Colonel STACIE L. BORTZ Col Stacie L. Bortz is the Commander, Air Commando Development Center (ACDC), Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL. The ACDC is the focal point for Special Operations Forces operational and professional development, as well as certification, validation, and verification for all AFSOC units of action. As a proponent for AFSOC’s force development, the ACDC champions training, education, and exercise development to conduct special operations mission across the spectrum of conflict. Col Bortz received her commission in 2003 through Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL. After commissioning, she attended Navigator training at Randolph AFB, San Antonio, TX. Following Navigator training, she chose the route of an Electronic Warfare Officer on the MC-130H, Combat Talon II. In 2020, Col Bortz transitioned to the MC-130J Commando II and is now a Combat Systems Officer. Finally, Col Bortz served in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, UNIFIED RESPONSE, and INHERENT RESOLVE, the Colombian hostage rescue and counter-narcotics/terrorism campaigns, and multiple humanitarian relief and contingency operations throughout Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East. EDUCATION 1998 Mercyhurst College, Bachelor of Science, Human Ecology, Minor in Elementary Education, Erie, Pa. 2002 University of Edinboro of Pennsylvania, Master of Education, Middle and Secondary Education, Edinboro, Pa. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2017 Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. 2022 Air War College, in-correspondence ASSIGNMENTS 1. January 2003 – April 2003, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2. April 2003 – October 2004, Undergraduate Student Navigator Training, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 3. October 2004 – May 2005, Student, MC-130H initial course, Kirtland AFB, N.M. 4. May 2005 – February 2008, Training Officer, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 5. February 2008 – May 2010, MC-130H Standardization and Evaluations Officer, 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 6. May 2010 – November 2010, Chief of Squadron Training, 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan 7. November 2010 – July 2012, Executive Officer, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan 8. July 2012 – June 2013, Chief of Squadron Standardization and Evaluations, 15th Special Operations Squadron Hurlburt Field, Fla. 9. June 2013 – October 2013, Chief of Group Current Operations, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 10. October 2013 – October 2014, Senior Duty Officer, 1st Special Operations Air Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla 11. October 2014 – July 2015, Assistant Operations Officer, Force Management Directorate, 1st Special Operations Air Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 12. July 2015 – July 2016, Chief of MC-130H Aircrew Training, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 13. July 2016 – June 2017, Student, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. 14. July 2017 – July 2018, Director Plans, Strategy, and Policy, Special Operations Command-Korea, Camp Kim, US Army Garrison-Yongsan, South Korea 15. July 2018 – July 2019, Director Special Staff / Commander’s Action Group, Special Operations Command-Korea, Camp Humphreys, US Army Garrison-Humphreys, South Korea 16. July 2019 – April 2020, Chief of Safety, 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan 17. April 2020 – May 2021, Operations Officer, 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan 18. May 2021 – December 2022, Commander, 353d Special Operations Support Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan 19. December 2022 – July 2023, Deputy Commander, 353d Special Operations Wing, Kadena AB, Japan 20. July 2023 – June 2024, Director, Commander’s Action Group, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 21. June 2024 – Present, Commander, Air Commando Development Center, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Master Navigator Flight hours: More than 2,700, including over 500 combat hours Aircraft flown: MC-130J, MC-130H, T-43 MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal award with eight oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Force Achievement Medal Air Force Combat Action Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars Korean Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal NATO Medal (Current as of November 2024)