Col. Jeff McMaster serves as Wing Commander, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, where he leads 2,300 Airmen teaching more than 90 courses to over 16,000 students annually. As part of Air Education and Training Command’s 19th Air Force, the wing executes formal aircrew training, producing mission-qualified aircrews for operational units flying CV-22B, HH-60W, UH-1N, A/H/MC-130J, and MH-139 aircraft; conducts Undergraduate Helicopter Training utilizing the TH-1H at Ft. Novosel, Alabama; and operates the USAF’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School at Fairchild AFB, Washington.
Col. McMaster received his commission in May 2002 from Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours and has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. Prior to his current position, Col McMaster was Deputy Commander, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 Master’s Degree, Acquisition and Contract Administration, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Fla.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Master’s Degree, Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2002 – August 2002, Officer Training School Student, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2. August 2002 – May 2003, Student Pilot, 479 Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
3. May 2003 – November 2003, Student Pilot, VT-31, Corpus Christi, Texas
4. November 2003 – December 2004, AC-130H Special Operations Student Pilot, 19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. December 2004 – November 2006, AC-130H Pilot, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. November 2006 – August 2009, AC-130H Instructor Pilot, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
7. August 2009 – June 2011, AC-130H Instructor Pilot / Weapons Officer, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
8. June 2011 – June 2013, Assistant Operations Officer, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
9. June 2013 – December 2014, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
10. January 2015 – June 2017, Executive Officer to the Director of Operations, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.
11. October 2017 – February 2019, Operations Officer, 73rd Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
12. February 2019 – July 2020, Commander, 73rd Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
13. July 2020 – July 2022, Force Development Chief, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
14. July 2022 – May 2023, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. May 2023 – June 2024, Deputy Director, Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
16. June 2024 – June 2026, Deputy Commander, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, N.M.
17. June 2026 – Present, Commander, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 4058
Aircraft Flown: T-6, T-44, AC-130H, AC-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three silver leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
AF Outstanding Unit Award with V device and one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Aug. 16, 2002
First Lieutenant Aug. 16, 2004
Captain Aug. 16, 2006
Major Oct. 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2017
Colonel June 1, 2023
(Current as of July 2026)