Colonel Bruce James Lewis is the 151st Mission Support Group Commander, 151st Air Refueling Wing, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Salt Lake City, Utah. As commander, he is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping nearly 400 Guardsman and civilians assigned to the group. The 151st Mission Support Group is made up with the support staff, contracting, 151st Civil Engineer Squadron, 151st Force Support Squadron, 151st Security Forces Squadron, 151st Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 151st Communications Flight.
Colonel Lewis began his career as an enlisted member of the Utah Air National Guard in 1989. While enlisted, he was assigned to the 151st Security Forces Squadron, 151st Comptroller Flight, and 151st Logistics Squadron. Col Lewis joined the full-time Air technician force in 1997 as a Finance Technician. He attended Columbia College earning his Bachelor of Science in business administration. In 2004 he earned his commission from the Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville Tennessee. He has deployed over the last 30 years in support of operations around the world to include Operations DESERT STORM, ENDURING FREEDOM and SPARTAN SHIELD as well as Counter Drug missions.
Colonel Lewis has served in a variety of positions and responsibilities. including Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Community Relations/Public Affairs Officer. He served on the Air Mobility Command Inspector General team, special assignment with the Utah Regional Operation Center, and various assignments with the Air National Guard Readiness Center.
EDUCATION
1995 Airman Leadership School, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
2001 Non-Commissioned Officer School, McGee-Tyson Air Base, Tennessee
1999 Associate Degree in Science, Columbia College, Salt Lake City, Utah
2000 Bachelor of Science, Business Management, Columbia College, Salt Lake City, Utah
2004 Academy of Military Science, McGee-Tyson Air Base, Tennessee
2009 Squadron Officer School, correspondence
2017 Air Command and Staff College, correspondence
2017 Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Alabama
2021 Air War College, correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1989 – December 1992, Security Forces member, 151st Security Forces Squadron, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
2. December 1992 – February 1995, Inactive Readiness Reserve
3. February 1995 – December 2001, Finance Technician, 151st Comptroller Flight, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
4. December 2001 – November 2004, Supply Technician, 151st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
5. November 2004 – August 2011, Budget Officer, 151st Comptroller Flight, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
6. August 2011 – November 2013, Logistics Officer, 169th Intelligence Squadron, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
7. November 2013 – October 2014, Wing Executive Staff Officer, 151st Air Refueling Wing, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
8. October 2014 – March 2015, Commander, 151st Comptroller Flight, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
9. March 2015 – December 2021, Commander, 151st Security Forces Squadron, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
10. January 2022 – June 2022, Commander, 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait
11. June 2022 – December 2022, Commander, 151st Security Forces Squadron, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
12. December 2022 – Present, Commander, 151st Mission Support Group, Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Utah
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with ‘N’ device
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three hourglass devices and two “M” Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one service star
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Utah National Guard Achievement Ribbon with two devices
Utah Joint Staff Officer Service Ribbon
Utah State Partnership Service Ribbon
Utah National Guard Service Ribbon with six devices
Utah Emergency Service Ribbon
2002 Olympic Winter Games Service Ribbon
Utah National Guard Recruiting Ribbon
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States (Lifetime Member)
National Guard Association of Utah (Lifetime Member)
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (Lifetime Member)
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Utah (Lifetime Member)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic, Aug 30, 1989
Airman, May 29, 1990
Airman First Class, Dec 01, 1990
Senior Airman, Jul 01, 1991
Staff Sergeant, Jul 20, 1995
Technical Sergeant, May 15, 2000
Master Sergeant, Aug 15, 2002
Second Lieutenant, Nov 19, 2004
First Lieutenant, Nov 19, 2006
Captain, Nov 19, 2008
Major, Oct 16, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel, Jun 8, 2018
Colonel, Dec 3, 2022