Colonel Ethan Hinkins is the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL. He leads & supervises programs supporting training, standardization evaluation, full- spectrum readiness, and operational command & control for AFSOC’s 20,000 Air Commandos, 300 aircraft, and $19.B assets. He also develops and directs processes to plan, task, execute & assess operations serving 6 Combatant Commands.
Colonel Hinkins enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1989 and served as an enlisted soldier, warrant officer, and commissioned officer and was also an Army Aviator. He entered the U.S. Air Force in June 1999 as an inter-service transfer and attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, graduating in 2001. Upon joining the Air Force Reserve, he transitioned to Air Force Special Operations and later became initial cadre for the Reserve’s entry into the Combat Aviation Advisor (CAA) mission. In addition to several CENTCOM deployments, he is an experienced CAA Mission Commander and has led Operational Aviation Detachments to conflict regions around the world. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Hinkins was the Director of Staff for 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Physiology, Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich. 1999 Masters of Business Administration, Michigan State University, Lansing, Mich. 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence 2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1989 – June 1999, Various assignments and positions, United States Army and Army National Guard
2. June 1999 – April 2003, F-16 Pilot, 107 Fighter Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.
3. April 2003 – September 2009, Special Operations Pilot, 711th SOS, Duke Field, Fla.
4. September 2009 – February 2013, Chief of Training/Assistant Operations Officer, 5th SOS, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. February 2013 – October 2014, Commander, Detachment 1, 5th SOS, Duke Field, Fla.
6. October 2014 – March 2018, Director of Operations, 711th SOS, Duke Field, Fla.
7. March 2018 – April 2021, Chief, Fighter/Bomber/SOF Programs, Air Force Reserve Plans and Programs, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
8. April 2021 – September 2022, Director of Operations, Plans, and Requirements, 22 AF, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
9. September 2022 – October 2023, Commander, 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-St. Paul IAP ARS, Minn.
10. October 2023 – May 2024, Director of Staff, 22 AF, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
11. May 2024 – Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 3,400, including more than 700 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: OH-58, UH-1H, AH-1, T-37, T-38, F-16C/D, MC-130E, C-208, TH-1H, UH-1N, and C-145A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Gallant Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 23, 1998
First Lieutenant April 23, 2000
Captain June 28, 2002
Major April 9, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel August 28, 2015
Colonel April 26, 2021
(Current as of June 2024)