Col. Chad A. Backes is the Deputy Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He is responsible for organizing, training and equipping six groups and 30 squadrons executing worldwide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; electromagnetic spectrum operations; and nuclear command, control and communications support. He is also responsible for support to more than 50 associate units, including U.S. Strategic Command, the 95th Wing, the 557th Weather Wing, and more than 45,000 active-duty members, civilians, family members and retirees.

Col. Backes received his commission in 2003 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at South Dakota State University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Sociology. He attended joint Undergraduate Navigator Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He earned his wings in 2005 as an E-3 AWACS Navigator at Tinker AFB, OK. In 2007 Col Backes cross trained to the RC-135 platform, where he has deployed in support of RIVET JOINT taskings worldwide. His previous responsibilities include serving as the A3 Director of Staff at Air Combat Command. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Backes was enrolled in a 10-month program at Naval War College designed to educate and inform decision-makers and engage with both allies and partners to preserve peace, respond to crisis, and decisively win wars.

Col. Backes is a Master Navigator with more than 2,900 flying hours, including 542 combat hours in the RC-135S/U/V/W & E-3 AWACS Mission Design Series.

EDUCATION

2003  Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, South Dakota State University

2003  Aerospace Basic Course, Residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2005  Squadron Officer School, Correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2009  Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2010  Masters with Distinction, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

2012  Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2015  Air Command and Staff College, Residence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2016  Joint Force Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Norfolk, Va.

2019  Air War College, Correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2025  Naval War College, Residence, Newport Naval Station, RI

ASSIGNMENTS

1.  March 2004 – March 2005, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas

2.  March 2005 – June 2005, Student Navigator, 552d Flying Training Squadron, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

3.  June 2005 – December 2006, E-3 Navigator, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan

4.  December 2007 – June 2008, RC-135 Student Navigator, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

5.  June 2008 – December 2009, Flight Commander, 343d Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

6.  December 2009 – May 2011, Chief of Scheduling, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

7.  June 2011 – June 2012, Evaluator Navigator, Group Executive Officer, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

8.  May 2012 – May 2013, Evaluator Navigator, 55 WG Executive Officer, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

9.  June 2013 – June 2014, Evaluator Navigator, 38 RS Assistant Director of Operations, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

10.  June 2014 – June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

11.  June 2015 – June 2017, Branch Chief, Global Force Management, Joint Functional Component Command –

Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

12.  June 2017 - July 2018, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for ISR Operations, (J32) Joint Staff,

Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

13.  December 2018 – December 2019, Director of Operations, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

14.  May 2020 - May 2022 – Commander, 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska

15.  May 2022 – June 2024 – Director of Staff, Air Combat Command, A3, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia

16. June 2024 – June 2025, Student, Naval War College, Newport Naval Station, Rhode Island

16. June 2025 - Present, Deputy Commander, 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, Neb.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Aerial Achievement Medal one oak leave cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Unit Award with 4 oak leaf clusters

AF Outstanding Unit Award with 2 oak leaf clusters

Combat Readiness Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

AF Overseas Ribbon Long

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 2 oak leaf clusters

(Current as of June 2025)