Colonel Darrin Anderson serves as Commander, 119th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Group, 119th Wing, North Dakota Air National Guard. He is responsible for leading an organization of 206 authorized personnel conducting kinetic and non-kinetic target development and finished intelligence production in support of global Air Operations Centers, Combatant Commander operations plans, and contingency operations.
Colonel Anderson began his military career in 1983 when he enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard as a Security Specialist. He was commissioned in February 1995 at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science. Colonel Anderson then served as an Intelligence Officer from 1995 to 2003 supporting the 119th Fighter Wing and 178th Fighter Squadron performing homeland defense in the Air Sovereignty Alert mission. In this capacity he deployed several times in support of Operation Coronet Nighthawk, and was activated for Operation Noble Eagle after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2003 he transitioned to the aircraft maintenance career field, holding various maintenance officer positions over 10 years supporting flying missions including F-16, C-21, and MQ-1. Prior to his current position, Colonel Anderson was assigned as Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, 119th Wing, Fargo, N.D. Col. Anderson is a 2012 graduate of the USAF Air War College. He is a native of Valley City, N.D.
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.
1990 Associate Degree in Industrial Security, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1995 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson AFB, Tenn.
2001 Squadron Officers School Distance Learning Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 USAF Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Distance Learning Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Master of Science Strategic Studies, Air War College Senior Developmental Education Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Reserve Component National Security Course, Ft McNair, Washington D.C.
2018 Air National Guard Commander Development Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Mar 1983 – July 1994, Security Specialist, 119th Security Forces Squadron, Fargo, N.D.
2. July 1994 – January 2003, Intelligence Operations Specialist, Fargo, N.D.
3. January 2003 – July 2005, 119th Sortie Generation Flight Commander, Fargo, N.D.
4. July 2005 – February 2007, 119th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander, Fargo, N.D.
5. February 2007 – September 2013, 119th Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, Fargo, N.D.
6. October 2013 – present, 119th ISR Group Commander, Fargo, N.D.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 14 oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with four clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with seven clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon one device
Air Force Training Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Feb. 23, 1995
First Lieutenant Feb. 23, 1997
Captain May 23, 1999
Major Aug. 17, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 29, 2007
Colonel Oct.1, 2013
Current as of July 2018