Colonel Joseph M. Potts is commander of the 911th Airlift Wing Operations Group, Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Coraopolis, Pa. As Operations Group commander, he is the senior officer responsible for an eight ship C-130 unit equipped airlift squadron, an aeromedical evacuation squadron and a support flight. The Colonel ensures the group maintains the capability to rapidly deploy in response to worldwide contingencies and emergencies.

Colonel Potts was born in Johnstown, Pa. He received his commission in 1979 through the ROTC program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., where he earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering. After completing Undergraduate Navigator Training, Col. Potts was assigned to Royal Air Force Upper Heyford, U.K. as a F-111E Weapon Systems Officer (WSO). Following graduation from Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1984, Col. Potts was assigned as a C-130H pilot at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Colonel Potts completed a special operations assignment before joining the Air Force Reserve in 1992.

As a C-130 pilot at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa., he became an Air Reserve Technician in 1998 and served as an evaluator pilot, Chief of Tactics, and Chief of Safety. He led the 913th Airlift Wing's initial qualification programs for Night Vision Goggle airdrop and airland operations, ensuring combat readiness for the wing's 2003 Operation ENDURING/IRAQI FREEDOM deployment. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Potts was Director of Operations, 328th Airlift Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. Colonel Potts is a command pilot with over 7,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft.

EDUCATION
1979 Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.
1989 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
1994 Air Command and Staff College, by seminar
1997 Master's degree in the Science of Instruction, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa.
2006 Air War College, by correspondence
2009 Advanced Air Mobility Operations Course (AAMOC), Fort Dix, N.J.
2010 Reserve Components National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug. 1979 - June 1980, Student, undergraduate navigator training, Mather AFB, Calif.
2. June 1980 - Nov. 1980, Student F-111 Weapon Systems Officer, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
3. Dec. 1980 - Nov. 1983, F-111 Weapon Systems Officer and instructor, 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Station Upper Heyford, England
4. Nov. 1983 - April 1985, Student, undergraduate pilot training, Columbus AFB, MS and C-130E pilot qualification training, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. April 1985 - July 1989, C-130H pilot & instructor pilot, 774th & 773rd Airlift Squadrons, Dyess AFB, Texas
6. July 1989 - Sept. 1992, Chief of Training, Detachment 6, Air Force Special Operations Command
7. Sept. 1992 - Aug. 1998, C-130E pilot and wing plans officer, 327th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa.
8. Aug. 1998 - Sept. 2004, C-130E instructor/evaluator pilot and Chief of Tactics, 327th Airlift Squadron, Willow Grove ARS, Pa.
9. Sept. 2004 - June 2007, Chief of Safety, instructor/evaluator pilot, 913th Airlift Wing, Willow Grove ARS, Pa.
10. June 2007 - Dec. 2008, Deputy Commander and KC-10 pilot, 514th Operations Support Squadron, McGuire AFB, N.J.
11. Dec. 2008 - Nov. 2012, C-130H2 pilot, Aircraft Operations Officer and Commander, 328th Airlift Squadron, Niagara Falls ARS, N.Y.
12. Nov. 2012 - Present, Commander, 911th Operations Group, Pittsburgh IAP-ARS, Pa.

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot
Flight hours: More than 7,400
Aircraft flown: C-130E/H/H2/H3, WC-130H, C-212, KC-10A, and F-111E

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 4, 1979
First Lieutenant Aug. 1, 1981
Captain Aug. 1, 1983
Major Oct. 1, 1990
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 1999
Colonel Nov. 1, 2012

(Current as of January 2013)