COLONEL DOUGLAS W. DONNELL UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Colonel Douglass W. Donnell is retired and resides in Reston, Virginia.

Colonel Donnell received his commission through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s AFROTC program in July of 1972. After completing the Basic Communications Electronic Officer Course at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, as a distinguished graduate, he was assigned as a communications officer in March 1973 then later became Chief of Operations for the 2019th Communications Squadron, Griffiss AFB, NY. In January 1975, he reported for duty as the Chief of Operations for the 1985th Communications Squadron, U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield, Thailand. In February 1976, Col. Donnell began an assignment with the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Lindsey AS, Wiesbaden, Germany. During this time the unit received the McClellan Award as the best communications unit in the Air Force. Col Donnell returned to Keesler AFB, MS, in October 1980 to attend the Telecommunications Sytem Staff Officer Course, finishing the school as a distinguished graduate in Jun 1981. He was then assigned to the Tactical Operations Division at Headquarters, Air Force Communications Command, Scott AFB, IL. In January 1984, he reported to the Directorate of Logistics Plans and Programs, Headquarters, US Air Force, Pentagon, where he was responsible for planning, programming, and executing the Air Force’s $21.5 billion communications- electronics procurement budget. Subsequently, he assumed command of the 2192nd Communications Squadron, Loring AFB, ME, in July 1988. During his command, the unit received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and was awarded Ruppertsweiler, Germany, where he commanded NATO’s multi-national 4th Allied Tactical Air Force Signal Group. In September 1993, Col Donnell became the first commander of the Allied Air Forces Central Europe Pentagon in July 1995, serving in the Chief National Military Command Center (NMCC) Operations and Systems Division, in the operations Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During this tour he also frequently served as the Deputy Director for Operations (NMCC), heading the Defense Department’s nuclear strategic and current operations watch team. In July 1999, he was assigned to the Air Force Communications and Information Center, the Pentagon, as Chief Operations Division in the Systems Directorate, and later became Deputy Director of Systems, DCS, for Communications and Information, Headquarters, US Air Force. Colonel Donnell retired in September of 2001.

EDUCATION: 1968 Graduate of Bellevue High School, Nebraska 1972 Bachelors Degree in Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 1975 Masters Degree in Teleprocessing Science, University of Southern Mississippi 1983 Air Command and Staff College 1987 National Security Management, National Defense University

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters Air Force Commendation Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

EFFECTIVE PROMOTION DATES: Second Lieutenant July 12, 1972 First Lieutenant August 12, 1974 Captain August 12, 1976 Major May 1, 1984 Lieutenant Colonel January 1, 1989 Colonel September 1, 1994