Col Patterson serves as the 188th Mission Support Group Commander. In this role he oversees civil engineering, communications, contracting, force support, logistics readiness, and security forces. The Mission Support Group provides enables wing wide combat readiness and sustainment to operations conducted from Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
He previously commanded the 214th Operations Support Squadron, 162d Wing, Tucson, Arizona, and the 30th Reconnaissance Squadron Detachment 1, 451st Wing, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. Additionally, he served as Chief of Executive Engagements, Office of the Director of the Air National Guard, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Col Patterson received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz where graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He obtained a Master of Arts degree in defense and strategic studies from the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and is a Harvard Kennedy School of Government National Security Fellow.
Col Patterson is a command pilot with over 3,300 hours in the T-37, T-38, B-1B, MQ-1B, RQ-170, and MQ-9A. He has commanded combat missions in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, Resolute Support, and Juniper Shield. He has deployed as a liaison officer to an air operations center and multiple special operations joint task forces. Additionally, Col Patterson has published several papers on topics of defense and ethics through the Air and Space Power Journal, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and Policy.
