Col. Jonathan N. Ball is the Deputy Commander, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 27 SOW plans, postures, and executes precision strike, specialized mobility, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and air-to-ground integration. The wing is organized into four group equivalents, an A-staff, and 25 squadrons equipped with specialized aircraft including the AC-130, CV-22, MC-130, and MQ-9. He is responsible for providing combat-ready, world-wide deployable unconventional airpower to combatant commanders to execute special operations. Col Ball also manages support to U-28 operations, 1.3K facilities, almost 7K personnel, and seven tenant units.
Col. Ball grew up in West Newbury, Massachusetts and entered the Air Force in 2006 as a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He has spent most of his career as a CV-22B Osprey pilot in Air Force Special Operations Command. Prior to his current position, Col Ball was the Director, Crisis Response and Detention Operations, Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Directorate, Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, where he provided policy advice to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism regarding crisis response, embassy security, non-combatant evacuation operations, personnel recovery, counter-weapons of mass destruction, detention operations, and Guantanamo Bay.
EDUCATION
2006 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, United States Air Force Academy, C.O.
2006 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
2012 Master of Science, Computer Science, DePaul University, I.L.
2018 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
2019 Master of Philosophy, Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
2020 Air War College by correspondence.
2024 Master of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2007 - July 2008, Helicopter Student Pilot, 23rd Flying Training Squadron, Fort Rucker, A.L.
2. January 2009 - February 2012, Wing Executive Officer and UH-1N Flight Examiner Pilot, 1st Helicopter Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, M.D.
3. February 2012 - March 2013, CV-22B Student Pilot, 71st Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
4. March 2013 - July 2017, Wing Plans Flight Commander and CV-22B Flight Examiner Pilot, 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, U.K.
5. July 2017 - July 2018, Air Command and Staff College Student, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
6. July 2018 - July 2019, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies Student, Maxwell AFB, A.L.
7. June 2019 - June 2021, Operations Officer, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, F.L.
8. June 2021 - June 2023, Commander, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
9. June 2023 - June 2024, National War College, Ft McNair, Washington D.C.
10. June 2024 - July 2026, Director, Crisis Response and Detention Operations, Pentagon, Washington D. C.
11. July 2026 - Present, Deputy Commander, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, N.M.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2024 - July 2026, Director, Crisis Response and Detention Operations, Pentagon, Washington D. C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 3,000
Aircraft flown: T-6, UH-1H, UH-1N, CV-22B
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal