Colonel Anthony J. Ajello, Jr. is the commander of the 49th Mission Support Group, Holloman AFB, N.M. He commands over 1,800 Airmen, civilians, and contractors, managing and directing base support, security, logistics, personnel and services activities for 18,000 people, supporting MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper training and BEAR deployable basing assets, as well as 22 associate units from 14 different commands including the German Air Force Flying Training Center. Colonel Ajello oversees operations for 66,000 acres of land, 1,394 facilities and over $5.3 billion in infrastructure and equipment while directing annual execution of over $17 million of appropriated funds, $7.4 million in non-appropriated funds and $33 million in civilian pay. In addition, he provides base and local disaster response and contingency support.
Colonel Ajello graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1992 and attended intelligence officer training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. As a master intelligence officer, USAF Weapons School graduate and instructor and joint specialty officer, he has held numerous operational, command and staff positions. Colonel Ajello was director of operations for the 26th Air and Space Intelligence Squadron, commander of the 19th Weapons Squadron at the USAF Weapons School, and deputy commander of the 432nd Operations Group/432nd Expeditionary Operations Group. His staff tours include Headquarters USAF, the Joint Staff, and Division Director at United States Forces Korea. He has deployed and supported multiple combat and contingency operations in several theaters, to include Operations UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, JOINT FORGE, SOUTHERN WATCH, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY and IRAQI FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science in military history, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1993 Intelligence Applications Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
1994 Electronic Combat Intelligence Course, Eglin AFB, Fla.
1996 Intelligence Weapons Instructor Course (outstanding academic graduate), U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
1997 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2001 Master of Business Administration in aviation management (with honors), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Langley AFB, Va.
2004 Joint Doctrine Air Campaign Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Joint Military Intelligence College, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.
2006 Master of Science in strategic intelligence (with highest academic distinction), National Intelligence University, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.
2009 Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk Naval Base, Va.
2012 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Master of Science in strategic studies (with highest academic distinction / top academic graduate), Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1992 - August 1992, Student, Fundamentals of Intelligence Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2. August 1992 - February 1993, Student, Intelligence Applications Officer Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
3. February 1993 - January 1996, Officer in-charge, Squadron Intelligence Section, 59th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
4. January 1996 - June 1996, Student, USAF Intelligence Weapons Instructor Course, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. July 1996 - July 1999, Chief, intelligence operations and Wing intelligence weapons and tactics officer, 388th Operations Support Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
6. July 1999 - December 2001, Chief, unit policy and advocacy, and USAF Intelligence Weapons Instructor Course program manager, Air Combat Command Intelligence Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
7. December 2001 - July 2004, Intelligence flight commander and Wing senior intelligence officer, 31st Operations Support Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy
8. July 2004 - July 2005, Director of Operations, 26th Air and Space Intelligence Squadron (ISR Division), Pacific Air Operations Center, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
9. July 2005 - August 2006, Intermediate Developmental Education and Graduate School Student, Joint Military Intelligence College, Defense Intelligence Agency, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.
10. August 2006 - February 2007, Chief, intelligence officer force management, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters USAF, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
11. March 2007 - June 2009, Executive assistant to the Vice Director of Intelligence and Strategic Intelligence Planner, Intelligence Directorate J2, the Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
12. June 2009 - July 2011, Commander, 19th Weapons Squadron, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
13. July 2011 - July 2012, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. July 2012 - July 2014, Deputy commander, 432d Operations Group, 432nd Wing, Creech AFB, Nev.
15. July 2014 - July 2016, Director, strategic estimates and analysis, target intelligence, exercises and plans division, USFK J2/CFC C2/UNC U2, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Republic of Korea.
16. August 2016 - present, Commander, 49th Mission Support Group, Holloman AFB, N.M.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2002, U.S. Air Force Outstanding Intelligence Officer of the Year
2002, Director of Central Intelligence National Intelligence Community Award of Distinction
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1992
First Lieutenant May 27, 1994
Captain May 27, 1996
Major Dec. 1, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 1, 2007
Colonel Jan. 1, 2014
(Current as of August 2016)