Lieutenant Colonel Wendell Lee Collins
Lt Col Collins was born January 1967 in Rome GA. He graduated from Marshall High School; Marshall Texas in 1985 then attended East Texas State University, Commerce TX. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History while completing an AFROTC 4 year program. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Air Force the same day. Afterwards, Lt Col Collins attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB TX where he completed training in T-37 and T-38 aircraft.
Lt Col Collins's first duty assignment was as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot (FAIP) with the 87th FTS flying the T-38A Talon. While there, Lt Col Collins held various flight and squadron duty positions while accumulating over 900 hrs instructing in the T-38.
In 1994 Lt Col Collins was selected to attend MH-53J Pave Low III training at Kirtland AFB NM. He first transitioned from fixed to rotary wing while attending the Rotary Wing Qualification Course at FT Rucker AL in the UH-1H before starting training at Kirtland AFB. In 1995 Lt Col Collins completed the longest RTU schoolhouse in the Air Force as Pave Low pilot number 249 and was assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Fld FL. While assigned to the Green Hornets, Lt Col Collins progressed from Co-Pilot to Aircraft Commander and held several positions in the squadron as current operations and chief of training. Lt Col Collins deployed in support of Operations Deny Flight and Joint Endeavour as well other contingency and exercise operations.
From 1997-1999 Lt Col Collins was assigned to 31st SOS at Osan AB Republic of Korea. While assigned to Air Force Special Operations Commands' most forward deployed helicopter squadron, Lt Col Collins served in a verity of squadron positions including operations planner, flight commander, and interim Director of Operations. He also qualified as both an instructor and evaluator pilot in the MH-53J. He deployed to multiple locations both inside of Korea and throughout the eastern pacific and was recognized for his work in classified and humanitarian missions. In 1999 Lt Col Collins was reassigned to 58th Training Support Squadron, Kirtland AFB NM to assume duties as MH-53J/M program manager and continue instruction for the Pave Low schoolhouse. While at Kirtland, Lt Col Collins developed the first CV-22 Syllabus of Instruction and made multiple trips to the Bell-Boeing Osprey plant in Arlington TX as a simulator and cockpit design representative. He continued to train students in the Pave Low and was next assigned to the 551st SOS as squadron chief of safety and evaluator pilot.
Latter, Col Collins was assigned to Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) as a Special Operations Liaison Officer (SOLE), Ramstien AB, Germany in 2001. Lt Col Collins was lead rotary wing plans officer and then Deputy Director SOLE. While there he deployed on numerous short notice and contingency operations including embassy evacuations in Africa, 2004 Olympic Security Mission as well as Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. From 2004-2007 Lt Col Collins served as Assistant Director of Operations, 23rd FTS, Ft Rucker AL. As the Air Force's only Undergraduate Helicopter program, the 23rd FTS is responsible for initial training of all USAF helicopter pilots. In 2007 Lt Col Collins was selected as Commander, AFROTC DET 320, Tulane University, New Orleans LA.
Lt Col Collins is a combat pilot and has more than 3,200 hours of flight time in T-38, UH-1H, MH-53J/M, CV-22, and TH-53A as well as multiple civilian aircraft. Lt Col Collins is married to the former Jacqueline Cooke of Hickory NC. They have two children, Maggie and Sam.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- 1990-1994, Laughlin AFB, TX
- 1994-1995, Kirtland AFB, NM
- 1995-1997, Hurlburt Fld, FL
- 1997-1999, Osan AB, ROK
- 1999-2001, Kirtland AFB, NM
- 2001-2004, Ramstein AB, GE
- 2004-2007, FT Rucker, AL
- 2007-Present, New Orleans, LA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
- Joint Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster