Colonel Warren “Eric” Withrow is the Test Support Division Chief at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex on Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. He executes $100 million in funds and leads 950 military, civilian, and contractor personnel to provide medical, civil engineering, communications, security, logistics, and quality-of-life services at Arnold Air Force Base. He is responsible for $11.2 billion in assets to include 300 facilities and forty-thousand acres of developed and undeveloped land and its associated natural resources and historical sites.
Colonel Withrow graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and earned his commission in 2002 via Officer Training School. His military experience spans both enlisted and officer, active duty and reserve, and he has worked in the acquisition, intel, maintenance, space, and test and evaluation communities. Furthermore, he deployed in support of Operations RESTORE/CONTINUE HOPE and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to this assignment, he was the Deputy Director of the Program Management Directorate for the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
EDUCATION
1999 Associate of Engineering, Tidewater Community College, Virginia
2001 Bachelor of Science Degree, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University, Virginia
2002 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2003 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2011 Master of Science Degree, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University, Virginia
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2021 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2002 – December 2003, Spectral Analyst, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2. December 2003 – September 2004, HYCAS Program Manager, National Air & Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. October 2004 – July 2006, Executive Officer to the Director of Data Exploitation, National Air & Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. August 2006 – July 2007, Officer-in-Charge, Quality Assurance, 354th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska*
5. August 2007 – July 2008, Accessories Flight Commander, 354th Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska*
6. August 2008 – July 2009, Assistant Officer in Charge, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Eielson AFB, Alaska*
7. August 2009 – July 2011, Chief, DSCS Operations & Sustainment, MILSATCOM Systems Directorate, Los
Angeles AFB, California
8. July 2011 – December 2011, External Audit Cell Manager, NATO Training Mission/Combined Security
Transition Command, Camp Eggers, Afghanistan
9. January 2011 – July 2013, Lead, GPS Program Execution Team, Global Positioning Systems Directorate, Los
Angeles AFB, California
10. July 2013 – June 2014, Director of Operations, Detachment 1, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall AFB,
Florida
11. June 2014 – May 2015, Commander, Detachment 1, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Florida
12. May 2015 – December 2015, Chief Engineer, 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Florida
13. January 2016 – June 2017, Director of Operations, 53d Test Support Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Florida
14. June 2017 – June 2019, Commander, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
15. July 2019 – June 2023, Deputy Director, Program Management, Nevada Test & Training Range, Nellis AFB, Nevada
16. October 2020 – April 2021, Plans Engagement Officer (Exec), CCJ5-P, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, Florida
17. June 2023 – Present, Chief, Test Support Division, Arnold AFB, Tennessee
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant December 20, 2002
First Lieutenant December 20, 2004
Captain December 20, 2006
Major November 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel August 1, 2017
Colonel October 1, 2023
(Current as of October 2023)
* Denotes Acquisition Logistics Experience Exchange Tour (ALEET)