Col. Jason M. Figley is the Maintenance Group Commander for the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PAANG), Coraopolis PA. He directs the overall maintenance production effort of over 400 enlisted and officer personnel supporting 16 KC-135T aircraft and is responsible for ensuring the training and readiness of assigned airmen.
Col. Figley began his career in 1999, when he enlisted in the Communications Flight. After finishing his education and being selected as a pilot, Lt. Col. Figley received his commission in 2003 when graduating from the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. He completed undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB), Texas in 2005, continued on to Altus AFB for his advanced aircraft training, and then returned to the PAANG as a KC-135R/T pilot.
Following numerous duties in the Wing as an executive officer, planner, scheduler, and Acting Communication Flight Commander, Col. Figley was selected to command the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in 2017.
Col. Figley took command of the 171st Maintenance Group in April 2020. The 171st is a “supertanker” Wing, operating 16 KC-135R/T model aircraft with a membership of about 1,200 Guard men and women supporting the missions of the Commonwealth and the U.S. Air Force.
EDUCATION
1999 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), San Antonio, Texas
2000 Information Management Specialist, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2002 Bachelor of Science Degree, Geneva College, Pa.
2003 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2005 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2005 KC135 Copilot Initial Qualification School, Altus AFB, Okla.
2009 KC135 Aircraft Commander Upgrade, McConnell AFB, Kan.
2011 Squadron Officer School by correspondence
2017 Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2017 Basic Technician Supervisor Course, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
2018 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
2019 Leadership Development Course for Squadron Commanders, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Squadron Commanders Course, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Md.
2019 Air Command and Staff College by correspondence
2019 Master of Science Degree, Air University, Maxwell, Ala.
2020 Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Course, Pittsburgh, Pa.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1999 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2. 2000 Technical School - Information Specialist 3C0, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. 2003 Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson ANGB, Tenn.
4. 2005 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
5. 2005 KC135 Copilot Initial Qualification School, Altus AFB, Okla.
6. 2009 KC135 Aircraft Commander Upgrade, McConnell AFB, Kan.
7. 2012 Assistant Battle Staff Commander, Homeland Response Force Region 3, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
8. 2017 Pilot Instructor Training, Altus AFB, Okla.
9. 2017–2020 Commander 171st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Coraopolis, Pa.
10. 2020-Present Commander 171st Maintenance Group, Coraopolis, Pa.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: KC-135T Instructor Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,200 hours
Aircraft flown: KC-135R/T, T-1A, T-6II
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
AF Longevity Service
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
AF Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class September 23, 1999
Senior Airman August 18, 2000
Staff Sergeant May 4, 2003
Second Lieutenant June 27, 2003
First Lieutenant June 27, 2005
Captain June 27, 2007
Major September 10, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel September 11, 2017
Colonel May 26, 2022
(Current as of March 2023)