Colonel Jimmie “Pat” Brooks is the Vice Commander of the 908th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He assists the wing commander in directing operations and activities of approximately 1,200 people who represent the wing headquarters and 11 subordinate units. The wing provides worldwide movement of high priority personnel and cargo. Missions range from local pilot proficiency training, aeromedical evacuation and worldwide strategic airlift, to night-vision goggle, low-level, short-field assault operations and formation airdrop.
Colonel Brooks earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University in 1987. The Air Force Reserve Command selected him for commissioning and pilot training. In 1989, he earned his commission from Officer Training School. In 1990, Colonel Brooks completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, TX. After completing initial C-5 training at Altus AFB, OK, he was assigned to the 68th Airlift Squadron at Lackland AFB, TX. During this time, he upgraded to instructor pilot as a first lieutenant and was activated for Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. After serving in the 68th Airlift Squadron as Chief of Safety, Assistant Chief of Stan/Eval, and Chief Pilot, Colonel Brooks was appointed as the Commander of the 433d Operations Support Squadron at Lackland AFB, TX in 2010. As 433d OSS Commander, Colonel Brooks supervised the training, life support, mission planning, and tactical support for over 700 active duty, guard, and reserve aircrew members. In 2011, Colonel Brooks served as the Multimodal Mission Commander in Rota, SP where he led joint force operations in both Spain and Afghanistan. In 2012, Colonel Brooks assumed command of the 356th Airlift Squadron, which is the C-5 Formal Training Unit at Lackland AFB, Texas. The 356AS provides all of facets of C-5 flight training, in both Air Land and Air Refueling operations, to over 200 Active Duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve students. In May of 2015, Colonel Brooks was appointed as the Vice Commander of the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
As a Command Examiner Pilot, Colonel Brooks has attained more than 7,000 hours in airlift, air refueling and formal training unit missions. In his civilian occupation, Colonel Brooks is an International First Officer with a major airline, based in New York. Colonel Brooks and his wife Amy reside in New Braunfels, Texas.
EDUCATION1987 Bachelor of Business Administration, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
2001 Squadron Officer School (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence), Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Air War College (Correspondence) Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Master of Business Administration, Columbia Southern University, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS1. August 1990 - May 2005, C-5A/B Examiner Pilot, 68th Airlift Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. June 2005 - September 2007, Assistant Chief of Stan/Eval, 68th Airlift Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. October 2007 - September 2009, Chief of Safety, 68th Airlift Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
4. October 2009 - June 2010, C-5A/B Assistant Chief Pilot, 68th Airlift Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
5. July 2010 - November 2012, Commander, 433d Operations Support Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
6. November 2013 - May 2015, Commander, 356th Airlift Squadron (C-5A/B FTU), Lackland AFB, Texas
7. May 2015 - Vice Commander, 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
FLIGHT INFORMATIONRating: Command Pilot, Examiner
Flight Hours: More than 7,300 hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, C-5A/B, C-130H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONSMeritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters)
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal (one oak leaf cluster)
Air Force Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (two oak leaf clusters)
Combat Readiness Medal (five oak leaf clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (one device)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal (three devices)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (two devices)
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service Award (two oak leaf clusters)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (one M device)
AF Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONSSecond Lieutenant March 1989
First Lieutenant March 1991
Captain August 1993
Major June 2002
Lieutenant Colonel August 2009
Colonel May 2015
(Current as of May 2016)