Col. Steven J. Breeze is the Vice Commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla. He is responsible to the 1st SOW Commander for preparing Air Force special operations forces for missions worldwide in support of Army, Navy, Marine and allied special operations forces and USAF counterparts. The wing's mission includes infiltration, resupply, air refueling and precision fire support, employing over 70 fixed- and vertical lift aircraft including the AC-130U, AC-130J, MC-130H, CV-22B, U-28A and PC-12. These capabilities support a variety of special operations missions including direct action, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, personnel recovery, counterterrorism, psychological operations and information operations.
Col. Breeze grew up in Centralia, Ill and received his commission through the United States Air Force Academy in 1992. He has spent the majority of his career in special operations assignments. Col. Breeze has served throughout the world, conducting special operations in Europe, Africa, and most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan as the Director of Operations, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Command. A Command Pilot, he has logged more than 3,500 flying hours in the T-37, UH-1H, MH-60G, MC-130H, MV-22B, CV-22A, and CV-22B.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Business Management, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1996 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2005 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2010 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 92 - December 94, Milstar Integration Project Engineer, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
2. December 94 - July 95, T-37B Student Pilot, 35th Flying Training Squadron, Reese AFB, Texas
3. July 94 - February 95, UH-1H Student Pilot, 23rd Flying Training Squadron, Ft. Rucker, Ala.
4. February 95 - December 99, MH-60G Pilot, Chief of Training, 55th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. December 99 - January 05, MC-130H Evaluator, Chief Assistant Dir of Ops, 7th Special Ops Squadron, Mildenhall, England
6. January 05 - September 06, CV-22 Evaluator, Operations Officer, Det 1, 18th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
7. September 06 - November 08, Chief CV-22 Pilot, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
8. November 08 - June 09, Assistant Operations Officer, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
9. June 09 - June 11, Operations Officer, 71st Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
10. June 11 - June 13, Commander, 71st Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
11. June 13 - June 15, Chief Operations Training Headquarters, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
12. June 15 - June 16, Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
13. June 16 - Present, Vice Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 3,600
Aircraft Flown: T-37, UH-1H, MH-60G, MV-22A, CV-22A, CV-22B, MC-130H, TH-1H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1992
First Lieutenant May 27, 1994
Captain May 27, 1996
Major January 1, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Jan 1, 2008
Colonel March 1, 2014
(Current as of June 2016)