Col. Rubén Colón is the Deputy Wing Commander at the 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico. He assists the Wing Commander in determining unit goals, tracks long and short-range planning and execution of all unit programs and provides a focus for all unit functions and activities. Also, he assists the Wing Commander in ensuring the formulation, presentation, justification, and execution of allocated multi-million dollar budget involving several major force elements and state funds. Additionally, he coordinates policies, plans, programs, and requirements at the senior leadership levels of the Air Force, Major Command, wartime gaining commands, National Guard Bureau, and the Adjutant General's Office.
Col. Colón received his commission in 1992 through the Reserve Officer Training Course from the University of Puerto Rico and earned a bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying and Mapping from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. He entered the Air National Guard in 1998 when he was assigned as an Air Weapons Controller at the 141st Air Control Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, Aguadilla. He served as the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Director at the Puerto Rico Joint Force Headquarters. He served as the Installation Commander of the 140th Air Defense Support Squadron, Punta Salinas Radar Site, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. During his first 13 years in the ANG, he served as a Traditional Guardsman. Later he served as the full-time Wing Inspector General in charge of the Wing Commander’s Inspections Program at the 156th Airlift Wing, Carolina, Puerto Rico.
In his civilian capacity, Col. Colón held leadership positions in local and multi-national consumer goods and technology companies for 20 years, including Sales Director and Country General Manager. In addition, he was the Chief, Air Inspections Division and Inspector General Deputy Director for the National Guard Bureau at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the Commander, 156th Mission Support Group, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science in Land Surveying & Mapping, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Hato Rey
1992 Reserve Officer Training Course, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
2010 Basic Communications Officer Training, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
2011 Cyber Operations Transition On-line Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
2014 Inspector General Training Course, National Conference Center, Va.
2015 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2016 Complaints Resolution Program Course, National Conference Center, Va.
2017 Air Command & Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Commander’s Legal Orientation Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Md.
2023 Air National Guard Commander’s Leadership Course, Temple Army Readiness Center and The Pentagon, Va.
2023 USAF Emergency Operations Center Director Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2024 Safety and Accident Investigation Panel President, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2024 USAF Group Command Team Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2024 USAF Mission Support Group Commander’s Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2024 FEMA Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents Course, Fort Buchanan, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
2024 FEMA Emergency Operations Center/Incident Command System Interface, Fort Buchanan, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
2025 Executive Joint Domestic Operations Course, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, by correspondence
2025 National Guard Bureau Joint Protocol Training, Fort Buchanan, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1992 – May 1998, Obligated Reserve Section, Inactive Ready Reserve, Lowry, Colo.
2. May 1998 – May 2003, Air Weapons Controller, 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen Radar Site, Puerto Rico
3. May 2003 – May 2007, Air Battle Manager, 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen Radar Site, Puerto Rico
4. May 2007 – November 2008, Air Weapons Controller, 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen Radar Site, Puerto Rico
5. November 2008 – July 2012, Communications Officer, Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers, Puerto Rico Joint Force Headquarters, San Juan, Puerto Rico
6. July 2012 – October 2014, Commander, 140th Air Defense Support Squadron, Punta Salinas Radar Site, Puerto Rico
7. October 2014 – November 2015, Inspector General, 156th Airlift Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico
8. November 2015 – August 2020, Chief, Air Inspections Division, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
9. August 2020 – January 2023, Wing Inspector General, 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico
10. January 2023 – May 2025, Commander, 156th Mission Support Group, 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico
11. July 2024 – May 2025, Deputy Commander (Detail/Dual Hatted), 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico
12. May 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Lifetime member, National Guard Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 11, 1992
First Lieutenant May 12, 1998
Captain June 11, 2000
Major Oct. 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 2014
Colonel March 23, 2023
(Current as of May 2025)