Colonel Ada M. Collier is the Commander of the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Air Force Reserve Command, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. She commands the only Reserve medical unit in Mississippi, serving a wing of more than 1,700 reservists. As Commander, she is responsible for the training programs that ensure wartime readiness and combat capability of the ASTS as well as providing medical programs that support the 403rd Wing and its mission to train, equip and employ airlift forces in global support of the nation's interests. This includes tactical air-land and air-drop of personnel, supplies and equipment, aeromedical evacuation and agile combat support. In addition, the wing performs the only aerial weather reconnaissance mission in the Department of Defense.
Colonel Collier began her career by direct commission into the Air Force Reserve Nurse Corps upon graduation from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. She performed duties in a variety of positions as a traditional reservist from1997-1999 before transitioning to active duty. She was assigned to the 81st Medical Group, Keesler AFB. She left active-duty service in May 2003 and became an individual mobilization agumentee (IMA) where she served in a variety of nursing positions at the squadron, wing and major command levels. Colonel Collier has deployed in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
Prior to this assignment, she was the IMA for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. She provided senior military advice to the Director, Reserve Component Medical Programs on specific health policies, programs and operational activities affecting readiness of the Reserve Component.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Ala.
2000 Nursing Service Management, Sheppard AFB, Texas, by correspondence
2002 Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Troy University, Biloxi, Miss.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2006 Nursing Service Management, Sheppard AFB, Texas, in residence
2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala, in residence
2010 Master of Military Operational Art & Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Leadership Today and Tomorrow (LTT), Washington, D.C., in residence
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Reserve Component National Security Course (RCNCS), National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2014 HQ AFRC/SG Chief Nurse/4N Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2015 Combined Senior Leadership Development Course (CSLC), Washington, D.C.
2017 Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree, University of Minnesota
2017 HQ AFRC Squadron Commander Course, Robins AFB Ga., in residence
2019 Joint and Combined Warfighting School Hybrid, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1997 – August 1999, Clinical Nurse, 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2. August 1999 – January 2001, Clinical Nurse, Multi Service Unit/Charge Nurse, 81st Medical Group, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. January 2001 – May 2003, Clinical Nurse, Family Practice Clinic, 81st Medical Group, Keesler AFB, Miss.
4. May 2003 – May 2009, IMA to Director, Medical Group Education and Training, 81st Medical Group, Keesler AFB, Miss.
5. May 2009 – June 2010, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. June 2010 – May 2011, IMA to Deputy Command Nurse, HQ AFRC, Robins AFB, Ga.
7. May 2011 – February 2014, Nurse Corps Assignment Facilitator, HQ ARPC, Buckley AFB, Colo.
8. February 2014 - October 2014, IMA to Command Nurse, HQ AFRC, Robins AFB, Ga.
9. October 2014 – January 2017, IMA to Chief Nurse, 779th Medical Group, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
10. January 2017 – October 2017, IMA to Command Nurse, Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
11. October 2017- October 2019, Commander, 452nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, March ARB, Calif.
12. October 2019 – August 2022, IMA to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
13. August 2022 – Present, Commander, 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Longevity Service with six oak leaf clusters AF Training Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant August 19, 1998
First Lieutenant August 19, 2000
Captain August 19, 2002
Major August 19, 2006
Lieutenant Colonel August 23, 2011
Colonel June 3, 2016
(Current as of August 2022)