Rick Evans, USAF, Maj. Gen. (Ret.)

Rick Evans, Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.), is Executive Director for the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, the DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command.

Since taking the leadership reins of NSRI in January 2021 from Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Bob Hinson, NSRI's founding executive director, Evans has guided the institute’s team of researchers and strategists through the ups and downs of operating during uniquely dynamic times, responding to ongoing COVID-19 mitigation efforts, delivering critical national security research, retooling training, growing expertise and launching new partnerships and programs.

NSRI-related research activity resulted in a record-setting revenue of $23.9 million in fiscal year 2024 and a total of more than $150 million of executed research all-time. To fulfill our sponsors’ requirements, the institute has expanded facilities and programs in several areas of research, such as joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, advanced sequencing and chemical defense.

Additional highlights include, but are not limited t,o the launch of:

• Collaborative Biosecurity Laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Fifth research focus area — Food, Agriculture and Environment Security
• IDIQ with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration

Immediately prior to joining NSRI, Evans served in several senior positions at U.S. Strategic Command, including as Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Global Operations, Deputy Commander and Commander; Deputy Commander for Joint Functional Component for Global Strike; and Director of Reserve Forces. He served as the command's Acting Deputy Commander in 2016 and as the Program Manager for the command's $1.3 billion Command and Control Facility from 2017 to 2019.

In these capacities, Evans was a principal advisor to the Commander and staff on all aspects of the command's missions, including:

• Strategic deterrence and assurance
• Nuclear operations
• Nuclear command, control and communications
• Space and cyberspace operations
• Full-spectrum global strike
• Integrated missile defense
• Joint electromagnetic spectrum operations
• Joint warfare analysis

Listen to the December 2022 podcast episode with General Evans for career highlights and learn about the value of DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Centers.

• Wing-level operations, plans, tactics and personnel assignments
• Acting Director for Space and Information Superiority at the National Guard Bureau in 2005
• Special Assistant to the Director, Air National Guard for the Quadrennial Defense, Nuclear Posture and Space Posture Reviews in 2010
• National Reconnaissance Office Liaison Officer to U.S. Strategic Command

Evans also chaired two separate Air National Guard Weapon Systems Councils, the KC-135 Council and the Space, Intelligence and Cyber Council. He was a member of the Air Directorate Field Advisory Council from 2004 to 2012.

Evans has commanded expeditionary forces and flown combat missions in the KC-135 supporting operations Uphold Democracy, Decisive Endeavor, Deliberate Guard, Deliberate Forge, Allied Force, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He also served as Director of Mobility Forces for NATO Operation Unified Protector. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School and is rated as a master navigator with over 4,000 flying hours, including 153 combat hours. He has also completed over 100 operational missions as an Airborne Emergency Actions Officer, leading the Battle Staff onboard the U.S. Strategic Command E-6B Airborne Command Post.

Evans is an Omaha native, graduating from Omaha Northwest High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.