Col Joshua D Kovacic is the Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Director of Civil Engineers, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for providing policy and oversight for the planning, development, construction, maintenance, utilities, and environmental quality of 178 Air Force bases worldwide valued at more than $796 billion. This responsibility includes housing, fire emergency services, explosive ordnance disposal, and emergency management services. He also influences resourcing for installation support functions with an annual budget of $9.8 billion and is the focal point for organizing, training and equipping a 48,000-person engineer force.
Col Kovacic received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in May 2000. He began his career on active duty before continuing his service in the Air Force Reserve, performing a variety of civil engineer, mission support, and joint planning roles at the base, MAJCOM, Headquarters Air Force, and Joint Staff levels. His assignments have included leadership positions across the civil engineer enterprise, including PRIME BEEF squadron command and RED HORSE. He has deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Prior to his current position, Col Kovacic was the Commander, 953d Reserve Support Squadron supporting the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command and Joint Staff South located at Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, and Suffolk, Virginia. He is a Level III Joint Qualified Officer, a licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional. In his civilian career he is a senior corporate relations advisor for a major energy company.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, The United States Air Force Academy
2000 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2001 Management 101: Introduction to Base Civil Engineer Organization, Air Force Institute of Technology Civil Engineer & Services School, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2003 Master of Science Degree in Engineering & Environmental Management, The Air Force Institute of Technology
2003 Energy Management Technology and Policy, The Air Force Institute of Technology Civil Engineer & Services School, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2015 Fire Marshal Course, Louis F. Garland DoD Fire Academy, Goodfellow AFB, Texas
2016 Joint and Combined Warfighting School-Hybrid, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
2018 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington DC
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. August 2000–August 2001, Program Manager, 88th Civil Engineer Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. August 2001–March 2003, Graduate Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. April 2003–November 2003, Deputy Maintenance Engineer, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
4. November 2003–March 2004, Chief of Engineering, 332d Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq
5. April 2004–July 2005, Executive Officer, 18th Civil Engineer Group, Kadena AB, Japan
6. August 2005–July 2006, Environmental Training & Outreach Program Manager, Directorate of Installations and Mission Support, HQ AFSPC, Peterson AFB, Colorado
7. August 2006–January 2007, Project Manager, Fallujah Resident Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division, Multi-National-Force-Iraq, Camp Fallujah, Iraq
8. January 2007–April 2008, Chief of Programs Development, Directorate of Installations and Mission Support, HQ AFSPC, Peterson AFB, Colorado
9. June 2009–December 2013, Operations Flight Commander, 556th RED HORSE Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
10. December 2013–April 2017, Commander, 433d Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, Texas
11. April 2017–December 2020, Joint Operations & Exercise Planner, 953d Reserve Support Squadron, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia
12. December 2020–October 2022, Deputy Commander, 920th Mission Support Group, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida
13. November 2022–May 2024, IMA to Chief, Asset Management Division, HAF AF/A4CA, The Pentagon, Virginia
14. May 2024–February 2026, Commander, 953d Reserve Support Squadron, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia
15. March 2026–present, Mobilization Assistant, Director of Civil Engineers, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, Pentagon, Virginia
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2017–December 2020, Joint Operations & Exercise Planner, 953d Reserve Support Squadron, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, as a lieutenant colonel
2. May 2024–February 2026, Commander, 953d Reserve Support Squadron, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION [MILITARY ONLY]
Second Lieutenant: May 31, 2000
First Lieutenant: May 31, 2002
Captain: May 31, 2004
Major: December 10, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel: December 10, 2017
Colonel: May 1, 2023
(Current as of August 2026)