Bio
Colonel James T. Vinson is the Commander, 52d Maintenance Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The Maintenance Group provides field-level maintenance for a fleet of F-16 aircraft supporting the Supreme Allied Commander Europe with expeditionary airpower specializing in suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, strategic attack, close air support, and combat search and rescue missions. Colonel Vinson was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in June of 1996. His military education includes in-residence attendance at Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. A career aircraft maintenance officer, Colonel Vinson has served in a variety of positions at Wing, MAJCOM, Headquarters Air Force, and Office of the Secretary of Defense levels. He has a broad experience base spanning both the Combat and Mobility Air Forces, and has served in USAFE, PACAF, ACC, and AMC. Prior to this assignment, Colonel Vinson served as the 51st Maintenance Group Commander at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Colonel Vinson was the recipient of the 2009 Air Combat Command Lt Gen Leo Marquez Award (Field Grade Manager category), and the 2001 Air Force Lt Gen Leo Marquez Award (Company Grade Manager category). Prior to this assignment, Colonel Vinson served as the 51st Maintenance Group Commander at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.