National Security Conference 2026 Guest Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
COL Ty S. Gilbert, USAF (RET)
Colonel Ty S. Gilbert, United States Air Force, Retired, most recently commanded the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC) at RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom. Drawing personnel from more than thirty nations, NIFC provides SACEUR and Allied Command Operations with timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence to support the planning and execution of NATO operations and to enable deterrence and defence of the Euro-Atlantic area.
A three-time commander and strategic-level international leader, he served 30 years and led organizations of 200 to 850 personnel in some of the most complex military enterprises in the world. His pursuit of excellence placed him in the top one percent of a 350,000-person Air Force. Tested in combat across the CENTCOM and EUCOM theaters, his career centered on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, and cyberspace operations.
At NIFC he led 214 international members producing decision-quality intelligence for NATO’s senior leaders. He created and executed the most significant reorganization in the Centre’s twenty-year history, driving a sharp rise in production. He reset organizational culture as the catalyst for a data revolution, introducing big-data tools and artificial intelligence / machine-learning capability, and established NIFC as a NATO pacesetter in open-source intelligence—culminating in OSINT Foundation 2025 OSINT Unit of the Year honors. He was selected by name to assist the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence on a complex counter-drone campaign and strategy.
EDUCATION
Master of Science, National Intelligence University (Joint Military Intelligence College), 2004
Bachelor of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 1996
Marine Command and Staff College (Residence), Quantico, Virginia, 2009
Squadron Officer School (Residence); Air War College (Correspondence)
NATO Senior Officer Policy Course, NATO School Oberammergau, 2022
AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal (eight oak leaf clusters)
NATO Meritorious Service Medal; NATO Medal
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas W. Knowlton Award (2019), Military Intelligence Corps Association — lifetime contribution to the intelligence discipline
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device; Afghanistan Campaign
Medal