Col. Jose Cabrera is the Commander of the 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. He is responsible for one of the largest installations in the United States Air Force, with 34 mission partners, more than 46,000 personnel, 152 aircraft, and 51 billion dollars in assets. He is also responsible for organizing, training, and equipping a wing comprised of 25 squadrons and mission-ready operations, combat support, and medical Airmen. The 355th Wing operates and deploys A-10C Thunderbolt IIs, HC-130J Combat King IIs, HH-60W Jolly Green IIs, and Special Warfare Teams in support of Combatant Commander requirements. Lastly, the 355th Wing is responsible for two formal training units producing qualified A-10C pilots and Pararescuemen for the Air Force.
Col. Cabrera was born in New York City and received his commission through the University of Delaware Air Force ROTC program in 2000. He is a Combat Rescue Officer who commanded at the group and squadron levels, served in multiple headquarters staff positions, and led combat missions in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, UNIFIED PROTECTOR, NEW DAWN, and the Horn of Africa.
Prior to his current assignment, Col. Cabrera served as the Deputy Director of the NATO Center of Excellence for Defense Against Terrorism (COE-DAT) in Ankara, Turkey. In this role, he led an international military organization responsible for NATO’s counter-terrorism analysis, education, and policy development.
EDUCATION
2000 - Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management, Wilmington University, Del.
2001 - Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 - Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 - Masters of International Relations, Troy State University, Ala.
2014 - Masters of Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 - Masters of National Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Eisenhower School, Ft. McNair, D.C.
2024 - NATO Senior Officer Policy Course, NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2000 - September 2002, Assistant Regional Director of Admissions, AFROTC Northeast, N.J.
2. September 2002 - September 2004 Student, Combat Rescue Officer, 342d Training Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
3. September 2004 - August 2006, Flight Commander, 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
4. August 2006 - May 2007, Combat Rescue Program Element Monitor, Headquarters Air Force, Langley AFB, Va.
5. May 2007 - July 2009, Chief Guardian Angel Weapons System Team, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va
6. July 2009 - August 2013, Operations Officer, 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. August 2013 - July 2014, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. July 2014 - May 2015, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency Liaison to USSOCOM, MacDill AFB, Fla.
9. May 2015 - June 2018, Commander, 57th Rescue Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England
10. June 2018 - May 2019, Student, Eisenhower School of National Resource Strategy, Ft. McNair, D.C.
11. May 2019 - May 2020, Air Force Special Warfare Division Chief, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C., Va.
12. May 2020 - August 2021, Chief, Commander’s Action Group, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AFB, Germany
13. August 2021 - June 2022, Deputy Chief of Staff, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AFB, Germany
14. June 2022 - June 2024, Commander, 563d Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
15. July 2024 - July 2025, Deputy Director, NATO COE-DAT, Ankara, Turkey
16. July 2025 - Present, Commander, 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2014 - June 2015, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency Liaison to USSOCOM, MacDill AFB, Fla. as a major
2. July 2024 - July 2025, Deputy Director, NATO COE-DAT, Ankara, Turkey as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 - USAF Combat Rescue Officer of the Year, Headquarters Air Force, Va.
2011 - USAF Richard T. Kight Award, Headquarters Air Force, Va.
2014 - Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 - Distinguished Graduate, Eisenhower School, Ft. McNair, D.C.