Col. Matthew L. Collins is the Commander, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. In this position, he leads more than 2,900 personnel providing worldwide aeromedical evacuation, operational support airlift, and aerial refueling in furtherance of national security objectives. The 375th Air Mobility Wing also provides support to 36 mission partners, including United States Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, and Eighteenth Air Force, as well as more than 13,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, civilian, and contract personnel.
Col. Collins entered active duty in May 2003 after earning his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Yale University. Previously, he was assigned as an Air Force Fellow at Princeton University and served as the Deputy Director for Joint and National Security Council Matters, Headquarters United States Air Force. Prior to his current position, Col. Collins served as Vice Commander, 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and Chief, Plans and Strategy Division, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
Col. Collins is a command pilot with over 2,900 flight hours in the T-6, T-1, T-38, C-21, and KC-135, including more than 800 combat hours while deployed in support of United States Central Command.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (with Distinction), Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Distinguished Graduate, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Master of Aeronautical Science, Space Studies (with Distinction), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fl.
2012 Air Command and Staff College by correspondence
2013 United States Army Command and General Staff College by correspondence
2014 United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Distinguished Graduate, by correspondence
2014 United States College of Naval Command and Staff, Distinguished Graduate, by correspondence
2016 Master of Public Policy, International Relations, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
2020 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, Distinguished Graduate, United States College of Naval Warfare, Newport, R.I.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2003 – November 2004, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. November 2004 – April 2005, Student, T-1 Pilot Instructor Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. April 2005 – March 2008, Wing Scheduler and T-1 Instructor Pilot, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, Texas
4. March 2008 – August 2008, Student, KC-135 Aircraft Commander Initial Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla.
5. August 2008 – August 2010, Flight Commander and KC-135 Instructor Pilot, 905th Air Refueling Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.
6. August 2010 – July 2013, Wing Executive Officer and KC-135 Evaluator Pilot, 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
7. July 2013 – July 2015, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee, NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
8. July 2015 – August 2016, Air Force Fellow and CSAF Scholar, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
9. August 2016 – June 2017, Assistant Operations Officer and KC-135 Instructor Pilot, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
10. June 2017 – May 2019, Commander, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
11. June 2019 – July 2020, Student, United States College of Naval Warfare, Newport, R.I.
12. July 2020 – May 2021, Deputy Director, Joint and National Security Council Matters, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. June 2021 – July 2023, Vice Commander, 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
14. July 2023 – June 2025, Plans and Strategy Division Chief, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
15. June 2025 – present, Commander, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott AFB, Ill.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2013 – July 2015, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee, NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, as a Major
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,900, including over 800 combat hours
Aircraft flown: KC-135R/T, T-1, T-6, T-38, C-21
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2020 United States College of Naval Warfare James V. Forrestal Award
2020 United States College of Naval Warfare George C. Kenney Award for Writing on the Topic of Airpower
(Current as of June 2025)