Col Melanie L. Olson is the Commander, 55th Electronic Combat Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. She is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping five squadrons of over 855 Airmen to provide combat-ready EC-130H COMPASS CALL aircraft, aircrew, and maintainers for worldwide expeditionary deployment in support of the unified combatant commanders.
Col Olson was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She entered the Air Force in February 1999 through Air Force Officer Training School. She has been assigned to numerous operational and staff positions. Prior to her current position, she was Combat Plans Division Chief, United States Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, NE.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz.
2005 Master of Aeronautical Science, Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Master of Science, Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1.March 1999 – May 1999, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2.June 1999 – September 2000, Student Navigator, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas.
3.October 2000 – March 2002, EC-130H Mission Crew Commander, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
4.March 2002 – August 2002, EC-130H Instructor Mission Crew Commander and Course Manager, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
5.August 2002 – June 2003, EC-130H Mission Crew Commander, Weapons Officer, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
6.June 2003 – November 2004, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Evaluator Electronic Warfare Officer, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
7.November 2004 – November 2005, Group Assistant Weapons and Tactics Commander, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
8.November 2005 – May 2006, Group Weapons and Tactics Commander, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
9.May 2006 – March 2007, Chief of EC-130H Requirements and Instructor Mission Crew Commander, Offutt AFB, Neb.
10.March 2007 – April 2008, Wing Executive Officer, EC-130H Instructor Mission Crew Commander, Offutt AFB, Neb.
11.April 2008 – November 2008, Student Electronic Warfare Officer, RC-135V/W, Offutt AFB, Neb.
12.November 2008 – May 2009, Chief of RC-135V/W Test and Evaluations, Offutt AFB, Neb.
13.May 2009 – June 2010, Assistant Director of Operations and RC-135V/W Electronic Warfare Officer, Offutt AFB, Neb.
14.June 2010 – December 2011, IDE Student, Naval Postgraduate Masters Program, Monterey, Calif.
15.December 2011 – October 2012, Branch Chief, Electronic Warfare Programs, Directorate of Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
16.October 2012 – April 2014, Combat Forces Chief of Integration, Combat Air Forces Division, Directorate of Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
17.April 2014 – February 2015, Director of Operations, 755th Operations Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
18.February 2015 –February 2017, Commander, 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
19.February 2017 – July 2019, Deputy Commander, 55th Electronic Combat Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
20.July 2019 – May 2020, SDE Student, Air University Masters Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
21.June 2020 – June 2022, Chief, Contingency Plans Division, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, Neb.
22.June 2022 - present, Commander, 55th Electronic Combat Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
June 2020 – June 2022, Contingency Plans Division, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, Neb., as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: 2065
Combat hours: 796
Aircraft flown: T-43, EC-130H, and RC-135 V/w
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with "C" device and three oak leaf clusters
(CURRENT AS OF SEPTEMBER 2023)