Dan “Fig” Leaf is the Managing Director of Phase Minus 1, LLC (PM1), a company he formed with Dr. Alaa Murabit in 2017. Focus areas include peace on the Korean Peninsula, conflict resolution, effective governance, strategic leadership, and Women, Peace & Security. Fig provides consulting services on military and security concepts, requirements generation, and advanced technology.

He is a decorated combat fighter pilot and leader, respected educator, and experienced defense industry executive. Fig was the Director, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in Honolulu from 2012 through 2016. He worked in the defense industry as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Northrop Grumman Information Systems from 2008- 2012. His 33-year Air Force career culminated in duties as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) from 2005-2008, Other assignments included Vice Commander of Air Force Space Command, USAF Director of Operational Capability Requirements, and six different commands. A command pilot with more than 3,600 flight hours, he flew F-15 and F-16 combat missions.

An authority on the Indo-Asia-Pacific, Fig has worked with leaders of every nation in the region except North Korea. He delivered guest lectures at King’s College London, the Vietnam Academy of Social Science, and the Pakistan National Defense University among others. Fig’s military experience includes his time at PACOM, a tour of duty at Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, four years of duty assignments in both the Republic of Korea and Japan, and temporary military duty across the region. As a civilian, he worked as a national exercise senior observer for PACOM, and at Northrop Grumman gained industry experience with Asia-Pacific customers.

He currently serves on the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s Military Affairs Council, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, and the Leadership Council of the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, and the Spirit of America Advisory Board. His awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the Air Medal.

Fig is a prolific and prize-winning author whose publications include:

2018: The One Thing Trump Should Ask of Kim Jong Un, Dan Leaf, Politico

2018: U.S.-North Korea summit: Meeting of minds?, Dan Leaf, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

2018: Diplomacy, sanctions, missile defense: Use this triad against North Korea, Defense News

2017: Comprehensive missile defense for the homeland, Defense News

2017: Keeping it real: Credible military options for the North Korean threat, Defense News

2017: Improve Hawai’i’s Missile Defenses – Now, Defense One

2017: An Urgently Practical Approach to the Korean Peninsula, the Oslo Forum (winner of the Forum’s first-ever “Peacewriter Prize)

2017: The US Army Urgently Needs a Modern Air-Defense Control System, Defense One

2017: A viable military option: Countering North Korea’s weapons program, Defense News

1994: Acceptable Risk Planning Factor, Air-Land-Sea Applications Agency Bulletin

1993: Unity of Command and Interdiction, Air University Press

1988: Establishment and Evolution of Air-to-Air Weapons System Evaluation Programs, Army Command and General Staff College

1988: The Future of Close Air Support, Military Review

Fig joined Spirit of America’s Advisory Board in 2018.