Col. Richard O. Cole is the Commander of the 354th Mission Support Group, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. He leads six squadrons engaged to provide combat capacity, capability, and mission-ready forces in direct support of US national interests worldwide. His team also delivers robust services, base infrastructure support and world-class quality of life programs for the 9,000-strong Eielson "Iceman" community within Alaska's interior, keeping the base "Ready to Go at 50 Below!"

Col. Cole is originally from Dallas, Texas, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He has served the Air Force in multiple personnel positions from the squadron, Major Command and Headquarters Air Force levels. He also supported Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and twice deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, first for the Army and the second time for the Air Force.

EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
1994 Academic Instructor School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1996 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1999 Master of Adult Education, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Ill.
2005 Air Command and Staff College
2009 Air War College
2014 Naval War College, Naval Air Station, Newport, R.I.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1993 - September 1995, Education and Training Advisor, 542nd Operations Support Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
2. September 1995 - November 1996, Instructional Systems Development Specialist, 58th Training Support Squadron and Group Resource Advisor, 58th Operations Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
3. November 1996 - November 1997, Director of Instruction, Air University Academic Support, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
4. November 1997 - November 1998, Flight Commander and Director of Instruction, Air University Academic Support, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
5. November 1998 - October 1999, Chief, Teaching Section Bravo, Air University Academic Support, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. October 1999 - September 2000, Chief, Customer Support, 27th Mission Support Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M. (July 2000 - September 2000, Personnel for Contingency Team Chief, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia)
7. September 2000 - August 2001, Chief, Employment and Relocations, 27th Mission Support Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
8. August 2001 - April 2003, Wing Section Commander, 34th Training Wing, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
9. April 2003 - June 2005, Commander, Cadet Squadron 14, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
10. June 2005 - April 2006, Chief, United States Air Force Academy Programs Assessment, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
11. April 2006 - June 2007, Chief, United States Air Force Academy Policy, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Va. (April 2007 - October 2007, Brigade S-1 and Executive Officer to Kandahar Airfield Army Base Commander, Kandahar, Afghanistan)
12. October 2007 - May 2008, Executive Officer, HAF/A1D (Education and Training), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
13. May 2008 - July 2011, Commander, 81st Force Support Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
14. July 2011 - June 2013, Deputy Commander, 52nd Mission Support Group, Spangdahlem AB, Germany (May 2012 - November 2012, Deputy Commander, 451st Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Kandahar Airfield, Kandahar, Afghanistan)
15. June 2013 - June 2014, Student, College of Naval Warfare, Naval War College, Naval Air Station, Newport, R.I.
16. June 2014 - May 2015, Deputy Director, Manpower, Personnel and Services Directorate, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga.
17. June 2015 - Present, Commander, 354th Mission Support Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster and one silver leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal