Col Jason N. Gingrich is the Deputy Commander, Air Forces Space, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. He synchronizes the planning, training, and execution of air component resources in support of air, space, and information operations for U.S. Space Command. He oversees the planning and execution of contingency operations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) human space flight programs and ensures Department of Defense personnel are properly trained for the rescue, recovery, and retrieval of NASA sponsored astronauts and equipment.
Col Gingrich received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corp program at Pennsylvania State University in 1997. He served in a variety of positions in Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Pacific Air Forces as an instructor and evaluator pilot. Additionally, he served as the branch chief for vertical lift acquisitions on the Headquarters Air Force Staff and was the Senior Military Advisor to the Ambassador to the United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Prior to his current assignment, he commanded the Wing at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey supporting operations in U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command.
Col Gingrich is a command pilot with 2,500 flying hours and 170 combat hours in the HH-60G. He has deployed to and flown in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE, ATLAS GUARDIAN, North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Resolute Support Mission, and U.S. Africa Command operations.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2009 Masters of Science in Environmental Policy and Management, American Military University, West Virginia
2010 Masters of Science in Military Arts and Science, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Virginia
2012 Air War College, by correspondence
2016 Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Rhode Island
2017 Senior Leader Transnational Issues Seminar, Washington, D.C.
2021 Senior Leader Security Seminar, Dahlgren, Virginia
2023 Space Executive Course, National Security Space Institute, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
2023 Air Component Senior Leader Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1998-October 1998, Officer in Charge of Squadron Operations Center, 9th Airlift Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del.
2. October 1998-June 1999, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
3. June 1999-March 2000, Specialized Undergraduate Helicopter Pilot Training, Fort Rucker, Ala.
4. March 2000-October 2000, Formal Training Unit-HH-60G, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
5. October 2000-May 2002, Resource Advisor, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
6. May 2002-May 2003, Chief of Current Operations, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
7. May 2003-March 2005, Chief of Plans and Exercises, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
8. March 2005-June 2006, Chief of Training, 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
9. June 2006-August 2007, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
10. August 2007-June 2008, Flight Commander, 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
11. June 2008-August 2009, Assistant Director of Operations, 33rd Rescue Squadron Kadena AB, Japan
12. August 2009-June 2010, Student, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va.
13. June 2010-June 2012, Special Operations Forces/Combat Search and Rescue Branch Chief, Global Reach Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
14. June 2012-June 2013, Director of Operations, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
15. June 2013-August 2015, Commander, 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
16. August 2015-August 2016, Student, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
17. August 2016-July 2018, Commander, 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, Ga.
18. July 2018-July 2021, Senior Military Advisor, Office of the Defense Advisor, US Mission to North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium
19. July 2021-June 2022, Commander, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik AB, Turkey
20. July 2022-Present, Deputy 1st Air Force/Air Forces Space, 1st Air Force, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot Flight Hours: more than 2,500 Aircraft Flown: HH-60G, HH-60F, HH-60H, UH-60M, HH-60W, EC-155, AS-332, HC-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Action Medal
(Current as of June 2024)