Colonel Aaron Dunn is Deputy Commander 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township New Jersey, New Jersey Air National Guard. In conjunction with the Wing Commander, he oversees nearly 1200 airmen and 20(+) F-16 Fighter Aircraft. The wing is responsible for 24/7, 365 alert response in Eastern Air Defense Sector for NORAD/NORTHCOM. Additionally, they provide combat effective airmen to Air Combat Command, enabling the Department of Defense to meet its worldwide missions advancing the national interest of the United States. Also, through 15 subordinate commands they provide multi-capable airmen to the governor of New Jersey to respond to domestic operations, natural disasters, or contingency requirements.
Col. Dunn entered the Air Force in May of 1996 through the Air Force ROTC program at Norwich University completing a Bachelor of Arts in History. He completed Air Force Technical Schools in August of 1996 (Basic Personnel Officer Course) and May of 2002 (Logistics Plans Officer Course). He is graduate of Air Command and Staff College with a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Science as well as completing Air War College.
Col. Dunn has served in a variety of command, staff and deployed positions to include serving both in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has served as the Commander of the 177th Mission Support Group and the 108th Logistics Readiness Squadron. His staff positions include PACOM (SOCPAC J4), Headquarters Air Force A4/7, 13th Air Force, and HQ Air Mobility Command’s Tanker Airlift Control Center. He has also served in a variety of countries in support of contingencies or exercises to include Thailand, The Republic of Georgia, Cambodia, Singapore and the Republic of Korea. He has also responded to and supported Domestic Operations for Hurricane Sandy, COVID-19, and Capital Response (post January 6th).
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Arts, History, Norwich University, Vermont
2002 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Masters in Military Operational Art and Science Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2024 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard Kennedy School, Massachusetts
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
- August 1996 - March 1999, Chief, Customer Support, 18th Mission Support Squadron and Squadron Section Commander, 909th Air Refueling Squadron Kadena Air Base, Japan
- April 1999 - June 2002, Contingency and Exercise Director, Pacific Division and Executive Officer to the Director of Global Readiness, Tanker Airlift Control Center, Scott AFB, IL
- July 2002 - July 2004, Deputy Flight Commander Readiness and Flight Commander Management and Systems, 39 Logistics Readiness Squadron, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
- August 2004 – August 2006, Deputy Division Chief, Logistics Operations, 13th Air Force and Operations Officer 36 Logistics Readiness Squadron, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam
- September 2006 - July 2010, Chief, Deployment Planning and Execution and special duty as an Action Officer for the Nuclear Logistics Surety Team, Directorate of Logistics & Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C
- August 2010 – November 2011 Logistics Planner, Directorate of Logistics Special Operations Command Pacific, Headquarters Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI
- April 2012 – October 2018, Operations Officer and Commander, 108th Logistics Readiness Squadron, NJANG, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
- October 2018 – February 2019, Wing Inspector General, 108th Wing, NJANG Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
- February 2019 – May 2022, Commander, 177th Mission Support Group, NJANG, Atlantic City, NJ
- June 2022 – present, 177th Fighter Wing, Vice Commander, Atlantic City, NJ
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2009 – April 2010, Force Flow Planner, Directorate of Operations, United States Force Afghanistan (USFOR-A) J3, New Kabul Compound, Kabul Afghanistan
2. August 2010 – November 2011 Logistics Planner, Directorate of Logistics Special Operations Command Pacific, Headquarters Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 11, 1996
First Lieutenant May 29, 1998
Captain May 29, 2000
Major June 1, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 2013
Colonel Sept. 30, 2020
(Current as of July 2024)