Colonel Michael Pontius, 307th Operations Group commander

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)