Col Jason T. Monaco is the Deputy Wing Commander at 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. As Deputy Commander, Col Monaco plays a key role in the planning and execution of military operations to include counter-air, aerial interdiction and close-air support on the Korean Peninsula. The wing consists of more than 3,200 active-duty personnel and civilians, four groups and 14 squadrons, including two F-16 fighter squadrons.
The colonel entered the Air Force in 2002 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in History from the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from pilot training from Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi in 2005 and completed F-16 training at Luke AFB, Arizona in 2006. Col Monaco’s assignments include being an F-16 instructor pilot & flight examiner as well as various positions at the squadron and wing levels. Previously, he served as the Chief, Exercises and Aerial Events Division for Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. He also served as an Air Liaison Officer in the Republic of Korea and as Director of Operations for the 354th Operational Support Squadron at Eielson, Air Force Base, Alaska. Additionally, Col Monaco served as Commander, 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the Deputy Chief of the Operational Support Division, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, History, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2003 Master of Arts, National Security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2002 – October 2003, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
2. October 2003 – July 2004, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 3rd Flying Training Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
3. July 2004 – July 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 50th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
4. July 2005 – October 2005, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 49th Fighter Training Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
5. October 2005 – July 2006, Student, F-16 Formal Training Unit, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. July 2006 – December 2007, F-16CJ pilot, 522nd Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
7. December 2007 – January 2010, F-16 Instructor Pilot & Flight Commander, 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
8. January 2010 – February 2011, Air Liaison Officer, 607th Air Support Operations Group, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
9. February 2011 – May 2011, Student, F-16 Requalification Training, 62d Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
10. May 2011 – July 2014, F-16 Flight Examiner & Assistant Director of Operations, 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
11. July 2014 – June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. June 2015 – June 2017, Policy Branch Chief, Headquarters Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Deterrence & Nuclear Integration, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. June 2017 – August 2018, Director of Operations, 354th Operations Support Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
14. August 2018 – June 2020, Commander, 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
15. June 2020 – June 2021, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
16. June 2021 – June 2023, Deputy Chief, Operational Support Division, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam, Hawaii
17. June 2023 – May 2024, Chief, Exercises & Aerial Events Division, Pacific Air Forces, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
18. May 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 1,970 Aircraft flown: F-16, T-38, T-6
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
(Current as of May 2024)