Colonel Ciro E. de la Vega III is the is the Commander of the 341st Mission Support Group, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. As Commander, he delivers critical warfighting and peacetime support to the 341st Missile Wing. The group is comprised of 1,100+ personnel and provides premier service, support, and innovative programs in the areas of engineering and construction, contracting, disaster preparedness, personnel administration, force development, recreation facilities, dining, lodging, housing, communication services, cyber operations, transportation, supply, and ensures worldwide contingency force readiness.
Colonel de la Vega enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in May 1992 as a nuclear weapons specialist. Upon graduating from Officer Training School (OTS) Colonel de la Vega was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as a Communications Officer in March 2002.
Col de la Vega has spent most of his career providing communications support to commanders from the Squadron level through the Combatant Command level throughout the world. He has commanded at the Section, Flight, and Squadron levels.
Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Executive Officer to the USAFRICOM Combatant Commander.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Management Computer Information Systems, Park University, Mo.
2004 Master or Science, Information Technology Management, Trident University International
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2014 Air Force Chief of Staff POLAD Fellowship, Washington, D.C.
2020 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School for National Security, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Apr 2002 – Nov 2003, OIC Network Control Center, 366 Communications Sq Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
2. Nov 2003 – Sep 2004, OIC ATCALS/Radio Branch, 366 Communications Sq Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
3. Sept 2004 – July 2005, OIC Base Comm Systems, 366 Communications Sq Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
4. Jul 2005 – May 2006, Chief AOC Networks, 603 Air Communications Sq, Ramstein AFB, Germany
5. May 2006 – May 2008, Plans Flight Commander, 603 Air Communications Sq, Ramstein AFB, Germany
6. May 2008 – June 2009, Executive Officer to the 3 AF/CV, 3 AF Ramstein AFB, Germany
7. July 2009 – June 2010, Branch Chief, Tech Interop Facility, AF Network Integration Center, Scott AFB, IL.
8. June 2010 – July 2011, Section Commander/17D FAM, Air Force Network Integration Center, Scott AFB, IL.
9. July 2011 – May 2012, Cyber Assignments Officer, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas.
10. May 2012 – Jul 2013, Team Chief Cyber Officer Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas
11. Jul 2013 – Jul 2014, AF Chief of Staff POLAD Fellow, Washington, D.C.
12. July 2014 – July 2016, Commander, 48 Communications Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, U.K.
13. Jul 2016 – May 2017, POL MIL planner NATO Policy, JCS/J5 Deputy Directorate Eur/NATO/Russia, Pentagon, D.C.
14. May 2017 – May 2018, Executive Officer to the Deputy Director, Eur/NATO/Russia, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15. May 2018 – May 2019, Commander, 609 Expeditionary Air Communications Squadron, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
16. Aug 2019 – June 2020, Student Eisenhower School for National Security, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
17. Jul 2020 – Jan 2021, Chief, Future Ops Branch, USAFRICOM J6, Kelley Barracks, Germany
18. Feb 2021 – Mar 2022, Deputy Executive Officer to the Combatant Commander, USAFRICOM, Kelley Barracks, Germany
19. Mar 2022 – Aug 2022, Executive Officer to the Combatant Commander, AFRICOM, Kelley Barracks, Germany
20. Aug 2022 – Aug 2023, Director, Communications and Information, 7 AF, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
21. Aug 2023 – Present, Commander, 341st Mission Support Group, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2016 – May 2018, POL MIL Planner/Executive Officer, J5 JCS DD-ENR, as a Major/Lt Col
2. July 2020 – Aug 2022, J6 Branch Chief, Deputy/CCDR Executive Officer, USAFRICOM, Kelley Barracks, Germany, as Lt Col/Colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant March 01, 2002
First Lieutenant March 01, 2004
Captain March 01, 2006
Major Jan 01, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Nov 01, 2016
Colonel May 01, 2022
(Current as of October 2023)