Colonel Rob L. Lowe III is the Vice Commander, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He leads more than 3,100 personnel who provide aeromedical evacuation for patients, and operational support airlift for high priority passengers and cargo with a fleet of 14 C-21 aircraft. Assisting the wing in this mission is its Associate Partner, the 932nd Airlift Wing (Reserve), with its four C-40 aircraft. Additionally, the 375th Air Mobility Wing and the Illinois Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing are Associate Partners in executing the Rapid Global Mobility mission with eight KC-135 refueling aircraft.
The 375th Air Mobility Wing also provides showcase support to 36 mission partners including United States Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, and the Eighteenth Air Force, totaling more than 13,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, Department of Defense civilians, and contract personnel making Scott a Total Force installation.
During his career, Colonel Lowe’s joint staff assignments include serving in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense on Middle East policy issues at the Pentagon coordinating the development of security cooperation plans, resources and legislation. He has commanded a KC-135 aircraft maintenance squadron. A special operations C-17 and C-37 VIPSAM pilot, he has amassed nearly 700 combat flying hours in every major theater around the world. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as Director of Strategy, 618th Air Operations Center, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science in Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Master of Aeronautical Science, Aviation Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Joint Nuclear Command and Control Course, Offutt AFB, Neb.
2013 Intermediate Development Education, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
2015 Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officers Course, Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas
2017 Master’s degree in strategic studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
- October 2001–February 2002, Transition Officer, 479th Training Support Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga.
- March 2002–August 2002, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, Ga.
- September 2002–April 2003, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Distinguished Graduate, Columbus AFB, Miss.
- September 2003–November 2009, Wing Executive Officer, Squadron Flight Commander, Squadron Chief Executive Officer, Operations Group Special Operations Plans Officer, C-17 Lead Airdrop Special Operations Low-Level II Evaluator Pilot, 437th Airlift Wing and 15th Airlift Squadron, Charleston AFB, S.C.
- December 2009–June 2012, Chief of Command Post, Squadron Current Operations Officer, Squadron Director of Staff, C-37A Aircraft Commander, 6th Air Mobility Wing/310th Airlift Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla.
- July 2012–June 2013, AF Strategic Policy Fellow, Intermediate Developmental Education, Washington, D.C.
- July 2013–June 2015, Chief, Security Cooperation Plans, Resources & Legislation, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
- July 2015–January 2017, Commander, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill AFB, Fla.
- February 2017–June 2017, Deputy Commander, 6th Operations Group, 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill AFB, Fla.
- July 2017–June 2018, Student, Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- July 2018 – June 2020, Chief, Air Mobility Command Commander’s Action Group, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
- June 2020 – May 2021, Director, Strategy Directorate, 618th Air Operations Center, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
- May 2021 – present, Vice Commander, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
- July 2013–June 2015, Chief, Security Cooperation Plans, Resources & Legislation, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a major and lieutenant colonel.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight Hours: 2,970 including 670 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: T-6, T-1A, C-17, C-37A and C-40
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant September 27, 2001
First Lieutenant September 27, 2003
Captain September 27, 2005
Major November 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel February 1, 2015
Colonel February 1, 2021
(Current as of May 2021)