Colonel Jason Gingrich is the commander of the 347th Rescue Group, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The group consists of an HC-130J rescue squadron, an HH-60G helicopter rescue squadron, an operations support squadron, and a Guardian Angel squadron. He is responsible for the overall combat training and readiness of more than 400 personnel. The 347th Rescue Group plans and executes worldwide missions and operations in support of the United States' national security and global military objectives.
Colonel Gingrich received his commission through the ROTC program at Pennsylvania State University in 1997. He served in a variety of positions in Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Pacific Air Forces as an HH-60G instructor and evaluator pilot. Colonel Gingrich led the vertical lift acquisition branch and served as the Air Force’s representative on the DoD Helicopter Survivability Task Force while on the Air Staff. He has deployed to and flown in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and AFRICOM operations. Prior to this assignment, Colonel Gingrich commanded a rescue squadron and attended the Naval War College. Colonel Gingrich is a command pilot with over 2,500 flying hours and 170 combat hours in the HH-60G.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, PA
2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2006 United States Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2009 Masters of Science in Environmental Policy and Management, AMU, VA
2010 Masters of Science in Military Arts and Science, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, VA
2012 Air War College, Correspondence
2016 Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, RI
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Feb 98- Officer in Charge of Squadron Operations Center, 9th AS, Dover AFB, DE
2. Oct 98- Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK
3. Jun 99- Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training-Helicopter, Ft Rucker, AL
4. Mar 00- Formal Training Unit-HH-60G, Kirtland AFB, NM
5. Oct 00- Resource Advisor, 41st RQS, Moody AFB, GA
6. May 02- Chief of Current Operations, 41st RQS, Moody AFB, GA
7. May 03- Chief of Plans and Exercises, 41st RQS, Moody AFB, GA
8. Mar 05- Chief of Training, 33d RQS, Kadena AB, Japan
9. Jun 06- Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 33d RQS, Kadena AB, Japan
10. Aug 07- Flight Commander, 33d RQS, Kadena AB, Japan
11. Jun 08- Assistant Director of Operations, 33d RQS Kadena AB, Japan
12. Aug 09- Student, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, VA
13. Jun 10- SOF/CSAR Branch Chief, Global Reach Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, DC
14. Jun 12- Director of Operations, 41st RQS, Moody AFB, GA
15. Jun 13- Commander, 66th RQS, Nellis AFB, NV
16. Aug 15- Student, Naval War College, Newport, RI
17. Aug 16- Commander, 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, GA
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 2,500+
Aircraft Flown: HH-60G, HH-60F, HH-60H, EC-155, AS-332
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Action Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 19 Jan 1998
First Lieutenant 19 Jan 2000
Captain 19 Jan 2002
Major 01 Aug 2007
Lieutenant Colonel 01 Dec 2011
Colonel 01 Jun 2016
(Current as of Aug 2016)