’s supervision team and
the Army regularly to facilitate resolution on any issues. Advised upper-level management on the quality of
maintenance operations and recommended changes to streamline maintenance and enhance safety.
Accomplishments:
 Relocated 12 OH-58D aircraft from Ft. Rucker to Texas for reset maintenance around primary duties.
 Diligence and teamwork while serving in this role resulted in 187 TH-67 aircraft flying over 135,000
hours without a major accident.
OH-58D Scout and Maintenance Test Pilot January 2000 – December 2010
3rd Squadron 17th Cavalry, Hunter Army Airfield, GA
3rd Squadron 17th Cavalry, Fort Drum, NY
1st Battalion 10th Aviation (Attack), Fort Drum, NY
Flew over 500 training and combat missions often acting as Pilot in Command and Air Mission Commander in
dynamic situations and challenging environments. Planned flights for multiple aircraft from start to finish to
include contingencies in case of recovery or emergency. Trained crews and teams to focus on projecting our
capabilities, determining customer (ground element) needs, and executing all missions to successful
completion. Regularly performed reconnaissance, close air support, and quick reaction force missions. Tested
aircraft in flight to verify repairs met/exceeded quality standards and identified aircraft deficiencies.
Prioritized work and coordinated 10 crew chiefs and next level maintenance support to maximize the
readiness and safety of 10 OH-58D helicopters.
Accomplishments:
 Flew over 1750 combat hours in this timeframe providing presence and protecting ground forces in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Awarded a Bronze Star medal for accomplishing missions despite being combat
wounded during the 2007 troop surge in Iraq.
 Maintained the Troop’s 10 OH-58D aircraft at an average 96% Operational Readiness (OR) rate through
multiple deployments, many thousands of aircraft hours, extreme environmental conditions, and
battle damage.