Lieutenant Colonel Weston G. Higbee

 

Lieutenant Colonel Weston G. Higbee is a National Defense Fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts.  As a member of the Air Force Fellows program, he conducts research on a broad spectrum of national security topics to analyze and improve Department of Defense strategies and policies.  

Lieutenant Colonel Higbee received his United States Air Force commission in 2006 and is a master combat systems officer with extensive operational employment and institutional experience ranging from the tactical to strategic level.    

Operationally, Lieutenant Colonel Higbee deployed numerous times as an aircrew member and staff member leading and supporting joint and combined operations in multiple theaters. 

Institutionally, Lieutenant Colonel Higbee completed multiple assignments including Command Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO); Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) Instructor; and Operational Test and Evaluation Operations Officer.  Lieutenant Colonel Higbee has commanded and led at multiple levels. 

Prior to his current position, Lt Col Higbee was commander, 1st Special Operations Theater Air Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. 

EDUCATION  
2006  Bachelors of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA  
2011  Masters of Aeronautical Science with Distinction, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL 

2013  Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL 

2016  Air Command and Staff College in Correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL 

2019  Army Command and General Staff College Distinguished Graduate, Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, KS 

2021  Air War College in Correspondence, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL 

ASSIGNMENTS 

1. January 2007 – January 2008, Combat Systems Officer Student, 563rd Flight Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX
2. January 2008 – October 2008, AC-130H Student EWO, 19th Special Operations Squadron,
   Hurlburt Field, FL
3. October 2008 – March 2013, Technologies Officer, Executive Officer, and Chief of Current Operations as AC-130H EWO Instructor and Evaluator, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL and Cannon AFB, NM
4. 4. March 2013 – September 2014, Flight Commander and AC-130H Evaluator EWO,
   551st Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
5. 5. September 2014 – June 2017, Assistant Operations Officer and AC-130 WIC Evaluator EWO,
   14th Weapons Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
6. 6. June 2017 – June 2018, Command EWO, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL
7. 7. June 2018 – July 2019, Student, Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS
8. 8. July 2019 – May 2022, Assistant Operations Officer, 18th Special Operations Test & Evaluation Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
9. 9. May 2022 – October 2022, Operations Officer, 18th Special Operations Test & Evaluation Squadron,
   Hurlburt Field, FL
10. 10. October 2022 – September 2023, Commander, 24th Special Operations Wing Detachments 2 and 4, Duke Field and Hurlburt Field, FL
11. 11. September 2023 – March 2025, Commander, 1st Special Operations Theater Air Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
12. July 2025 – Present, National Defense Fellow, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Medford, MA

FLIGHT INFORMATION 
Rating: Master Combat Systems Officer 

Flight Hours: More than 1,800 

Aircraft: AC-130H/U/J  

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 
Defense Meritorious Service Medal 

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters 

Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters 
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters 

Joint Service Commendation Medal 

Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters 

Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters 

Combat Action Medal 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION  

Second Lieutenant 11 July 2006  
First Lieutenant 11 July 2008  
Captain 11 July 2010 

Major 1 October 2016 

Lieutenant Colonel 14 December 2020 

(Current as of April 2025)