Col. Benjamin M. Young is the Mission Support Group Commander at the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, Sioux City, Iowa. In this role, he leads and directs five squadrons in providing the foundational support for the wing's air refueling and global airlift missions.
Colonel Young is responsible for all aspects of installation support, including security and force protection, civil engineering, contracting, communications, cyber-security, logistics readiness, and personnel/force support services for the base. He directs the maintenance and improvement of the base infrastructure, manages the wing's computer architecture, and oversees all recreational facilities and activities to ensure a superb quality of life. His command is essential to the readiness and sustainment of the 185th Air Refueling Wing, enabling it to provide all-weather, in-flight aerial refueling for U.S. and partner military aircraft and rapid Global Reach airlift worldwide.
Col. Young joined the 185th ARW in 2000 when he enlisted into Services Flight. During his enlisted time Col. Young earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Morningside. In 2006, Col. Young commissioned through the Academy of Military Science. Following commissioning he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus, AFB; KC-135 training at Altus, AFB and then was assigned back to the 185th ARW, Sioux City, IA. He has served many roles as an officer at the 185th to include Chief of Training, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, Chief of Safety, and Operations Support Squadron Commander. Prior to his current position, Col. Young was the Chief of Staff at the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Sioux City, Iowa.
Col. Young is a Command Pilot with more than 5,200 hours in fixed wing aircraft (T-6, T-1, KC-135). He has flown 187 combat missions totaling 1,356 hours in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL, Operation INHERANT RESOLVE and Operation ODDYSSEY DAWN.
EDUCATION
2004 Airman Leadership School, Sioux City, Iowa
2004 Bachelor of Science, Morningside University, Sioux City, Iowa
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 2000 – October 2006, SERVICES FLIGHT AIRMAN, 185th ARW, Iowa
2. October 2006 – November 2006, STUDENT, Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson, Tenn.
3. December 2006 – January 2008, PILOT TRAINEE, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Mississippi
4. March 2008 – July 2008, PILOT TRAINEE, KC-135 Primary Training, Altus AFB, Okla.
5. August 2008 – August 2014, WORLD-WIDE MISSION PILOT, 185th ARW, Iowa
6. August 2014 – March 2017, STANDARD & EVALUATIONS OFFICER & EVALUATOR PILOT, 185th ARW, Iowa
7. March 2017 – February 2020, CHIEF OF AIRCREW TRAINING & INSTRUCTOR PILOT, 185th ARW, Iowa
8. February 2020 – March 2021, CHIEF OF STAN/EVAL & EVALUATOR PILOT, 185th ARW, Iowa
9. March 2021 – April 2023, CHIEF OF SAFETY & EVALUATOR PILOT, 185th ARW, Iowa
10. April 2023 – September 2024, OPERATIONS SUPPORT SQUADRON COMMANDER, 185th ARW, Iowa
11. October 2024 – September 2025, CHIEF OF STAFF, 185th ARW, Iowa
12. October 2025 – Present, MISSION SUPPORT GROUP COMMANDER, 185th
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 5,200
Combat Flights: 187
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-1, KC-135R
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
NATO Medal