Col Thomas F. Cook, Jr., is the commander of the 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The Group provides base support and services activities to ensure the 27th Special Operations Wing mission readiness, including facility construction and maintenance, housing, food service, law enforcement, fire protection, explosive ordinance disposal, disaster preparedness, communications, personnel support, lodging, recreation, supply, contracting, transportation, logistics plans and other base services supporting over 14,000 military and civilian employees, their families, and retirees.
Prior to his current position, Col Cook served as Executive Officer to the Combatant Commander, United States Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany. Additionally, he has served on the Air Staff as an action officer in the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Budget Programs Office (SAF/FMBP, the Engine Room) and as an executive officer to the Director, SAF/FM Financial Management Budget Operations and Personnel (SAF/FMBO), an Assignments Officer for the Financial Management Career Field, and as the Director, Financial Management and Comptroller at the United States Air Force Academy. Col Cook is a two-time squadron commander, has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is a graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School.
Col Cook received his commission from the United States Air Force Officer Training School in September 2004. His Air Force experience includes assignments at the Base, Field Operating Agency, Direct Reporting Unit, Air Staff, Joint Staff, and Combatant Command levels starting out as a Deputy Financial Analysis Flight Commander, Financial Services Flight Commander, and Financial Analysis Flight Commander. Col Cook is married to Jamie Cook of Grapevine, Texas, and they have two children, Cason (12) and Travis (11).
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Education, Wayland Baptist University, Clovis, NM
2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL 2005 Basic Financial Management Officer Course, Keesler AFB, MS
2007 Master of Science in Operations Management, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
2008 Financial Management Staff Officer Course, Keesler AFB, MS 2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2022 Master of Science Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy, Joint Forces Staff College, Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sep 04 – Sep 06, Deputy Flight Commander, Financial Analysis, 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2. Sep 06 – Oct 07, Flight Commander, Financial Services, 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
3. Oct 07 – Feb 10, Flight Commander, Financial Analysis, 325th Comptroller Squadron Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. Nov 10 – Jan 12, Chief, Air Force Budget Programs, Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Budget Programs Office, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
5. Jan 12 – Mar 13, Executive Officer, Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management, Financial Management Budget Operations and Personnel Directorate, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
6. Apr 13 – Jun 14, Comptroller Assignments Officer, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas
7. Jun 14 – Jul 15, Chief, Comptroller Officer Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas
8. Jul 15 – Jul 16, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. Jul 16 – Jun 18, Commander, 96th Comptroller Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
10. Jun 18 – Jun 20, Commander, 673d Comptroller Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
11. Jun 20 – Jun 22, Director, Financial Management and Comptroller, United States Air Force Academy, CO
12. Jul 22 – Jun 23, Student, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, Joint Forces Staff College, Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, VA
13. Jun 23 – Aug 25, Strategic Planner, Strategic Resource Management Office then Executive Assistant to the Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff J-7, Washington, D.C.
14. Aug 25 – July 26, Executive Officer to the Combatant Commander, United States Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany
15. July 26 – Present, Commander, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jun 23 – Aug 25, Strategic Planner, Strategic Resource Management Office then Executive Assistant to the Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff J-7, Washington, D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel
2. Aug 25 – July 26, Executive Officer to the Combatant Commander, USAFRICOM, as a Colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal Air with two oak leaf clusters
Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and 4 oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Air Force Special Operations Command Financial Services Company Grade Officer of the Year
2009 325th Fighter Wing Staff and 325th Comptroller Squadron Company Grade Officer of the Year
2009 Air Education and Training Command Financial Management Company Grade Officer of the Year
2014 Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate for Personnel Operations Assignment Officer of the Year
2015 General Larry O. Spencer Special Acts and Services Award, awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force for Comptroller and Financial Management
2017 Air Force Materiel Command Comptroller of the Year
2019 Pacific Air Forces Comptroller of the Year