Col. Derrick Vincent is the Commander of the 52d Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, which ensures the suppression of enemy air defenses, deters aggression with combat-ready airmen, develops strategic partnerships and capabilities, and demonstrates commitment to our NATO Allies through presence and readiness.
Col. Vincent received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2001 and is a career F-16 pilot who has served in multiple positions including commander of the 54th Operations Support Squadron and 54th Training Squadron. He also led the 353d Combat Training Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska and 388th Operations Support Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah as Director of Operations. Prior to his current position, Col. Vincent was the Division Chief of Joint Fires at United States European Command, Patch Barracks, Germany.
Col. Vincent is a Command Pilot with over 2,200 hours in the F-16, including 235 combat hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTIEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science Degree, Biochemistry, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
2006 Flight Safety Officers Course, Kirkland Air Force Base, New Mexico
2007 Fighter Electronic Combat Officer Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2012 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2012 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida
2019 Air Warfare College, by correspondence
2022 Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, United States Naval War College, Rhode Island
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2001 – October 2001, Casual Status, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
2. October 2001 – July 2002, Student, Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Florida
3. July 2002 – June 2003, Student, Joint Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
4. June 2003 – April 2004, Student, F-16 Formal Training Unit, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
5. April 2004 – May 2005, Assistant Chief of Weapons, 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
6. May 2005 – April 2008, Assistant Chief of Training, Chief of Flight Safety, Chief of Scheduling, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
7. April 2008 – July 2010, Chief of Scheduling, Flight Commander, 310th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
8. July 2010 – November 2011, Chief of Programmed Flying Training, 56th Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
9. November 2011 – March 2013, Assistant Director of Operations, Hill Air Force Base, Utah (deployed October 2012 – January 2013 as Director of Operations, 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, in support of Theater Support Package)
10. March 2013 – December 2013, Director of Staff, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
11. December 2013 – May 2015, Director of Operations, 388th Operations Support Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah (deployed October 2014 – May 2015 as Director of Operations, 455th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTIEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT)
12. May 2015 – December 2016, Director of Staff, 353d Combat Training Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
13. December 2016 – June 2017, Chief of Safety, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
14. June 2017 – October 2018, Commander, 54th Operations Support Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
15. October 2018 – June 2019, Commander, 54th Training Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
16. June 2019 – June 2021, Deputy Group Commander, 31st Operations Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy
17. June 2021 – July 2022, Student, United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
18. June 2022 – June 2024, Division Chief, Joint Fires, United States European Command, Patch Barracks, Germany
19. June 2024 – Present, Commander, 52d Operations Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2022 – June 2024, Division Chief, Joint Fires, United States European Command, Patch Barracks, Germany, as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,400
Aircraft flown: F-16, T-38, T-34
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Staff Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
(Current as of June 2024)