Colonel Jacob C. McManus is the Mobilization Assistant (MA) to the Director, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operations, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, VA. He assists the director with policy, guidance, and oversight for the global Air Force ISR enterprise and equipping intelligence Airmen for multi-domain operations. Colonel McManus helps lead the development of future Air Force ISR concepts and capabilities, directs Air Force ISR Chief Information Office activities, and oversees execution of the 75 billion dollar Air Force ISR program and budget. He also provides guidance and counsel to the ISR Operations Director on Reserve issues.
Colonel McManus graduated summa cum laude from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1996. A distinguished graduate from the Joint Aviation Electronic Warfare School, he began his career as an RC-135 V/W RIVET JOINT Electronic Warfare Officer assigned to the 55th Wing, Offutt AFB, NE. After completing a variety of positions within the 55th Wing, he was selected to participate in the National Security Agency’s Junior Officer Career Cryptologic Program. Having served nine years in the active duty, he cross-trained to become an intelligence officer and transitioned to the Air Force Reserves, where he has served for the last 17 years.
Prior to his current assignment, Colonel McManus was the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to the Commander, 363d ISR Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics (Japanese Minor), United States Air Force Academy, Colo. 2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Masters in Military Operational Art, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence 2015 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1996 – April 1997, Student – Joint Undergraduate Navigator / Naval Flight Officer Training, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
2. May – August 1997, Student – Joint Aviation Electronic Warfare School, Navy Technical Training Center Corry Station, Fla.
3. September 1997 – June 1999, Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO), RC-135V/W, 343d Reconnaissance Squadron (RS), Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Neb.
4. June 1999 – February 2000, Weapons and Tactics Instructor EWO, RC-135V/W, 343 RS, Offutt AFB, Neb.
5. February 2000 – September 2002, Chief, Wing System Requirements, Instructor EWO, RC-135V/W, 55th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), Offutt AFB, Neb.
6. September 2002 – September 2005, Intern, Junior Officer Cryptologic Career Program, National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
7. January 2006 – July 2008, Instructor, National Cryptologic School, 70 OSS, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
8. July 2008 – July 2010, Staff Officer, 70 OSS, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
9. July 2010 – March 2012, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director of Operations, 22d Intelligence Squadron, Fort George G. Meade, Md. (June – December 2011, Chief, Document and Media Exploitation, United States Division – Central, Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq)
10. March 2012 – October 2013, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Commander, 22 IS, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
11. November 2013 – September 2016, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Deputy Director of Intelligence, United States Air Forces Central Command, Shaw AFB, S.C.
12. September 2016 – July 2019, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Commander, 659th ISR Group, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
13. July 2019 – February 2022, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Commander, 363d ISR Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
14. February 2022 – Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Director, ISR Operations, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Navigator Flight Hours: more than 1400
Aircraft Flown: RC-135V/W, EC-130E
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2011 Maj Gen Jack E. Thomas Award (Air Reserve Component Intelligence Professional of the Year) 2011 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 70th ISR Wing, Field Grade Officer (IMA) Category
2003 Information Operations Officer of the Year, 694th Intelligence Group 1999 RIVET JOINT Raven of the Year, 55th Wing
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 1996
First Lieutenant May 29, 1998
Captain May 29, 2000
Major Apr. 25, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 10, 2012
Colonel Jun. 16, 2017
(Current as of June 2023)