Colonel Carey Jones

Colonel Carey J. Jones is the Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 20, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. She is responsible for the formal training and education of over 110 officer candidates and serves on the University of Arizona faculty as Professor of Aerospace Studies.

Colonel Jones was commissioned in 1996 as a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has served in multiple operational and training assignments in the F-15C and F-15E, including performing duties as an Aggressor, operations officer, and squadron commander for the unit responsible for producing all Air Force tactics, techniques, and procedures. She is also a joint-qualified officer and grand strategist, previously serving as the Strategy Division Chief for USAFE-AFAFRICA and as the Director of Training and Education in the Joint Functional Component Command-Integrated Missile Defense. Col Jones has participated in multiple contingencies, including Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NOBLE EAGLE.  Prior to this assignment, she served as the 47th Flying Training Wing Vice Commander and the Operations Group Commander at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.

EDUCATION

1996   Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NC

2001   Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL

2009   Masters in Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, AL (Distinguished Graduate)

2015   Masters in Strategic Studies (Grand Strategy), Air War College, AL (Academic Distinction)

ASSIGNMENTS

October 1996 – March 1998, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Pensacola NAS, FL
April 1998 – December 1998, Distinguished Graduate, F-15E Flying Training, 333rd FS, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
January 1999 – December 2002, Weapons Systems Officer, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
December 2002 – June 2004, Distinguished Graduate, Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
June 2004 – February 2005, F-15C Student, 2d Fighter Training Squadron, Tyndall AFB, FL
March 2005 – July 2008, Assistant Director of Operations, 19th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, AK
August 2008 – May 2009, Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
June 2009 – May 2011, F-35 PEM/Branch Chief, A8F, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
May 2011 – November 2011, Deputy Shift Director, Joint Operations Center, CJTF-1, Bagram AB, Afghanistan
November 2011 – June 2014, Director of Operations/Commander, 561st Joint Tactics Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV
July 2014 – May 2015, Academic Distinction, Grand Strategy Seminar, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
June 2015 – July 2017, J7 Director of Training and Exercises, JFCC IMD, Schriever AFB, CO
July 2017 – November 2018, Strategy Division Chief, 603d AOC, Ramstein AB, Germany
November 2018 – July 2020, Operations Group Commander, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, TX
July 2020 – June 2021, Vice Wing Commander, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, TX
July 2021 – present, Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Det 20, University of Arizona, AZ

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

June 2015 – July 2017, Director, J7 Training and Exercises, Joint Functional Component Command-Integrated Missile Defense, as a Lieutenant Colonel

Rating: Senior Pilot

Flight Hours: 2,281

Aircraft Flown: F-15C/D, F-15E, T-38C

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Commendation Medal Air Air Force Commendation Medal