Colonel John K. Lussier is the commander of the 563d Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. The group consists of an HC-130J rescue squadron, two HH-60G helicopter rescue squadrons, an operations support squadron, and two Guardian Angel squadrons, and one Guardian Angel formal training flight. He is responsible for the overall combat training and readiness of more than 700 personnel. The 563d Rescue Group plans and executes worldwide personnel recovery operations in support of the United States' national security and global military objectives.
Colonel Lussier graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1993 and was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force upon graduation. He has held a number of flying and staff positions in several assignments within HH-60G squadrons in the United States, Iceland and Iraq. He has served as an Air Force planner on the Air Staff while assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Air Force and as a staff officer while assigned to Joint Special Operations Command. He also has worked as a senior advisor in Afghanistan while assigned to the Joint Staff's AFPAK Hands program.
Colonel Lussier is a senior pilot with more than 1,700 flight hours in the T-37, UH-1H and the HH-60G PaveHawk and is a fully qualified Joint Staff Officer. He has supported a number of combat contingencies, including Operation(s) Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Science/Mechanical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
1995 Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, George Washington University, Washington DC
1999 Squadron Officer's School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2001 Master's degree in Admin Sciences/Org Management, George Washington University, Washington DC
2003 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2007 Master's degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy, Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS), Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Norfolk, Virginia
2008 Air War College, by correspondence
2012 Master's degree in Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1993 - January 1995, Student, Joint Institute for the Advancement of Flight Sciences (JIAFS), George Washington University, NASA-Langley Research Center, Virginia
2. February 1995 - July 1995, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Mississippi
3. August 1995 - March 1996, Student, Rotary Wing Qualification Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama
4. April 1996 - June 1999, Mobility Officer/Chief of Current Operations/Safety Officer, 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada
5. July 1999 - June 2001, Intern, Air Force Intern Program (AFIP), Pentagon, Washington DC
6. September 2001 - December 2003, Chief of Safety/Flight Commander/Assistant Director of Operations, 56th Rescue Squadron, Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland
7. January 2004 - June 2006, Instructor Pilot/Executive Officer, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
8. July 2006 - June 2007, Student, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College, Virginia
9. July 2007 - June 2009, Deputy Chief of Current Operations, Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
10. June 2009 - June 2011, Commander, 563rd Operations Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
11. June 2011 - June 2012, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
12. July 2012 - March 2013, AFPAK Hands Staff Officer, Pentagon, Washington DC
13. April 2013 - March 2014, Senior Advisor to Afghan National Army Ground Forces Command/Director, Ministerial Advisory Group, Special Operations Forces Liaison Element, Kabul, Afghanistan
14. April 2014 - May 2015, Air Force Planner, Joint and NSC Matters, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
15. May 2015 - present, Commander, 563d Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight hours: More than 1,700
Aircraft flown: T-37B, UH-1H, HH-60G
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1993
First Lieutenant June 2, 1995
Captain June 2, 1997
Major August 1, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel September 1, 2007
Colonel August 1, 2013
(Current as of April 2015)