Colonel Calvin B. Powell is the Deputy Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Third Air Force issues directives to subordinate commands and takes action on behalf of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Commander, as directed. Third Air Force exercises delegated authorities over assigned forces that include personnel management, General Courts Martial Convening Authority, and advising subordinate commands on requirements, programs, and budget. Third Air Force also works with its subordinate commands to ensure implementation and compliance with relevant policies and directives of the Department of Defense, Headquarters Air Force, and USAFE-AFAFRICA. Additionally, Third Air Force facilitates coordination between its subordinate commands and USAFE-AFAFRICA, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, Defense Department agencies, and other field activities.
Colonel Powell received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1998. He is a Command Pilot with more than 2,500 hours in the MQ-9, MQ-1B, F-15C, T-38, and T-37. Following pilot training, he served two flying assignments in the F-15C and an assignment as an Air Liaison Officer with the 1st Cavalry Division. During this time, he participated in Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Noble Endeavor, and Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Powell then transitioned to the MQ-9 and MQ-1B, flying combat support for Operation Enduring Freedom, and later, was the Commander, 16th Training Squadron, Holloman AFB, New Mexico. He served as the the Senior Executive Officer to the Air Force Director of Operations (A3), as a Senior Fellow at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and as the Chief of Staff for U.S. European Command’s J5/8. Colonel Powell then concurrently served as the Vice Commander for the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing (EUCOM) and 435th Air Expeditionary Wing (AFRICOM).
Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Powell was the Commander, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirilik Air Base, Turkey.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelors of Science, History, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009 Master of Political Science, International Relations, University of Oklahoma, OK
2012 Air Command and Staff College (Distinguished Graduate), Maxwell AFB, AL
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, AL
2013 Air War College, by correspondence
2017 Joint Combined Warfighting School, Joint Forces Staff College, VA
2018 European Security Seminar - South, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany 2018 Senior Fellow, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1998 - March 2000, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX
2. March 2000 - June 2000, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Columbus AFB, MS
3. June 2000 - December 2000, Student, F-15C Replacement Training Unit, Tyndall AFB, FL
4. January 2001 - January 2004, F-15C Flight Lead, 94th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, VA
5. January 2004 - January 2006, Air Liaison Officer/Flight CC, 9th Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft Hood, TX
6. January 2006 - August 2009, F-15C Flight Lead/Director of Staff, 48th Operations Group, RAF Lakenheath, UK
7. August 2009 - November 2009, Student, MQ-9 Formal Training Unit, Holloman AFB, NM
8. December 2009 - June 2011, MQ-9 IP/Combat Team Lead, 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, Creech AFB, NV
9. July 2011 - June 2012, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
10. June 2012 - June 2013, Director of Operations, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
11. July 2013 - June 2015, Commander, 16th Training Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
12. June 2015 - April 2016, Deputy, Total Force Aircrew Management Division, HAF/A3, Washington, D.C.
13. April 2016 - June 2017, Senior Executive Officer, HAF/A3, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
14. June 2017 - July 2018, Senior Fellow, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Germany
15. July 2018 - May 2019, Chief, Central Europe Branch, J5/8, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Germany
16. May 2019 - June 2020, Chief of Staff, J5/8, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Germany
17. June 2020 - June 2022, Vice Commander, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing & 435th Air Expeditionary Wing, Germany
18. June 2022 - June 2023, Commander, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik AB, Turkey
19. July 2023 - Present, Deputy Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein AB, Germany SUMMARY OF
JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2018 - May 2019, Chief, Central Europe Branch, J5/8, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Germany
2. May 2019 - June 2020, Chief of Staff, J5/8, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Germany
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,500
Aircraft flown: MQ-1B, MQ-9, F-15C, T-38, and T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air & Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air & Space Achievement Medal
Air Force Study of Excellence Award