Detachment 560 Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7903
Email: rnova01@manhattan.edu

Lieutenant Colonel Richard J. Nova is the Commander and Professor of Air and Space Studies for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York.

As Commander, he oversees all operations and leads a cadre of instructors and noncommissioned officers responsible for training more than 105 cadets from 15 colleges, universities and the United States Merchant Marine Academy who aspire to become officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.

Lt. Col. Nova is the direct liaison to the President of Manhattan University and chairs the Department of Air and Space Studies. He received his commission in May 2009 as a graduate of Clemson University’s AFROTC program. He entered active duty as a civil engineer and served in various installation and Major Command engineer positions.

Prior to commanding Detachment 560, Lt. Col. Nova served as Operations Flight Commander for the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In that role, he led 134 personnel responsible for maintaining $2.2 billion in base infrastructure supporting two Combatant Command Headquarters, three Space Force Field Commands, an Army Field Command, three Space Force Deltas, two wings and 111 tenant units. He also directed the Unit Control Center overseeing 392 personnel during emergencies and exercises.

In 2021, Lt. Col. Nova commanded AFROTC Detachment 159 and served as Acting Chairman of the Department of Aerospace Studies at the University of Central Florida. He oversaw operations involving the recruiting, motivating, training and evaluating of approximately 180 cadets aspiring to become Air Force and Space Force officers.

Lt. Col. Nova’s expeditionary experience includes three deployments supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support. He is a two-time Department of Defense All-Armed Forces Men’s Soccer Gold Medalist and represented the Air Force in domestic and international competitions, earning a silver medal at the 2016 NATO Air Command Championships.

Education

• 2009, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
• 2009, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2013, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, by correspondence
• 2015, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2022, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
• 2022, Master of Military Operational Studies, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

Assignments

1. December 2009–June 2012, Infrastructure Engineer, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
2. July 2012–September 2013, Deputy Commander Engineering Flight and Chief of Programs Management, 65th Civil Engineer Squadron, Lajes Air Base, Portugal
3. October 2013–October 2016, Civil Engineer Flight Commander and Executive Officer, 799th Air Base Group, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
4. November 2016–July 2019, Command Installation and Infrastructure Strategist, Plans, Programs and Analysis Directorate, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
5. August 2019–June 2021, Commander, Operations Officer and Education Officer, AFROTC Detachment 159, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
6. July 2021–June 2022, Student, Command and General Staff College, Air Force Element, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
7. July 2022–May 2024, Operations Flight Commander, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado
8. June 2024–Present, Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Other Achievements

• 2012, Major General Lupia CGO Runner-up, United States Air Forces Europe
• 2016, Company Grade Officer of the Year, United States Air Force Warfare Center
• 2015, Outstanding Contributor, Squadron Officer School
• 2022, Superior Graduate, Command and General Staff College
• 2023, Major General L. Dean Fox Award, United States Space Force

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second Lieutenant, May 9, 2009
• First Lieutenant, July 29, 2011
• Captain, July 29, 2013
• Major, July 29, 2019
• Lieutenant Colonel, October 1, 2023

Current as of October 2025.

Director of Staff and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Harrington is the Director of Staff and an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, New York.

In this capacity, he recruits, trains, evaluates and motivates highly qualified men and women as prospective officers.

Prior to this assignment, Lt. Col. Harrington served as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Detachment 867, Norwich University, Vermont. He also served as Chief of Environmental Plans and Total Force Integration Section Chief for Headquarters Air Combat Command's Basing, Force Structure and Total Force Integration Division at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

In that role, he initiated and completed the Environmental Impact Analysis Process for Air Combat Command basing actions and authored Total Force Integration policies and Association Plans for the appropriate use of Air Combat Command-gained Air Reserve Component resources.

Lt. Col. Harrington earned his commission through Officer Training School in June 2007. He began his career as a C-130 Navigator at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, eventually upgrading to instructor and leading four-ship formations while flying more than 300 combat missions.

In 2012, he became a remotely piloted aircraft pilot, commanding the MQ-1 Predator and accumulating more than 1,700 hours of combat and combat-support time. He also served as Course Director for the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Fundamentals Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, the final course of Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training, which graduates more than 300 pilots each year.

Education

• 2005, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
• 2014, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2015, Master of Science in Sports Management, American Military University, Charles Town, West Virginia
• 2020, Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence

Assignments

1. June 2009–June 2012, Safety Officer, Scheduler and Instructor Navigator, 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
2. July 2012–July 2016, Chief of Current Operations, Chief of Mobility, Assistant Flight Commander and MQ-1 Pilot, 20th Attack Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
3. August 2016–July 2019, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Fundamentals Course Director, Flight Commander and Instructor Pilot, 558th Flying Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
4. August 2019–August 2020, Director of Inspections, 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
5. September 2020–April 2024, Total Force Integration Section Chief, Headquarters Air Combat Command Basing, Force Structure and Total Force Integration Division, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
6. May 2024–April 2025, Chief, Environmental Plans, Headquarters Air Combat Command Basing, Force Structure and Total Force Integration Division, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
7. July 2024–March 2025, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Director of Staff, AFROTC Detachment 867, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont
8. March 2025–Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Director of Staff, AFROTC Detachment 867, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

Major Awards and Decorations

• Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Aerial Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters
• Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star
• Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star

Flight Information

• Rating: Senior RPA Pilot and Combat Systems Officer
• Aircraft Flown: MQ-1B, more than 1,700 hours
• Aircraft Flown: C-130E/H, more than 800 hours

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second Lieutenant, June 15, 2007
• First Lieutenant, June 15, 2009
• Captain, June 15, 2011
• Major, June 1, 2017
• Lieutenant Colonel, June 1, 2022

Current as of September 2026.

Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7902
Email: clovas01@manhattan.edu

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher M. Lovas is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and serves as the Operations Officer, Education Officer and Recruiting Officer for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York.

He is responsible for conducting and managing the education, training and accession of future Air Force and Space Force leaders. Lt. Col. Lovas graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2010. While stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, he served as Executive Officer to the Commander of the 47th Mission Support Group.

He was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of Minuteman III ICBM Operations Training in 2012 and served in numerous leadership positions while stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. In 2016, he transitioned into the intelligence career field and has since served at Fort Hood, Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Meade.

Lt. Col. Lovas is married to Major Amy Lovas, U.S. Army, an AH-64 pilot currently serving as an instructor in the Department of Mathematics at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Education

• 2010, Bachelor of Science in Basic Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• 2010, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2012, Distinguished Graduate, ICBM Operations Training (REACT-A), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
• 2013, Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy and Proliferation, Air Force Institute of Technology, by correspondence
• 2014, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2016, Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
• 2021, Master of Military Operational Art and Science, concentration in nuclear warfare, Air University, by correspondence
• 2023, Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence

Assignments

1. August 2010–August 2011, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training and Executive Officer, 47th Mission Support Group, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 2011–March 2012, Student, ICBM Operations Training (REACT-A), Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
3. March 2012–March 2013, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
4. March 2013–April 2013, Alternate/Squadron Command Post Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
5. April 2013–September 2013, Deputy Flight Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
6. September 2013–March 2014, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander Evaluator, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
7. March 2014–July 2014, Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
8. July 2014–December 2014, Alternate/Squadron Command Post Missile Combat Crew Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
9. January 2015–May 2015, Assistant Flight Commander, 490th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
10. May 2015–November 2015, Missile Combat Crew Commander Instructor, 341st Operations Support Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
11. July 2016–February 2017, Chief of Training and ASOC Intelligence Duty Officer, 712th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Hood, Texas
12. February 2017–June 2018, Support Flight Commander and ISR Liaison Officer, 3rd Air Support Operations Group, Fort Hood, Texas
13. June 2018–December 2019, Chief, Acquisition and Integration Branch, ISR Operations Division, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
14. January 2020–June 2021, Section Chief, Daily Operations Inspection, Inspector General, Headquarters United States Space Force, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
15. July 2021–September 2023, Chief, Open Source Intelligence Branch, Intelligence Directorate, Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland
16. September 2023–May 2024, Senior Intelligence Watch Officer, Intelligence Directorate, Headquarters United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland
17. June 2024–May 2025, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies and Operations Flight Commander, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York
18. June 2025–Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Operations Officer, Education Officer and Recruiting Officer, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York

Summary of Joint Assignments

• September 2023–May 2024, United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland

Major Awards and Decorations

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award
• National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation
• German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Gold)

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second Lieutenant, May 26, 2010
• First Lieutenant, May 26, 2012
• Captain, May 26, 2014
• Major, January 1, 2020
• Lieutenant Colonel, February 1, 2025

Current as of October 2025.

Operations Flight Commander and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Phone: 718-862-7944
Email: rsmith11@manhattan.edu

Major Ryan C. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York. Drawing on his education in international relations and his background as an intelligence officer, he instructs more than 100 lessons annually on National Security Studies and Commissioning Preparation.

As Operations Flight Commander, Maj. Smith leads, recruits, trains, counsels and evaluates 80 prospective Department of the Air Force officers from 15 colleges and universities across New York City. He also ensures cadets are successfully trained on 59 objectives in both joint and total force environments.

Maj. Smith enlisted in 2010 and commissioned through Officer Training School in 2016. He holds a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University. His operational experience includes six deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Bahrain and Djibouti. He has served as the Officer in Charge of Intelligence Operations supporting two C-130J Airlift Squadrons and as Division Chief supporting weapons and tactics development in the Department of the Air Force's only Operational Test and Evaluation Wing.

Education

• 2008, Bachelor of Arts in History, Manhattan College, New York
• 2013, Associate of Arts in Logistics Management, Community College of the Air Force
• 2013, Airman Leadership School, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina
• 2016, Master of Arts in Diplomacy, Norwich University, Vermont
• 2016, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
• 2017, Mobility Air Forces Intelligence Formal Training Unit, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
• 2020, F-35 Lightning II Intelligence Formal Training Unit, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
• 2021, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Course, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida
• 2023, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

Assignments

1. February 2010–April 2010, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. April 2010–August 2010, Student, Air Transportation (2T2X1) Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
3. September 2010–April 2016, Air Transportation Supervisor, Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
4. April 2016–June 2016, Student, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
5. June 2016–August 2017, Student, Intelligence Officer (14N) Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
6. September 2017–June 2020, C-130 Intelligence Analyst, 317th Operations Support Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
7. July 2020–October 2021, Officer in Charge of Intelligence Integration, 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
8. October 2021–June 2023, Chief, Intelligence Division, 53rd Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
9. July 2023–Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Bronx, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Air Mobility Command Airman of the Year, 2011
• Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award, 43rd Operations Group, 2011
• Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
• Airman Leadership School Commandant Award, 2013
• Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Officer Training School Distinguished Graduate, 2016
• Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and “C” device
• Army Commendation Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three service stars
• AFROTC Northeast Region Instructor of the Year, 2024 and 2025

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Airman First Class, April 4, 2010
• Senior Airman, December 1, 2011
• Staff Sergeant, August 1, 2013
• Second Lieutenant, June 17, 2016
• First Lieutenant, June 17, 2018
• Captain, June 17, 2020
• Major, March 1, 2026

Current as of April 2026.

Recruiting Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Captain Joseph C. Hark is the Recruiting Officer and an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Manhattan University, Riverdale, New York. Capt. Hark is responsible for leading, coordinating and executing the Detachment's recruiting program across 16 crosstown schools in New York City and Long Island.

In his previous assignment, Capt. Hark served as Executive Officer for U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs. He oversaw executive activities including taskers, personnel, resources and protocol, and managed staff operations planning and team battle rhythm. He also worked in the media operations division, executing Department of the Air Force and Combatant Command communication objectives and providing public affairs support for nine wings throughout Europe and Africa.

Capt. Hark commissioned in 2021 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. He has supervised teams at the wing level and led public affairs operations during exercises and missions in the United States, Germany, Finland, Romania, Lithuania, Morocco and Zambia.

Education

• 2021, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, New York
• 2026, Master of Arts in Public Administration, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Assignments or Career Chronology

1. July 2021–August 2023, Public Affairs Officer, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
2. August 2023–May 2025, Public Affairs Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
3. June 2025–July 2026, Executive Officer, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
4. August 2026–Present, Recruiting Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Detachment 560, Manhattan University, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second Lieutenant, May 14, 2021
• First Lieutenant, June 7, 2023
• Captain, June 7, 2025

Current as of September 2026.

Officer Accessions Instructor

Technical Sergeant Zachary J. Lemieux is an Officer Accessions Instructor for Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 in Riverdale, New York. TSgt Lemieux is responsible for training an average of 90 cadets each year throughout the New York City area, including students from 16 crosstown institutions partnered with Detachment 560.

TSgt Lemieux is also responsible for personnel management matters for active duty and Air Force Institute of Technology students assigned to the unit.

TSgt Lemieux was born and raised in New Haven County, Connecticut. He graduated from Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in 2012 before enlisting in the Air Force in June 2014. His career includes experience in both technical and administrative positions.

Education

• 2014, Basic Military Training Course, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
• 2014, Air Transportation Apprentice Course, Fort Lee, Virginia
• 2021, Airman Leadership School, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
• 2023, Associate of Applied Science in Transportation, Community College of the Air Force

Assignments

1. June 2014–August 2014, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 2014–October 2014, Student, 345th Air Force Training Squadron, Fort Lee, Virginia
3. November 2014–November 2018, Ramp Operations, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
4. December 2018–March 2020, Air Terminal Operations Center, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
5. April 2020–July 2022, Aircraft Load Planning, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
6. August 2022–July 2026, Air Transportation Instructor, 423rd Training Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey
7. August 2026–Present, Officer Accessions Instructor, Air Force ROTC Detachment 560, Riverdale, New York

Major Awards and Decorations

• Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Achievement Medal

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Airman Basic, June 3, 2014
• Airman First Class, August 1, 2014
• Senior Airman, December 1, 2016
• Staff Sergeant, December 1, 2021
• Technical Sergeant, May 1, 2026

Current as of September 2026.

Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Administration Management

Staff Sergeant Jordin J.G. Winright serves as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Administration Management for Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 at Manhattan University in Bronx, New York.

In this role, SSgt Winright oversees administrative operations, personnel management and organizational correspondence for the Detachment. He supports mission readiness through records control, policy implementation and mentorship of cadets and junior personnel. His leadership and attention to detail contribute to the efficiency and professionalism of the Detachment's daily operations.

Education & Training

• 2011, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
• 2011, Technical School, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
• 2015, Airman Leadership School, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
• 2025, AFROTC NCO Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama

Assignments

1. August 2011–October 2011, Student, 322 TRS, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. October 2011–December 2011, Student, 336 TRS, Knowledge Operations Management Technical Training, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi
3. January 2012–August 2015, Administrative Journeyman, 55 MXG, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
4. August 2015–December 2016, Military Postal Clerk, 51 CS, Osan Air Base, South Korea
5. December 2016–May 2021, NCOIC, CSS, 834 COS, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
6. May 2021–August 2025, CSS Technician, 25 ASOS, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii
7. August 2025–Present, NCOIC, Administration Management, AFROTC Detachment 560, Bronx, New York

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Airman Basic, August 16, 2011
• Airman, August 16, 2011
• Airman First Class, October 14, 2011
• Senior Airman, February 14, 2014
• Staff Sergeant, September 1, 2018

Current as of November 2025.