Col Scott A. Zarbo is the Commander, 52nd Mission Support Group, Spangdahlem Air base, Germany. The group’s seven squadrons support United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization missions across 13 countries and 33 locations by providing engineering, communications, contracting, force support, logistics, and air base support options. The group is responsible to improve the well-being of our local community for 4,000 assigned personnel and their families at Spangdahlem Air Base, and more than 5,000 U.S. and Canadians in the northern central European Tri-border area.
Col Zarbo entered the Air Force as a Distinguished Graduate through ROTC at Baylor University in May 2023. During his career as a Logistics Readiness Officer, he has led the spectrum of logistics focused units, including Air Mobility, Aerial Port Contingency Response, and Logistics Readiness Squadrons. He has deployed in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Col Zarbo is a graduate of the Advanced Logistics Readiness Officer Course and Air Mobility Command’s PHOENIX MOBILITY program.
Prior to his current position, Col Zarbo was the Section Head for the Logistics in the Logistics and Resources Division at Headquarters North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, Baylor University, Texas 2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB Ala
2010 Master of Arts, Transportation and Logistics Management, American Military University, VA 2011 Advanced Logistics Readiness Officer Course, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst N.J.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB Ala., by correspondence 2017 Air Force Strategic Policy Fellowship (IDE), Washington D.C.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB ala., by correspondence
2021 Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA 2024 Master of Arts, Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB Ala
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2003 - May 2004, 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla
2. June 2004 - January 2005, Duty Officer, 60th Aerial Port Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
3. January 2005 - August 2005, Flight Commander, Combat Readiness, 60th Aerial Port Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
4. August 2005 - August 2006, Flight Commander, Fleet Services, 60th Aerial Port Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
5. September 2006 - April 2007, OIC Plans and Programs/Asst Installation Deployment Officer, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
6. April 2007 - August 2007, Flight Commander, Readiness, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
7. August 2007 - December 2007, Assist Installation Deployment Officer, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Kadena AB Japan
8. December 2007- August 2008, Flight Commander, Management and Systems, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Kadena AB Japan
9. August 2008 - August 2009, Senior Advisor, Afghan National Army 4th Forward Support Depot, Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan
10. September 2009 - May 2010, Installation Deployment Officer, then OIC Operations and Compliance, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Kadena AB Japan
11. May 2010 - April 2012, Assistant Director of Operations (Phoenix Mobility), 570th Global Mobility Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
12. April 2012 - April 2013, Director of Operations (Phoenix Mobility), 570th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
13. May 2013 - June 2014, Commander, 4th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, Morón Air Base Spain
14. June 2014 - May 2015, Executive Officer, 18th Air Force, Scott AFB Ill
15. May 2015 - May 2016, Director of Logistics Operations, 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing, Scott AFB Ill
16. June 2016 - June 2017, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellowship, Washington, D.C.
17. June 2017 - June 2018, Commander, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB Kuwait
18. June 2018 - May 2020, Commander, 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron, Travis AFB Calif
19. June 2020 - April 2022, Branch Chief, Current Operations, Directorate of Logistics, Headquarters United States Africa Command, Stuttgart Germany
20. April 2022 - May 2023, Deputy Executive Officer to the Combatant Commander, Headquarters United States Africa Command, Stuttgart Germany
21. July 2023 - May 2024, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB Ala
22. June 2024 – June 2026, Section Head, Logistics & Resources Division, Headquarters North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium
23. July 2026 - Commander, 52nd Mission Support Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 2003
First Lieutenant May 27, 2005
Captain May 27, 2007
Major Oct 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2018
Colonel June 1, 2024
(Current as of June 2026)