Col. Scott Mills is the Commander of the 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. He is responsible for one of the largest installations and flying operations 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 responsible for organizing, training, and equipping a wing comprised of 25 squadrons. The wing provides A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for close air support and forward air control, combat support, and medical forces for combatant commander requirements worldwide. The 355th Wing also provides combat search and rescue personnel recovery capabilities through the employment of HC-130J Combat King IIs, HH-60G Pave Hawks, and Guardian Angel weapon systems. The wing has units at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. and Nellis AFB, Nev. The 355th Wing is also responsible for training A-10C pilots for the entire Total Force, and is the Air Combat Command executive agent for Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces and Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty compliance.
Col. Mills previously served as Special Advisor to the Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs on the F-35 programs. He previously commanded the 66th Weapons School, where he produced both A-10 and Joint Terminal Attack Controller Weapons Officers. He has also served as a Political Military Strategist on the Joint Staff J-5, Deputy Directorate for Joint Strategic Plans, at the Pentagon, and graduated as a distinguished graduate from both the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and Air Command Staff College.
Col. Mills received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours, including over 300 combat hours. His operational assignments include service in the 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz; 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea; the 74th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, NC; and a tour as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. He has flown combat missions in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQ FREEDOM, where he also served as a Battalion Air Liaison Officer.
EDUCATION
1999 – Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
2005 – USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2006 – Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 – Master's degree in Military Operational Art/Science, Air University, Ala.
2011 – Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 – Master's degree in Military Strategy, School of Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 – Air War College, by correspondence
2017 – Master's degree in Strategic Studies, USMC War College, Quantico MCB, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1999 – April 2001, student, undergraduate pilot training, Vance AFB, Okla.
2. April 2001 – August 2004, A-10 instructor pilot and Battalion Air Liaison Officer, 354th Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
3. August 2004 – June 2005, A-10 instructor pilot and Chief, Squadron Training, 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
4. July 2005 – December 2005, student, USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. January 2006 – June 2007, squadron weapons officer, 74th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
6.July 2007 – June 2010, Flight Commander and Asst. Director of Operations, 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. July 2010 – June 2011, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. July 2011 – June 2012, student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. July 2012 – May 2014, Political Military Strategist, J-5, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, D.C.
10. June 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
11. July 2016 – June 2017, student, USMC War College, Quantico MCB, Va.
12. July 2017 – May 2020, SAF/IA, HQ USAF, the Pentagon, D.C.
13. May 2020 – April 2021 Commander, Detachment 6, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Nellis AFB, Nev.
14. April 2021 – June 2021, Commander, 57th Operations Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
15. June 2022 – Present, Commander, 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2012 – May 2014, Political Military Strategist, J-5, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, D.C., as a Major
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flying Hours: More than 2,400, including more than 300 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A/B, A-10C, and F-35A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal