COLONEL DANELE S. RICHARDSON
Colonel Danele S. Richardson is the Deputy Commander - Sustainment, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing’s mission is to sustain and defend joint and partner forces while projecting combat power in support of theater plans and operations. She oversees 2,500 military and civilian personnel supporting multiple military operations.
Col Danele S. Richardson received her commission through Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2005 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. She was a Staff Weather Officer to the XVIII Airborne Corps and III Corps where she deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Col Richardson was the Joint METOC Officer for Special Operations Command Africa where she deployed as the Current Operations Director for Joint Special Operations Task Force - Somalia. Danele is also a former Commander of the 3d Combat Weather Squadron and an Airpower Strategist at Checkmate, Headquarters Air Force. Prior to her current position, Col Richardson was the Deputy Commander, 23d Air Task Force.
EDUCATION
2005 Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2006 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2013 Master of Business Administration, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
2018 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2018 Master of Military Operational Arts and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2020 Air War College - Correspondence, Maxwell AFB, AL
2024 Master of Strategic Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2006 – February 2009, Staff Duty Officer, 25th Operational Weather Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
2. February 2009 – May 2013, Flight Commander, 18th Weather Squadron, Fort Bragg AIN, NC
3. May 2013 – January 2016, Assistant Director of Operations, 3d Weather Squadron, Fort Hood AIN, TX
4. January 2016 – June 2017, Director of Operations, 23d Special Operations Weather Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
5. June 2017 – July 2018, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
6. July 2018 – June 2020, Joint METOC Officer, Special Operations Command Africa, Kelley Barracks, Germany
7. June 2020 – June 2022, Commander, 3d Combat Weather Squadron, Fort Cavazos, TX
8. June 2022 – July 2023, Division Chief-Eurasia, Africa, Middle East, Checkmate, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
9. July 2023 – July 2024, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
10. July 2024 – May 2026, Deputy Commander, 23d Air Task Force, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
11. May 2026 – Present, Deputy Commander - Sustainment, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Basic Parachutist Badge
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, December 16, 2005
First Lieutenant, December 24, 2007
Captain, December 24, 2009
Major, March 1, 2016
Lieutenant Colonel, September 1, 2020
Colonel, January 1, 2026
(Current as of 07 May 2026)