The United States Air Force: 'Chaos' in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron
In the spring of 2019, Lt. Col. Matthew 'Chaos' Nussbaum is nearing the end of his two-year term as commander of the U.S. Air Force's 99th Reconnaissance Squadron. In this position, he has focused the majority of his energy on finding new ways to organize, train and equip the unit, whose mission is to execute and sustain U-2 operations globally. Nussbaum's methods empowered individuals within the squadron, and enabled them to achieve much that people familiar with the Department of Defense previously considered impossible. Yet with progress came risk, and costs. This case considers how breakthroughs were made, examines the role leadership played, and asks how Nussbaum's approach can both be sustained in the 99th and more widely applied throughout the Air Force.
Keywords: Empowerment; innovation; motivation; military; Leadership; Culture; Change; Leading Change; Innovation Strategy; United States;
Citation:
Gino, Francesca, Jeff Huizinga, and Nicole Keller. "The United States Air Force: 'Chaos' in the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron." Harvard Business School Case 919-047, May 2019. View Details