Col Steven Campbell is the Commander, 601 Air Operations Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The 601 AOC plans, directs, and assesses air and space operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Northern Command. The AOC provides aerospace warning and control for NORAD Defensive Counter Air activities, as well as directing Air Force air and space capabilities in support of USNORTHCOM homeland security and civil support missions. The 601 AOC fills the critical need meeting the challenge of directing all air sovereignty activities for the continental United States and is the new-age combat weapon system needed to fulfill the crucial defense role by remaining vigilant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Col Campbell enlisted the Air Force in June 1997 and commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 2001, following his graduation from Eastern Kentucky University. He completed C-130 formal training in February 2003. Col Campbell served as the 156 Operations Group Commander, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, 123 Contingency Response Squadron Commander, Kentucky Air National Guard and is a Weapons Instructor Course graduate. Prior to assuming his current position, Col Campbell served as the Chief of Staff, First Air Force, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
Col Campbell is a C-130 evaluator pilot with over 3,000 hours flying combat, combat support, and humanitarian relief operations worldwide including Operations CORONET OAK, JOINT FORGE, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
2000 Associate Degree, Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force
2000 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Administration, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky
2006 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2009 Weapons Instructor Course Graduate, Nellis AFB, Nevada
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell, AFB, Alabama
2013 Master of Science in Aviation Safety, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
2016 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell, AFB, Alabama
2022 Directory of Mobility Forces Course, Hurlburt Field, Florida
2022 Defense Support of Civil Authorities 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado
2024 Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, Fort Carson, Colorado
2024 Dual Status Commander Orientation Course, Colorado Springs, Colorado
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1998 - March 2001, Dedicated Crew Chief, 123 Aircraft Generation Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Ky.
2. March 2001 - June 2001, Student, Academy of Military Science, McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
3. June 2001 - July 2002, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
4. August 2002 - February 2003, Student, C-130 Formal Training Unit, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
5. March 2003 - June 2009, C-130 Pilot, 165 Airlift Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Ky.
6. July 2009 - December 2009, Student, Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 2010 - June 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 123 Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Ky.
8. July 2011 - July 2012, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. August 2012 - May 2015, Chief of Safety, 123 Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard Base, Ky.
10. June 2015 - May 2016, Student, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
11. June 2016 - November 2016, Chief of Safety, 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky ANG
12. December 2016 - December 2020, Commander, Global Mobility Squadron, 123 Contingency Response Group, Ky.
13. January 2021 - November 2022, 156 Operations Group Commander, 156 Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, Pr.
14. November 2022 - February 2025, Chief of Staff, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region (CONR) - 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern and Air Forces Space), Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
15. February 2025 - Present, Commander, 601 Air Operations Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,000
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-1, C-130E/H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with valor
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with device
Kosovo Campaign Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with device Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with device
(Current as of February 2025)