Col. Robert Kochan is the Commander of the 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Col. Kochan leads a group of more than 620 dedicated military and civilian personnel who maintain and employ more than six billion dollars’ worth of United States Protection Level-1 assets in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s strike mission.
Col. Kochan grew up in Michigan and entered the Air Force in January 1993. He began his enlisted career as a Security Forces member, gaining his Commission in December 2002 through Officer Training School and beginning his career in the Missile and Munitions Maintenance. During his over-31 year career, he has held numerous positions across the conventional, nuclear, and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile munitions mission sets. Prior to his current position, Col Kochan served as Munitions Division Chief to Air Combat Command, Directorate of Logistics, Headquarters Air Combat Command. Within this role, he was responsible for readying weapon systems in executing MAJCOM logistics and effectively organizing, training, and equipping all weapons and munitions functions across Air Combat Command.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Arts, Excelsior College, Albany, New York
2003 Missile Maintenance Officer Course, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
2004 Master of Business Administration, National University, San Diego, California
2009 USAF Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012 Air Command and Staff College, via correspondence
2014 Conventional Munitions Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2018 Air War College, via correspondence
2023 Professional Military Education-II, The Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Norfolk, Virginia
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1993 – February 1993, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. February 1993 – May 1993, Security Forces Tech Training, Lackland AFB, Texas & Fort Dix Army Base, New Jersey
3. May 1993 – January 2001, Security Forces Member, Yokota AB, Japan
4. January 2001 – September 2002, Air Base Defense Instructor (PACAF Regional Training Center), Osan AB, Korea
5. September 2002 – December 2002, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
6. January 2003 – February 2006, Officer in Charge, Reentry System Maintenance, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
7. February 2006 – July 2009, Flight Commander, 701st Munitions Support Squadron, Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium
8. July 2009 – June 2012, Staff Officer, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
9. June 2012 – June 2014, Director of Operations, 701st Munitions Support Squadron, Kleine Brogel AB, Belgium
10. June 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 31st Munitions Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
11. June 2016 – June 2018, Commander, 51st Munitions Squadron, Osan AB, Korea
12. June 2018 – June 2020, Commander, 702d Munitions Support Squadron, Büchel AB, Germany
13. June 2020 – June 2023, Chief, Nuclear Surety and Policy Branch, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany
14. June 2023 – June 2024, Division Chief, ACC Munitions Division, Directorate of Logistics, Langley AFB, Virginia
15. June 2024 – Present, Commander, 52d Munitions Maintenance Group, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2020 – June 2023, Chief, Nuclear Surety & Policy Branch, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany, as a lieutenant colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Korean Service Defense Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with ‘N’ device and five oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 Headquarters, United States Air Force Nuclear Deterrence Operations Field Grade Officer of the Year
2015 Headquarters, United States Air Force Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Field Grade Officer of the Year
2016 Headquarters, United States Air Force Nuclear Deterrence Operations Field Grade Officer of the Year
(Current as of July 2024)