Col. Ileana Ramirez Perez is the Deputy Commander at 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Puerto Rico. She is responsible for assisting the Wing Commander in leading more than 1,100 Air National Guardsmen, including two Geographically Separated Units, and executing an annual budget exceeding $90 Million, supporting worldwide Contingency Response and Combat Communications capabilities.
Col. Ramirez enlisted as a Security Police Apprentice in September 1988. She graduated in 1995 from the Inter American University, San Juan, Puerto Rico with a degree in criminal justice. Col. Ramirez commissioned in 1997 at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn. She graduated from Personnel Officer Training at Keesler Air Force Base in March 1998. The colonel served in various command and staff positions to include Commander of the 156th Mission Support Group; Commander of the 156th Force Support Squadron; 156th Airlift Wing Executive Officer; and 156th Airlift Wing Inspector General at Muñiz ANGB, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Col. Ramirez took part in multiple multinational exercises in El Salvador and Paraguay, where she was supporting the United States Southern Command team. Prior to her current assignment, the colonel was the Senior Guard Advisor for the USSOUTHCOM.
She served as the principal advisor to the Combatant Commander for all matters pertaining to the National Guard. She oversaw the State Partnership Program for USSOUTHCOM for execution and strategy compliance for 21 National Guard states partnered with 24 countries. Col. Ramirez was responsible of reviewing plans, strategies, and proposals to commit the National Guard resources in support of Theater Strategy and Service Component plans.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Administration, Criminal Justice, Inter American University, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2000 Master of Business Administration, Human Resources Management, University of Phoenix, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Joint Air Operations Planning Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Strategic Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Air National Guard Commander’s Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2023 Security Cooperation Senior Executive Seminar, Defense Security Cooperation University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1997 – November 1997, Student, Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
2. November 1997 – January 1999, Education Services Officer, 156th Military Personnel Flight, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
3. January 1999 – September 2001, Personnel Staff Officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico Air National Guard
4. October 2001 – June 2003, Director of Personnel, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, PRANG
5. June 2003 – June 2005, Wing Executive Officer, 156th Airlift Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
6.June 2005 – March 2008, Wing Executive Staff Officer, 156th Airlift Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
7. November 2005 – December 2005, Student, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. March 2008 – January 2009, Director of Personnel, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, PRANG
9. January 2009 – September 2010, Joint Plans and Programs Officer, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, PRANG
10. July 2010 – June 2011, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 2011 – November 2012, Joint Plans and Programs Officer (Deputy J5), JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico National Guard
12. November 2012 – November 2014, Commander, 156th Force Support Squadron, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
13. July 2014 – May 2015, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. November 2014 – October 2015, Deputy Commander, 156th Mission Support Group, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
15. October 2015 – December 2016, Wing Inspector General, 156th Airlift Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
16. December 2016 – October 2017, Commander, 156th Mission Support Group, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
17. October 2017 – April 2019, Deputy Human Resources Officer, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, PRNG
18. April 2019 – March 2021, Director of Staff - Air, JFHQ, Fort Buchanan, PRANG
19. March 2021 – June 2023, Senior Guard Advisor, United States Southern Command, Doral, Fla.
20. July 2023 – Present, Deputy Commander, 156th Wing, Muñiz ANGB, Puerto Rico
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 2021 – June 2023, Senior Guard Advisor, United States Southern Command, Doral, Fla., as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Reserve Force Meritorious Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf clusters
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
Military Order of World Wars
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Nov. 20, 1997
First Lieutenant Nov. 20, 1999
Captain Nov. 20, 2001
Major Feb. 6, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel March 2, 2012
Colonel Nov. 1, 2019
(Current as of September 2023)