LIEUTENANT COLONEL AMY D. BATES
SQUADRON COMMANDER
Lt Col Amy D. Bates is the Commander, 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Stewart, Georgia. As Commander, she is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and employing tactical air control party personnel worldwide to support Combatant Commander Objectives. The Squadron, aligned with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, is comprised of over 120 Airmen, civilians, and contractors.
Lt Col Bates entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2004 after receiving a degree in Exercise Science from The University of Tampa. She is a Senior Air Battle Manager with over 2200 hours on the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System. She has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Prior to her current assignment, she was the Director of Operations at the 6th Combat Training Squadron.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL 2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2012 Master of Military Operational Arts & Sciences, Air University
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL (by correspondence)
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL (by correspondence)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2004 – Aug 2004: Detachment 158 Assistant Recruiting Officer, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
2. Apr 2005 – Apr 2006: Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager, Tyndall AFB, FL
3. Apr 2006 – Jun 2008: Air Weapons Officer, Unit Deployment Officer, 128 ACCS, Robins AFB, GA
4. Jun 2008 – Apr 2009: Instructor Air Weapons Officer, Security Manager, 330 CTS, Robins AFB, GA
5. Apr 2009 – Dec 2010: Sensor Management Officer, Evaluator Air Weapons Officer, Assistant Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 330 CTS, Robins AFB, GA
6. Dec 2010 – Mar 2011: Flight Commander, Air Liaison Officer, USAFE Air Ground Operations School, Einsiedlerhof AS, Germany
7. Mar 2011 – Dec 2013: Executive Officer, Warrior Preparation Center, Einsiedlerhof AS, Germany
8. Dec 2013 – Jul 2014: Senior Director, Chief of Staff, 16 ACCS, Robins AFB, GA
9. Jul 2014 – May 2016: Mission Crew Commander, Senior Director, Chief of Staff, 16 ACCS, Robins AFB, GA
10. May 2016 – Mar 2017: Instructor Mission Crew Commander, Chief of Wing Scheduling, 461 OSS, Robins AFB, GA
11. Mar 2017 – Jun 2018: Instructor Mission Crew Commander, Wing Executive Officer, 461 ACW, Robins AFB, GA
12. Jun 2018 - Jul 2020: Air Operations Planner, Joint Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons Belgium
13. Jul 2020 – Jun 2022: Director of Operations, 6th Combat Training Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV
14. Jun 2022 – Present: Commander, 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Stewart, GA
Rating: Senior Air Battle Manager
Combat hours: 1,269
Total flight hours: 2,263
Aircraft Flown: E-8C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 7, 2004
First Lieutenant July 5, 2006
Captain July 5, 2008
Major November 1, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2019