(Current as of July 2019). August 2002 – July 2005, Instructor Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 562d Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas Col Thomas is married to the former Courtney Hutt from Carthage, New York. An MC-130P from the 17th SOS lands at Yokota Air Base, 13 March 2011. May 1999 – August 2002, C-141B Instructor Navigator, Tactics Bookie, 6th Airlift Squadron, McGuire AFB, N.J. 4. He commands 950 special operations personnel across seven squadrons at Kadena and Yokota Air Bases, (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lineage. AFSOC IG conducts first no-notice inspection 'A Tribute to Persistence': SecAF presents Air Force Cross to Special Tactics Airman; Duke Field fuel cell hangar fire suppression test marks final steps towards renovation completion The group's first predecessor was activated in 1944 as the 3d Air Commando Group. Jessica Tait, 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs, 353rd Special Operations Group / Published November 14, 2016. PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 6. 2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Col Thomas hails from Shelby Township, Michigan. 13. The 353d Special Operations Group consists of the following squadrons: 1. Kathi Glascock, 100th Air Refueling Wing Command Chief, participated in a panel discussion, answering questions about lessons learned throughout their careers. Lieutenant Colonel – May 2012 Major – February 2007 May 2017 – Jul 2018, Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. He received his commission through ROTC after graduating from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jul 2019 – Present, Commander, 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan 2 Article (U), Col Robert Toth, 353 SOG/CC, âOperation Pathfinder,â Air Commando Journal, Fall 2011. 2019 Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy Air Force Commendation Medal w 3 OLC 1997 Bachelor of Science, Nuclear Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. He also led a 22 person staff including the Commander’s Action Group, Protocol and Commander’s Support Staff in the daily execution of the Headquarter’s functions. 11. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. November 1998 – May 1999, Student Navigator, C-141 Initial Mission Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla. They have two children, six year old daughter, Elle and three year old son, Declan. The Pacific Air Commandos from the 353rd Special Operations Group welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony June 19 at Kadena Air Base, Japan.Col. 2011 Master of Science, Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. âThis operation not only demonstrated the SOGâs ability to quickly deploy anywhere, anytime in the Pacific, but it also showed seamless interoperability between the 36th CRG and the 353rd SOG that led to mission success.â June 1997 – January 1998, Student Navigator, 325th Flying TrainingWing, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kirby, 353rd Special Operations Group commander brief prospective mission commanders on his priorities and expectations Dec. 7, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Air Force Achievement Medal w 1 OLC Commander, 353rd Special Operations Group 1 Article (U), Brig Gen Kenneth Wilsbach, 18 WG/PCC, âSayonara to Team Kadena,â AF News Print, 26 May 2011. Over his 22 years of service, Col Thomas has served in a variety of operational and staff assignments at various levels. 9. First Lieutenant – May 1999 July 2007 – February 2008, Student Navigator, MC-130H Initial Qualification, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, Texas "This year we focused on further developing our partnership capacity and interoperability with 40th SQDN through low-level formation work and tactical operations on night vision goggles (NVGs)," said Maj. Mark Schmidt, mission commander for Exercise Teak Net. 353d Operations Support Squadron 5. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. 14. Official site of the 352nd Special Operations Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom William Turner took the time to tour each of the 353rd Special Operations Group facilities and meet with the 353rd SOG Airmen. A CV-22 # Osprey prepares to take off at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, following combat search and rescue training during exercise Keen Sword, Oct. 29, 2020. 353d Maintenance Squadron 6. Keen Sword is a training opportunity between JSDF and the U.S. military across a variety of scenarios, allowing the enhancement of interoperability of U.S. and Japanese forces. Col Thomas has supported multiple operations throughout his career such as JOINT GUARDIAN, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE. Flight hours: 2,800 Colonel – October 2018 Rating: Master Navigator 6. 12. The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Schoolâs Mission Commanderâs Course prepares prospective mission commanders and senior enlisted leaders for their duties and responsibilities in either a deployed or off ⦠16. Previously he was the Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command. 17th Special Operations Squadron(MC-130P Combat Shadow) 3. Gabrielle Spalding), Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) descend from a CV-22 Osprey during a fast rope and hoist training as part of exercise Keen Sword 21, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2020. Gabrielle Spalding), U.S. Military, Japan Self-Defense Force leadership and other service members discuss mission operations on a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron out of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, during Keen Sword 21, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2020. Units from the 374th Airlift Wing, and from the 353rd Special Operations Group accomplished a variety of missions alongside their JSDF and joint partners across the Kanto Plains, allowing the enhancement of bilateral operations between the U.S. and Japan. As Commander of the 353 SOG, Col Thomas is the Commander of Air Force Special Operations Forces for both Special Operations Command Pacific and Korea. Col. Jason Kirby relinquished command of the 353rd Special Operations Group (SOG) to Col. Michael Thomas during a change of command ceremony on 3 July, 2019. Members with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) watch as their teammates are hoisted into a CV-22 Osprey, during a fast rope and hoist training as part of exercise Keen Sword 21, at the Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2020. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Spalding), A Japan Self-Defense Forces member, center left, and a 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman, center right, push a containerized delivery system bundle onto a C-130J Super Hercules during Keen Sword 21, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 30, 2020. 15. Inactivated on 25 Mar 1946. EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION 7. 3. U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kirby, commander of 353rd Special Operations Group (SOG) briefs U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) during a visit Nov. 8, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Detachment 1, 43rd Intelligence Squadron 2007 Master of Business Administration, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas EDUCATION 1. Col Michael A. Thomas is currently the Commander, 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan. To commemorate this day RAF Mildenhall hosted Col. Carol Miller, 100th Mission Support Group Commander, Col. Michelle Estes, 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Group Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. February 2008 – June 2010, Instructor Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom 1st Special Operations Squadron(MC-130H Combat Talon II) 2. Download this stock image: U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kirby, commander of 353rd Special Operations Group utilizes the Air Force Special Operations Command Air Rapid Response Kit (ARRK) command and control (C-2) node to conduct a video teleconference with Special Operations Command Pacific leadership Nov. 2, 2017, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Jul 2018 – Jul 2019, Student, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy During their visit, Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel and Chief Master Sgt. KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Key players for the 353rd Special Operations Group change of command ceremony look over the script before the event here June 8. From left are: Maj. Gen. Donald Wurster, Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander; Col. David Mullins, incoming 353rd SOG commander; and Col. Ray Chapman, outgoing commander. The 353rd Special Operations Group is an operational unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Air Force Special Operations Command commander along with the AFSOC command chief visited here Sept. 6 to get a closer look at the special operations mission in the Pacific. Keen Sword is a training opportunity between JSDF and the U.S. military across a variety of scenarios, allowing the enhancement of interoperability of U.S. and Japanese forces. Prior to this assignment, Col Thomas was a student at the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy where he focused his industry study on space and counter space. Navy Achievement Medal Download this stock image: 353rd Special Operations Group commander Col. William Freeman delivers his outbound speech during a change of command ceremony July 19, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. A new commander for the Air Commandos of the Pacific accepted the responsibility to lead the 353rd Special Operations Group into the future June 8. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brieana E. Bolfing), Members with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) watch as their teammates are hoisted into a CV-22 Osprey, during a fast rope and hoist training as part of exercise Keen Sword 21, at the Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2020. Air Medal w 1 OLC June 2013 – April 2015, Director of Operations, 352d Special Operations Support Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kirby, commander of 353rd Special Operations Group (SOG) briefs U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of Special ⦠2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence Over 20,000 personnel work at the base. During an Airmen all-call Nov. 7, Webb described readiness, relevance and resiliency as the âthree Rsâ of the AFSOC priorities and expressed the success of the 353rd SOG in all three areas. After a 25-year absence, the 353rd SOG returned to New Zealand in 2014 to build-up the relationship with RNZAF 40th Squadron. The unit was assigned to Fifth Air Force in the Philippines in 1944 for operations with North American P-51 Mustangs, Douglas C-47 Skytrains, and Stinson L-5 ⦠Group training exercises between the flying, maintenance , and support units of the 353rd Special Operations Group ensure the multifunctional abilities of Pacific Air Commandos. Aerial Achievement Medal AFSOC commander visits the 353rd SOG . Located in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan is Kadena AB, home of the largest combat wing in the USAF, the 18th Wing . 5. Under operational control of the commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, the 353 SOG plans and executes general war and contingency operations using advanced aircraft, tactics and techniques to infiltrate, exfiltrate, resupply and support special operations forces. Meritorious Service Medal w 3 OLC On the Cover. 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