Lt. Col. Jonathan B. Vaage is the Deputy Commander, Air Commando Development Center (ACDC), Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), 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.
Lt. Col. Vaage is originally from Stanley, North Dakota and received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2007. Following pilot training, he served in several special operations operational positions at the wing, group, and squadron levels and on staff for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force. Prior to his current position, Lieutenant Colonel Vaage served as the Commander, 98th Flying Training Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, CO and as the Deputy Inspector General for Air Force Special Operations Command.
Lt. Col. Vaage is a command pilot with more than 3600 flight hours. He has served as an aircraft commander, instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, and weapons officer in multiple special operations aircraft. He has flown combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq and twice commanded in the role of deployed mission commander.
EDUCATION
2007 Bachelor of Science in History, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
2007 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2008 Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, TX
2010 Joint Fires Warfare Course, Nellis Air Force Base, NV
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2014 Master of Arts in English Literature, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
2015 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, NV
2021 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2022 Joint Air Operations Planning Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2022 Leader Development Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2022 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2007 – May 2008, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 8th Flying Training Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, OK.
2. May 2008 – December 2008, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, TX.
3. December 2008 – August 2009, Student, C-130 Initial Qualification Training, 62d Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, AR.
4. August 2009 – April 2010, Student, MC-130W Mission Qualification Training, 551st Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
5. May 2010 – April 2011, MC-130W Pilot, Assistant Director of Staff, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
6. April 2011 – December 2012, AC-130W Pilot, Executive Officer, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
7. December 2012 – June 2014, AC-130W Aircraft Commander, Flight Commander, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
8. June 2014 – January 2015, AC-130W Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
9. January 2015 – June 2015, Student, United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, NV.
10. June 2015 – October 2015, AC-130W Instructor Pilot, Chief of Tactics, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
11. October 2015 – May 2016, AC-130W Instructor Pilot, Branch Chief of Tactical Training, 27th Special Operations Group, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
12. May 2016 – April 2017, AC-130W Evaluator Pilot, Branch Chief of Strike Tactics, 27th Special Operations Group, Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
13. April 2017 – May 2019, Chief of Tactics, Data Masked.
14. May 2019 – July 2020, Assistant Director of Operations, Data Masked.
15. July 2020 – May 2021, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
16. June 2021 – July 2022, Mobility and Special Operations Planner/Programmer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, VA.
17. July 2022 – June 2023, Deputy Exercise Branch Chief, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, VA.
18. June 2023 – August 2024, UV-18B Pilot, Director of Operations, 98th Flying Training Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, CO.
19. August 2024 – April 2026, UV-18B Instructor Pilot, Commander, 98th Flying Training Squadron, United States Air Force Academy, CO.
20. April 2026 – July 2026, Deputy Inspector General, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL.
21. July 2026 – Present, Deputy Commander, Air Commando Development Center, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 3600, including over 1500 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: T-6A, T-44A, C-130E/H, MC-130W, AC-130W, AC-130U, AC-130J, UV-18B, Various fixed-wing turboprop aircraft
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with thirteen oak leaf clusters and “C” device
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four bronze stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Longevity Service
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze star
Air and Space Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
(Current as of June 2026)