Colonel Nelson J. Prouty is the deputy commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California. As deputy commander, he assists the commander in directing the combined efforts of all wing operations and support activities associated with the worldwide air mobility mission. The C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft assigned to Travis AFB participate in airlift and aerial refueling taskings, responding to Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed combat operations and supporting U.S. State Department sponsored humanitarian relief efforts worldwide. He is responsible for ensuring the readiness and wellbeing of more than 26,100 active duty, reserve, civilian personnel, and their families.
Colonel Prouty grew up in an Air Force family and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2003. He has served in various positions within Air Education and Training Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Forces Central Command, Headquarters Air Force, and the Joint Staff. Colonel Prouty has served as an evaluator pilot in both the C-17A and T-1A aircraft. He is a command pilot with 4,800 flying hours including more than 800 combat hours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, and Resolute Support.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics, United States Air Force Academy, Colo. Springs, Colo. 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Business Administration, Trident University International, Cypress, Calif.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, the Pentagon and Federal Bureau of Investigations, Washington D.C.
2023 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
SIGNIFICANT ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2003 – February 2004, Squadron Scheduler, 60th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
2. February 2004 – March 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. March 2005 – December 2008, T-1 Instructor Pilot, 14th Operations Support Squadron & 48th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
4. December 2008 – April 2012, C-17A Instructor Aircraft Commander, 21st A, Travis AFB, Calif.
5. April 2012 – July 2014, C-17A Evaluator, 14th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
6. May 2014 – May 2015, Executive Officer to COMUSAFCENT, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
7. July 2015 – June 2016, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, Washington D.C.
8. June 2016 – June 2018, Politico-Military Planner, Deputy Directorate for Politico-Military Affairs Europe, NATO and Russia, Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
9. June 2018 – December 2018, Student, Pilot Instructor Training, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
10. December 2018 – May 2020, Director of Operations, 14th Student Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
11. May 2020 – June 2022, Commander, 48th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, Miss.
12. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. June 2023 – June 2025, Director of Operations, 618 Air Operations Center, Scott AFB, Ill.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Hours flown: 4,800
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-1A, C-17A, C-5A, T-38B, T-6A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Achievement Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Service Star Iraq Campaign Medal with Service Star
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003
First Lieutenant May 28, 2005
Captain May 28, 2007
Major September 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel April 1, 2018
Colonel June 1, 2024
(Current as of July 2025)