Frank G. Helmick

Background

Frank G. Helmick was born in 1953 and entered the United States Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1976. His career developed during the late Cold War and continued through the post-September 11 wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, combining airborne and infantry command with senior joint and defense-policy assignments.

Education

Helmick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976. Founded in 1802, West Point is the United States Army's principal undergraduate officer-training institution and combines a liberal-arts education with military instruction.

He later received a Master of Science degree in management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. The school, established in 1909 and located in Monterey since 1951, provides advanced education for military officers and defense professionals. Helmick also graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in 1989 and the United States Army War College in 1998, institutions focused on joint-service leadership and senior military strategy.

Career

Helmick was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1976 and began his career with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, serving as a platoon leader and later as an executive officer and company commander in the 7th Cavalry. He subsequently held staff and command assignments with the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, including service as an aide-de-camp, operations officer, and executive officer.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Helmick served in airborne, personnel, and ranger organizations, including the 75th Ranger Regiment and United States Total Army Personnel Command. He commanded the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, served as G-3 operations officer of the 82nd Airborne Division, and commanded the Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning. The 75th Ranger Regiment is the Army's special-operations light-infantry regiment, while the Ranger Training Brigade conducts the Army Ranger Course at Fort Benning.

Helmick then held senior joint and division-level assignments. He was chief of the Operations and Intelligence Division of the Joint Staff, assistant division commander of the 24th Infantry Division, and assistant division commander for operations of the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, forces under the 101st Airborne Division took part in the operation that resulted in the deaths of Uday and Qusay Hussein in Mosul.

From 2004 to 2006, Helmick served as senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense in Washington. He commanded the United States Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne) in Vicenza, Italy, from 2006 to 2008, when the task force functioned as a rapid-response formation for United States European Command.

From July 2008 to October 2009, Helmick commanded the Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq and the NATO Training Mission–Iraq. The command was responsible for helping recruit, train, equip, and sustain Iraqi security forces. In November 2009 he became commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, a position he held until 2012. In 2011 he also served as deputy commanding general for operations of United States Forces–Iraq during the drawdown and redeployment of American forces.

After retiring from the Army in 2012, Helmick joined SOS International LLC, known as SOSi, as a senior vice president. He has led mission-sustainment and mission-solutions work involving logistics, engineering, procurement, construction, training, and operational support for government and allied missions.

Achievements

• Helmick commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg from 2009 to 2012, completing a 36-year United States Army career at the level of lieutenant general.

• As commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq and NATO Training Mission–Iraq, Helmick directed efforts to recruit, train, equip, and sustain Iraqi security forces.

• Helmick served three tours connected with Iraq, including the 2003 invasion, command of the Iraqi security-force transition mission from 2008 to 2009, and deputy command of operations during the 2011 American withdrawal.

• Helmick's forces in the 101st Airborne Division participated in the 2003 Mosul operation that ended the search for Uday and Qusay Hussein.

Views

Helmick's public remarks emphasize readiness, professional learning, disciplined leadership, and service. His military statements present leadership as a continuing educational process shaped by lessons from soldiers, peers, and superiors.

Membership

Helmick serves on the board of directors of the International Stability Operations Association, an organization representing companies and professionals involved in international stability, reconstruction, security, and related operations. He also serves on the National Security Advisory Council of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a civic organization that promotes American diplomatic and development engagement.

• Serves on the board of directors.

  International Stability Operations Association , United States

  2012 - present

• Serves on the National Security Advisory Council.

  U.S. Global Leadership Coalition , United States

Personality

Helmick has publicly emphasized readiness, continuous learning, and service to soldiers and their families. In a 2012 Army leadership presentation, he described leadership development as keeping the education of military personnel and leaders at the forefront of professional practice.

Quotes from others about the person

• At Helmick's 2009 assumption of command of the XVIII Airborne Corps, General Charles C. Campbell described him as a proven leader with substantial experience and called him a commander of vision and determination.

References

• United States Army Documents Helmick's assumption of command of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg and describes his military leadership.
  2009
• United States Army Documents Helmick's discussion of final operations in Iraq and leadership development during his command of XVIII Airborne Corps.
  2012
• SOS International LLC Documents Helmick's post-Army executive role, military commands, education, and advisory memberships.
• International Stability Operations Association Documents Helmick's military career, post-retirement work at SOSi, education, and board service.