Col. Matthew A. Bartlett 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.
Col. Bartlett commissioned in 2000 through AFROTC. A career navigator, he served in multiple humanitarian relief and contingency operations throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia and has commanded at the squadron, group, and wing levels.
Prior to his current assignment, Col. Bartlett was the Commander, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2005 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Master of Aeronautical Science (with Honors), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2012 U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
2019 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy (Distinguished Graduate), National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 2000–February 2001, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
2. February 2001–April 2002, Student, C-130 Navigator Initial and Mission Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Ark. and MC-130P Navigator Mission Qualification, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
3. April 2002–June 2005, MC-130P Nav, Instructor Nav, & Evaluator Nav, 67th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, UK
4. June 2005–December 2005, Student, MC-130 Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev. and Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. January 2006–October 2006, Group MC-130P Stan/Eval Nav, 352nd Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, UK
6. December 2006–August 2010, Weapons Instructor, Flight Commander, and Assistant Operations Officer, 14th Weapons Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
7. September 2010–June 2011, Deputy Branch Chief, HQ AFSOC Mobility Requirements & MC-130J Initial Cadre Combat Systems Officer, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
8. June 2011–June 2012, Student, U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
9. 10. June 2012–August 2013, Special Assistant to the Commander, 415th Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
10. August 2013–June 2014, Program Integration Officer, Special Mission Aviation C-130J Center of Excellence, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
11. June 2014–June 2016, Operations Officer, 17th Special Operations Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan (July 2014–October 2014, Commander, 353rd Expeditionary Special Operations Group & Commander, Joint Special Operations Air Detachment, Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines)
12. June 2016–June 2018, Commander, 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
13. July 2018–June 2019, Student, The Eisenhower School, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
14. June 2019–June 2020, Chief, Force Assessment, Sufficiency, & Readiness Branch, Forces Division, Joint Staff J8, the Pentagon
15. June 2020–May 2021, Deputy Director & Acting Director, Irregular Warfare Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
16. June 2021–May 2022, Commander, 449th Air Expeditionary Group & Director, Air Forces Africa Joint Air Component Coordination Element, Camp Lemonnier, Republic of Djibouti
17. June 2022–June 2023, Vice Commander, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing & Air Expeditionary Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany
18. June 2023–June 2025, Commander, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany
19. June 2025–Present, Deputy Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein AB, Germany
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2014–October 2014, Commander, Joint Special Operations Air Detachment, Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines, as a major
2. June 2019–June 2020, Chief, Force Assessment, Sufficiency, & Readiness Branch, Forces Division, Joint Staff J8, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a lieutenant colonel
3. June 2020–May 2021, Deputy Director & Acting Director, Irregular Warfare Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., as a colonel
4. June 2021–May 2022, Commander, 449th Air Expeditionary Group & Director, Air Forces Africa Joint Air Component Coordination Element, Camp Lemonnier, Republic of Djibouti, as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight Hours: More than 3,200 including more than 430 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: MC-130J, MC-130P, HC-130J, EC-130J, C-130H/J, MH-53, MC-130H, C-130E, T-43A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters