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AES CC Promoted To Colonel

  • Published
  • By 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Jan. 1 marked a special day in many Air Force member's career, it was the start of a new year, it was a day to celebrate the year's past and it was a day of promotions. 

Col. Barbara Jones, 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, was one of those lucky few this day as she pinned on the rank of colonel. 

Colonel Jones has had an outstanding career since joining the military in 1988 and her biography some of her accomplishments are listed below. 

Colonel Jones is the commander of the 43rd AES. She commands one of only two USAF active-duty aeromedical evacuation units with a primary tactical mission. 

On short notice, the squadron deploys to homeland and forward battle areas combat-ready medical and communications unit type codes to establish the Department of Defense's Theater AE System. These critical assets facilitate casualty movement via emergency airlift and provide specialized medical care enroute. 

Additionally, this unit serves as the lead research unit for 32 active-duty and Air Reserve Component AE units and supports joint-service global commitments, humanitarian, and CONUS/USSOUTHCOM alert missions. 

Colonel Jones was born and raised in the north side of Chicago. She earned a direct commission after graduating from Aurora University School of Nursing, Aurora, Ill., in 1988. Prior to assuming her current position, she was the commander of the 18th Medical Operations Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan. Colonel Jones has held various leadership positions throughout her 20-year career. 

Colonel Jones has been married to Jamie Jones of Albuquerque, New Mexico, since December 1992. They have two children, Benjamin, 12, and Amelia, 8. 

Colonel Jones major awards and decorations include:
-Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
-AF Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
-AF Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
-Combat Readiness Medal
-National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
-Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Congratulations to Colonel Jones on her promotion.