Col. Nathaniel M. Church is the Deputy Commander, 178th Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio. As the Deputy Commander, he supports the commander in leading the 178th Wing’s Cyber, Space and Signal Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Expeditionary Communications, Air Battle Management and Remotely Piloted Aircraft missions, while ensuring that all Airmen are prepared to employ in place or deploy in support of Overseas Contingency and Domestic Operations.
Col. Church entered the Air Force in 2003 following his graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. He served in the regular Air Force with multiple assignments at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and the National Guard Bureau. In 2011, he joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard and in 2019 he transferred to the Ohio Air National Guard. Col. Church has held multiple command, air, and joint staff positions in the Force Support and Cyberspace Operations career fields. Colonel Church has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to his current position, he was the Commander, 178th Mission Support Group, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2003 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014 Master of Art, Homeland Security and Disaster Management, American Military University, Charles Town, W. Va.
2014 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2003 – December 2005, Director, Recreation, Fitness and Sports, Directorate of Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. December 2005 – February 2009, Assistant Chief, Flightline Protocol, 316th Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md. (June 2008–February 2009, Operations Officer, Joint Visitors Bureau, 3rd Sustainment Command, Balad Air Base, Iraq)
3. February 2009 – December 2010, Chief, Domestic Operations, Readiness and Sustainment, Directorate of Personnel, Manpower, and Services, National Guard Bureau, JB Andrews, Md.
4. January 2010 – July 2013, Sustainment Services Flight Commander, 113th Force Support Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.
5. July 2013 – June 2014, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. June 2014 – December 2014, Undergraduate Cyber Training, Keesler AFB, Miss.
7. December 2014 – January 2019, Commander, 113th Communications Flight, JB Andrews, Md.
8. February 2019 – September 2020, Deputy Commander, 178th Mission Support Group, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio
9. September 2020 – August 2022, Commander, 178th Force Support Squadron, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio
10. August 2022 – March 2024, Commander, 178th Mission Support Group, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio
11. April 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 178th Wing, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. April – July 2012, Civil Support Officer, National Guard Coordination Center, J-3, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Va., as a Maj.
2. April – November 2018, J-6, Central Command Forward Headquarters, Al Udeid AB, Qatar, as a Lt. Col.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003
First Lieutenant May 28, 2005
Captain May 28, 2007
Major Jan. 10, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 28, 2016
Colonel Nov. 30, 2022
(Current as of January 2025)