Colonel Nathan J. Powell is the commander of the 374th Operations Group, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. He is responsible for the combat readiness of three operational squadrons employing the Yokota airfield complex and twenty-one C-130J, C-12J, and UH-1N aircraft all in support of intratheater airlift, operational support airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and search and rescue missions across the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Powell was Chief, Strategic Competition Division, for Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Colonel Powell received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2002. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours in the C-130. He has flown repatriation missions in Southeast Asia, humanitarian assistance missions in Myanmar, and combat missions in operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQ FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE. Additionally, he served as the Mission Planning Cell Chief, responsible for the planning and conduct of airdrop missions that initiated Operation INHERENT RESOLVE; and subsequently advised and assisted the Iraqi Air Force, developing their country’s initial airdrop capability, culminating in Iraq’s first-ever combat airdrop.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, English, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2009 Masters of Business Administration, Finance, TUI University, Calif.
2010 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2016 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENT/SERVICE HISTORY
1. 2002 - 2003 Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2. 2004 - 2007 Aircraft Commander, 41st Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
3. 2007 - 2010 Instructor Pilot, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
4. 2010 - 2012 Evaluator Pilot, 314th Operations Group, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. 2012 - 2014 Deputy Panel Chairman, Personnel and Training Panel, Hqs U.S. Air Force, Pentagon,
Washington, D.C.
6. 2014 - 2015 Chief, General Officer Training and Development, General’s Group, Hqs U.S. Air Force Pentagon,
Washington D.C.
7. 2015 - 2016 Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. 2016 - 2018 Military Assistant, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Arlington, Va.
9. 2018 - 2019 Commander, 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
10. 2019 - 2021 Deputy Group Commander, 19th Operations Group, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
11. 2021 - 2024 Division Chief, Strategic Competition, Hqs U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
12. 2024 - Present, Commander, 374th Operations Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
2016 - 2018 Military Assistant, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Arlington, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 2,700
Aircraft Flown: C-130E/H/J
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
Captain May 29, 2006
Major Apr 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Mar 1, 2017
Colonel Sep 1, 2023
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATION
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER AWARDS AND HONORS
2011 William G. Moore Trophy – AMC RODEO winner
(Current as of Mar 2025)