Colonel Warren “Eric” Withrow is the Test Support Division Chief at Arnold Engineering Development Complex on Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. 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.
The colonel graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and earned his commission in December 2002 via Officer Training School. His military experience spans more than 27 years of both enlisted and officer, active duty and reserve, and he has worked in the acquisition, intel, aircraft maintenance, space, and test and evaluation communities. Furthermore, he deployed in support of Operations RESTORE/CONTINUE HOPE and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, Colonel Withrow was the Deputy Director of the Program Management Directorate for the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nellis AFB, Nev.
EDUCATION
1999 Associate of Engineering, Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, Va.
2001 Bachelor of Science Degree, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.
2002 Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2003 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Science Degree, Mechanical Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.
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, Calif. (July 2011 – December 2011, External Audit Cell Manager, NATO Training Mission/Combined Security Transition Command, Camp Eggers, Afghanistan)
8. January 2011 – July 2013, Lead, GPS Program Execution Team, Global Positioning Systems Directorate, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
9. July 2013 – June 2014, Director of Operations, Detachment 1, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
10. June 2014 – May 2015, Commander, Detachment 1, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
11. May 2015 – December 2015, Chief Engineer, 83d Fighter Weapons Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
12. January 2016 – June 2017, Director of Operations, 53d Test Support Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
13. June 2017 – June 2019, Commander, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
14. July 2019 – June 2023, Deputy Director, Program Management, Nevada Test & Training Range, Nellis AFB, Nev. (October 2020 – April 2021, Plans Engagement Officer (Exec), CCJ5-P, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.)
15. June 2023 – Present, Chief, Test Support Division, Arnold AFB, Tenn.
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
OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
2013 Space Command Senior badge
2020 Acquisition Master badge
2006 Maintenance Basic badge
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Dec. 20, 2002
First Lieutenant Dec. 20, 2004
Captain Dec. 20, 2006
Major Nov. 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 1, 2017
Colonel Oct. 1, 2023
(Current as of September 2025)
*Denotes Acquisition Logistics Experience Exchange Tour (ALEET)