The Story of AVTECH

AVTECH Research Corporation was founded in 1997 by Earl “Obiwan” Henderson and Craig “Craiger” Dennis. AVTECH is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Henderson, Nevada.

We have provided unrivaled support to Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) for over twenty-five years. Our corporate headquarters is located at Nellis; our corporate leadership is located at Nellis; and the majority of our employees are located at Nellis.

For our entire 25+ year history we have supported government contracts for the entire spectrum of Nellis unit missions and have a reputation for always delivering. AVTECH leadership includes former combat aviators who served and led units within the United States Air Force (USAF) Warfare Center (USAFWC), 57 WG, and USAF Weapons School (WS).

Our CEO, President, and COO are retired fighter aviators and WS graduates, with joint operations, air staff, operations group & squadron command, and USAFWC staff experience. Each has detailed comprehension of the USAFWC mission and its subordinate organizations, with specific emphasis on the requirements for the rigorous Weapons School Instructor programs.

AVTECH has provided the USAF continuing exercise and test support, maintenance flightline support; tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) development, validation, documentation, and production support within the combat air forces (CAF) for the last 25+ years.

The AVTECH Executive Team

• Steve “Chip” Corbett - CEO

• Rich “Hap” Arnold - President

• Moon “Moondawgie” Milham - COO

• Jim “JT” Tinsler - CFO

Executive Team Experience

Steve “Chip” Corbett - CEO

Steven “Chip” Corbett is part-owner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AVTECH Research Corporation and serves on its Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the AVTECH team, Steve served his country in the United States Air Force. During Steve’s military career, he primarily flew the F-4 Phantom, amassing 2200+ hours. In 1984, he attended the USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course and earned the “Distinguished Graduate” award.  His assignments took him to Germany, North Carolina, Florida, Nevada, Japan and back to Nevada. Following retirement, Steve joined the AVTECH team in August 1999. He initially served as the AVTECH Facility Security Officer, then as the Chief Financial Officer (January 2001 to 2018).

Before being named CEO in July 2022, Steve was AVTECH’s President (March 2020) and was responsible for the day to day working operations, including contract and program management.

Steve received his bachelor’s of science degree in 1977 from Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia. He received his master’s degree in business and personnel management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan in 1985.

Steve enjoys preparing dinner, traveling, relaxing in the pool and hot tub during the “hot” summers in Las Vegas, fishing and spending time with his wife, children and 5 grandchildren. Steve currently resides in Henderson, Nevada with his wife of 44+ years.

Rich “Hap” Arnold - President

Rich “Hap” Arnold is part-owner, President of AVTECH Research Corporation and serves on the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the AVTECH team, Hap served his country in the United States Air Force for 23 years flying the venerable F-4 Phantom and mighty F-15E Strike Eagle around the globe.  His assignments took him to California, Texas, England, Japan, New Mexico, Arizona, Virginia, Alaska, and finally Nevada. Following retirement, Hap joined the AVTECH team in May 2006. Initially serving as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Tactics Manuals Program Manager and then as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Hap has over 25 years of FMS experience. During active duty, he worked as the International Precision Weapons Chief in the Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs (SAF/IA) Weapons Division and action officer for the initial Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF) Tactics Release Policy.

Hap received his bachelor’s of science degree in 1983 from the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from the USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course in 1988. In 1999, he earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy State University. He has also completed Air War College and Air Command and Staff College.

Hap enjoys traveling, golfing, fishing, running a fantasy football league, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Moon “Moondawgie” Milham - COO

Moon “Moondawgie” Milham is part-owner, Chief of Operation (COO) of AVTECH Research Corporation and serves on the Board of Directors.

Mr. Milham started his career by serving his country in the United States Air Force for 33 years flying F-16s all around the globe. Attending Southern Illinois University, Moon received his bachelor’s of science degree in 1983 and was commissioned as an officer in the USAF through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. In 1997 Mr. Milham earned a master’s degree in Aerospace Science from Embry-Riddle University.

Moon was recognized as the Distinguished Graduate in his F-16 course assigned to: Kunsan AB Korea, Ramstein, NATO/SHAPE Tactical Leadership Program, Spangdahlem, Luke AFB, then 162 Fighter Wing Tucson AZ. Moon attended and graduated from the USAF F-16 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC) in 1993. He participated in combat Operations including: Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, Northern Watch, Allied Force, and Noble Eagle. In May 2016, after 33 years of military service, Lt Col Milham retired from the USAF and Air National Guard (ANG), achieving a grand total of 5,569 flying hours, of which 4,569 hours were flown in the F-16. Of those, 180 hours were flown in combat.

During Moon’s 33 years in military service he was an F-16 FWIC Instructor Pilot (IP), Director of Operations, Weapons and Tactics flight commander, and Squadron Commander. He has over 20 years of experience regarding Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and participated in training of over 16 nations to fly the F-16 and F-35.

Mr. Milham joined AVTECH Research Corporation in 2016 as subject mater expert (SME) in air-to-air weapons, air-to-ground weapons, F-16, and the F-35.

Jim “JT” Tinsler - CFO

James “JT” Tinsler is part-owner, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of AVTECH Research Corporation and serves on its Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the AVTECH team, JT served his country for over 21 years in the United States Air Force, primarily as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. JT joined the AVTECH team in June 2005 when AVTECH was awarded the F-22 Instrumentation contract at Nellis AFB.   

In addition to being named CFO in December 2018, JT manages a group of experienced maintenance technicians in support of AVTECH’s flightline operations contract; maintaining and loading Electronic Attack pods for the 64th Aggressor Squadron.   

JT received his bachelor’s of science degree in Engineering in 1982 from Western Michigan University. He accomplished his mandatory Air Force master’s degree in Logistics Management from Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan in 1985.

JT enjoys continuous attempts at improving his golf game, road trips on his Harley,  woodworking and making the long trips to visit his almost 3 (one in the oven due Nov 2023) grandkids.