Col. Michael S. Pontius is the commander of the 307th Operations Group, 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Tasked alongside active associate partners, the 307th OG is responsible to execute all USAF B-52H formal training. Additionally, through classic associations, the unit provides combat-ready B-52H Stratofortress aircrew, maintenance personnel and combat support to execute nuclear and conventional global operational taskings. As commander, Col. Pontius directs the activities of the 307th Operations Support Squadron, the B-52 Formal Training Unit, comprised of the associated 93rd and 11th Bomb Squadrons, and the 343rd Bomb Squadron, AFRC’s only nuclear-tasked strategic bomber unit.
Col. Pontius grew up in Minnesota and earned his commission upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001. He served on active duty as a B-52 instructor pilot and mission commander before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve in 2022. He is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flight hours to his credit. He has deployed multiple times in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science degree, Mechanical Engineering, US Air Force Academy, Co.
2007 Squadron Officer School, correspondence/residence Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2010 Master’s Degree in Business Administration, TUI University, Ca.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, seminar/residence Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2021 Air War College, by correspondence, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2001-December 2001, Testing Assistant and Boxing Coach, US Air Force Academy, Co.
2. February 2002-February 2003, student pilot, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. February 2003-January 2004, B-52 training, Barksdale AFB, La.
4. January 2004-November 2007, B-52 pilot, 23rd Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
5. November 2007-December 2009, B-52 instructor pilot, flight commander of Weapons and Tactics, 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
6. December 2009-May 2011, B-52 instructor pilot, chief of conventional plans and exercises, flight commander Strategic Plans and Operations, Barksdale AFB, La.
7. May 2011-July 2012, Executive Officer, Director of Operations (A3), Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
8. Aug 2012-Jun 2013, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. July 2013-June 2014, Chief, Master Air Attack Plan, 608th Air and Space Operations Center, Barksdale AFB, La.
10. July 2014-March 2016, Chief, Standoff Munitions Application Center, Barksdale AFB, La.
11. March 2016-March 2017, Director of Operations, 340th Weapons Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
12. March 2017-January 2018, Commander, 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Buehring, Kuwait
13. January 2018-July 2020, Division Chief, Lessons Learned, Innovation & Mission Enhancement, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.
14. July 2020-Present, Chief, Bomber Operations Inspections, Inspector General, Air Force Global Strike Command,Barksdale AFB, La.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,700
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, B-52H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal, 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, 5 oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal, one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal, one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service, five oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with star
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major April 30, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2016
Colonel July 1, 2022
(Current as of May 2022)