Capturing Leadership: Portrait of Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn

U.S MilitaryU.S Airforce
Written By RORY LEWIS

Capturing Leadership: Portrait of Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn

At the forefront of military education and strategic leadership, Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn stands as a figure of dedication, intellect, and service. As the 17th President of the National Defense University (NDU), Lt. Gen. Plehn plays a pivotal role in shaping the minds of military officers, civilian officials, and international leaders, ensuring that they are equipped to tackle the complex challenges of modern warfare and global security.

Recently, I had the honor of capturing Lt. Gen. Plehn’s portrait for the Heroes in Focus Foundation, an initiative dedicated to preserving the legacies of military personnel and service members through portraiture and storytelling. This session was not only an opportunity to photograph a distinguished leader but also a moment to reflect on his profound contributions to national security and military education.

Lt. Gen. Plehn’s military journey is one of remarkable service and accomplishment. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in Astronautical Engineering, his career spans decades of leadership in special operations, joint interagency assignments, and strategic command. His extensive experience includes serving as Military Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command and Deputy Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, where he played an integral role in shaping U.S. military operations worldwide.

A master navigator with over 2,200 flight hours, including 375 combat hours, Lt. Gen. Plehn’s operational history spans missions in Bosnia, Somalia, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Iraq. His expertise and leadership in the AC-130 gunship, U-28, MQ-1B, and MQ-9 platforms have cemented his legacy as a highly skilled strategist and warrior.Donations

When photographing Lt. Gen. Plehn, I sought to encapsulate his strategic vision and unwavering dedication to military service. His posture, expression, and uniform tell a story of commitment, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with leading at the highest levels. The session was an opportunity to highlight not just the individual but the profound role he plays in educating and mentoring the next generation of military leaders. Donations Through he Heroes in Focus Foundation, we strive to preserve these stories—ensuring that the faces of military leadership are documented for future generations. Portraiture serves as a bridge between the past and the present, allowing us to honor those who serve while inspiring those who will follow in their footsteps.

Our work at Heroes in Focus depends on the generosity of supporters who believe in the power of storytelling through art. Donations help us continue capturing the legacies of military personnel, ensuring that their contributions are not forgotten. If you would like to support this mission, please consider donating to help us expand this important project.

We are honored to have worked with Lieutenant General Michael T. Plehn and to continue our mission of preserving the stories of those who serve. Their sacrifices, leadership, and dedication deserve to be seen and remembered.

RORY LEWIS

Winner of the Portrait of Britain in 2017 and 2018. Lewis is a dedicated portrait photographer who has spent over a decade capturing many of the world’s most recognised faces. Sitters have included the likes of William Shatner, David Cameron, Sir Derek Jacobi, Iain Glen and Natalie Dormer. Rory’s images have been exhibited on both sides of the Atlantic, and several of his iconic portraits have been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in London. His recent project, ‘Soldiery’, which documented the British Army of the 21st Century, was completed over a two year period and has been hailed as a national success story, named by the BBC as ‘The changing face of the British Army’. Rory divides his time between London and Los Angeles, working with a wide variety of clients. In addition to his projects and private portraits, his photography has been commissioned by Pepsi, Universal, the British Army, The Times, The Guardian and Cancer Research UK, among others. Rory draws immense inspiration from the masters of art including Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Caravaggio and Jusepe de Ribera.

http://www.rorylewis.studio
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