Colonel Rubén Colón is the Mission Support Group Commander, 156th Wing, Puerto Rico Air National Guard. As Group Commander, he is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and providing Group level direction to over 485 members of four squadrons, one flight, and the Contracting office. He implements policy and provides resources on matters related to the Civil Engineer Squadron, Force Support Squadron, Logistics Readiness Squadron, Security Forces Squadron, the Communications Flight, the Contracting office, and the command support staff.
Colonel Colón, a Puerto Rico native, has held many leadership positions at the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and National Guard Bureau. He 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 ANG, Aguadilla, PR. He served as the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Director at the Puerto Rico Joint Forces Headquarters. Col Colón served as the Installation Commander of the 140th Air Defense Support Squadron, a Geographically Separated Unit, Toa Baja, PR. During his first thirteen 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, PR.
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. Also, Col Colón 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 assignment, Col Colón was the 156th Wing’s Inspector General.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelors of Science in Land Surveying & Mapping, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, Hato Rey, P.R. 1992 Reserve Officer Training Course, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, P.R.
2010 Basic Communications Officer Training, Keesler AFB, Miss 2011 Cyber Operations Transition Course, Keesler AFB, Miss, on-line 2014 Inspector General Training Course, NCC, Va
2015 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2016 Complaints Resolution Program Course, NCC, Va
2017 Air Command & Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala, by correspondence 2018 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala, by correspondence
2023 Air National Guard Commander’s Leadership Course, Temple Army Readiness Center and The Pentagon, Va
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1992 – May 1998 Obligated Reserve Section, Inactive Ready Reserve, Lowry, Col.
2. May 1998 – May 2003 Air Weapons Controller, 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen, P.R.
3. May 2003 – May 2007 November 2008 Air Battle Manager, 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen Radar Site, Aguadilla, 4. P.R.
4. May 2007 – November 2008 Air Weapons Controller, 141st Air Control Squadron, Punta Borinquen, P.R.
5. November 2008 – July 2012 Communications Officer, Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers, Puerto Rico Air National Guard HQs, San Juan, P.R.
6. July 2012 – October 2014 Commander, 140th Air Defense Squadron, Punta Salinas Radar Site, Toa Baja, P.R.
7. October 2014 – November 2015 Inspector General, 156th Airlift Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, P.R.
8. November 2015 – August 2020, Chief, Air Inspections Division, ANGRC, JB Andrews, Md.
9. August 2020 – January 2023, Wing Inspector General, 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, P.R.
10. January 2023 – Present, Commander, 156th Mission Support Group, 156th Wing, Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, P.R.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Spece Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one silver hourglass device
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 11, 1992
First Lieutenant May 12, 1998
Captain June 11, 2000
Major October 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2014
Colonel March 23, 2023
(Current as of January 2023)