Col. Michael L. Primiano is Commander, 1st Air Support Operations Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He oversees four squadrons providing Tactical Air Control Party and Staff Weather Officer capabilities to U.S. Army I Corps and other joint and multinational partners.
Col. Primiano received his Air Force commission in 2002 after graduating from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. Upon graduation he attended Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training and subsequently completed tours with both U.S. and NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) units. Following his time in AWACS, Col. Primiano served multiple Air Liaison Officer (ALO) assignments with the XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, 25th Infantry Division, and 3rd Infantry Division, where he commanded the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron.
Col. Primiano most recently served as the deputy chief of the Combat Air Forces Division, Headquarters Air Force Plans and Programs where he oversaw the implementation of the 5-year and 30-year resource strategy for fighter aircraft, Tactical Air Control Party, Personnel Recovery and aircraft munitions. Col. Primiano has six deployments.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science, Norwich University, Northfield, Vt.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB Ala.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB Ala.
2009 Master of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
2012 Air Command and Staff College (non-residence)
2015 United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2016 Master of Science in Administration, Central Michigan University, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2017 Master of Science in Operational Studies, USMC School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, Va.
2021 Master of Science in Strategic Studies, USAF Air Force Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2002 – July 2003, Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
2. July 2003 – January 2007, Instructor Air Weapons Officer, 964 Airborne Control Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
3. January 2007 – July 2008, Evaluator Air Weapons Officer, 552 Training Sq, Tinker AFB, Okla.
4. July 2008 – January 2012, Flight Commander, NATO AWACS, Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany
5. January 2012 – March 2013, Director of Support and ALO, 14th Air Support Operations Sq, Pope Army
Airfield, N.C.
6. March 2013 – June 2014, Assistant Director of Operations, 18th Air Support Operations Group, Pope AAF, N.C.
7. June 2014 – June 2015, Student, Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
8. June 2015 – June 2016, Instructor, Joint Interagency and Multinational Operations, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
9. June 2016 – June 2017, Student, School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, Va.
10. June 2017 – June 2018, Director of Operations, 25th Air Support Operations Sq, Wheeler AAF, Hawaii
11. June 2018 – July 2020, Commander, 15th Air Support Operations Sq, Fort Stewart, Ga.
12. July 2020 – June 2021, Student, United States Air Force Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. June 2021 – July 2023, Joint Staff Officer, Joint Staff J-5 War Plans Division, Pentagon, D.C.
14. July 2023 – July 2024, Deputy Division Chief, Headquarters Air Force A-8 Combat Air Forces, Pentagon, D.C.
15. July 2024 – present, Commander, 1st Air Support Operations Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2021 – July 2023, Joint Staff Officer, Joint Staff J-5 War Plans Division, Pentagon, D.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Air Battle Manager
Flight hours: 1,892
Aircraft flown: E-3A/B/C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 oak leaf cluster)
Meritorious Service Medal (3 oak leaf clusters)
Air Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 4, 2002
First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
Captain May 29, 2006
Major June 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel April 1, 2017
Colonel August 1, 2023
(Current as of July 2024)