Col Michele S. Suggs is Service Commander and MTF Director of 354th Medical Group, Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska. As Director, she is responsible for the health care delivered to 24,000 beneficiaries by 221 military, civilian, and contract personnel. As Commander, she ensures mobility-ready medics and a medically ready force, in support of the 354th Fighter Wing's mission in delivering U.S. Northern Command alert missions and fifth generation combat airpower to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Col Suggs enlisted in the Air Force in November 1991 and completed Air Transportation training in March 1992. She has been assigned to various positions ranging from Air Cargo Specialist to an enlisted Aircrew Member as an in-flight refueler on KC-135s. Col Suggs received her commission in April 2003, and since has held a variety of nursing positions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She served as the Chief of Stakeholder Engagement Branch, Solution Delivery Division, Program Executive Office Medical Systems, Defense Health Agency. Prior to her current position, Col Suggs was Commander, 6th Healthcare Operation Squadron, 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Florida. She commanded a 130-member squadron for the Air Force’s largest Tier 1 outpatient single-unit prime clinic and oversaw the delivery comprehensive, and cost-effective healthcare for more than 30,000 enrolled beneficiaries.
Additionally, Col Suggs served on Critical Care Air Transport Teams in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. As an Aeromedical Evacuation expert, she deployed to support Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT and FREEDOM’s SENTINAL.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Nursing, Davenport University, Midland, Mich.
2003 Commissioned Officer Training, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Master of Science, Nursing, University of Phoenix, Ariz., Sigma Theta Tau
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., in-residence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air Force Medical Home Executive Leadership Seminar, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Fort Sam Houston, Texas
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1992 - October 1996, Air Cargo Specialist, 29th Aerial Port Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Mich.
2. October 1996 - May 2003, In-Flight Refueling, 927th Air Refueling Squadron, Selfridge ANGB, Mich.
3. May 2004 - January 2006, Flight Nurse, 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. January 2006 - May 2008, Clinical Nurse, Intensive Care Flight, 59th Surgical Operations Squadron, JBSA Lackland, Texas
5. May 2008 - April 2009, Section Chief, Life Support Office, 59th Medical Wing, JBSA Lackland, Texas
6. April 2009 - February 2010, Executive Officer, 59th Medical Wing, JBSA Lackland, Texas
7. February 2010 - January 2011, Clinical Nurse, Intensive Care Flight, 59th Surgical Operations Squadron, JBSA Lackland, Texas
8. January 2011 - June 2015, Deputy Flight Commander, Critical Care Flight, 60th Inpatient Operations Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
9. June 2015 - June 2017, Family Health Flight Commander, 436th Medical Operations Squadron, Dover AFB, Del.
10. June 2017 - June 2018, Nurse Utilization Fellow, Nurse Career Management Branch, Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center, JBSA Randolph, Texas
11. June 2018 - June 2019, Assignment Officer, Nurse Career Management Branch, Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center, JBSA Randolph, Texas
12. June 2019 - June 2021, Commander, 22d Healthcare Operations Squadron, and Chief Nurse Executive, 22d Medical Group, McConnell AFB, Kan.
13. June 2021 - June 2022, Headquarters of the Air Force Senior Nurse Executive Fellow, Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Va.
14. June 2022 - June 2023, Stakeholder Engagement Branch Chief, Solution Delivery Division, Defense Health Agency, Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Va.
15. June 2023 - April 2024, Chief Nurse, 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Fla.
16. April 2024 - June 2025, Commander, 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron, 6th Medical Group, MacDill AFB, Fla.
17. June 2025 - Present, Commander and MTF Director, 354th Medical Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Afghanistan Campaign Medal one Service Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one Service Star
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Boarder and one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
National Certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse
2008 Air Education and Training Learning Innovation Award
2020 MHS Federal Senior Military Nursing Excellence in Leadership Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Emergency Nurses Association
Tanker Airlift Association
Sigma Theta Tau
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant December 1, 2003
Captain May 1, 2004
Major August 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2019
Colonel May 1, 2024
(Current as of March 2026)