COL James M. Snowden
Colonel James M. Snowden graduated from the United States Military Academy in June 2002, commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in US Army Aviation. COL Snowden’s military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and US Army War College Fellowship Program. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point and a Master of Arts Degree in Adult Education from Kansas State University.
COL Snowden’s assignments include Attack Platoon Leader and company executive officer in 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment (Attack) in Katterbach, Germany and in 4th Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas; Aide-de-Camp to Commanding General, U.S. Army Combat Readiness and Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama; as well as Commander, A Company, 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
COL Snowden was first assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a platoon leader in B Company, 1-160th. He later served as a Special Mission Unit Liaison Officer, Regiment Force Modernization Officer (RS8), Commander B Company, 2-160th SOAR (Abn.), and finally as Task Force executive officer, 1-160th. COL Snowden’s deployments include multiple combat tours in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, as well as other operations. COL Snowden served two years in a Joint assignment at the United States Special Operations Command. COL Snowden also served as commander, 1-82 Attack Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. COL Snowden’s most recent assignment was battalion commander of Task Force 1-160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).
COL Snowden’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal (numeral 5), Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.