Col. Scott Sanborn
COL Sanborn was commissioned in 1985 through the US Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program and served as an Engineer Platoon Leader with the 224th Engineer Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard while completing his bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation from the University of Iowa in 1987, he was branched Aviation and entered active duty.
COL Sanborn has served in a variety of aviation and military intelligence assignments over the past 24 years. He has held leadership positions at the platoon through the brigade level and staff assignments with the US Army Intelligence and Security Command, Headquarters Department of the Army and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has extensive deployment experience including Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM, deployments to Albania and to Hungary during the mid-1990s in support of operations in Bosnia, multiple deployments to Colombia and most recently to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. COL Sanborn assumed command of the US Army Air Operations Group on 31 August 2010.
COL Sanborn’s education includes a BS in Mathematics from the University of Iowa, a MS in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University, and a MS in National Security Strategy from the National War College. He is also a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College, the US Army Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, and the US Army Aviation Officer Basic Course.
COL Sanborn’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals, the NATO Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medals from the Governments of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Army Staff Identification Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge, and the Master Army Aviator Badge.