MAJOR JOSEPH T. FETSCH

 

Major Joseph T. Fetsch is the Airfield Operations Flight Commander for the 31st Operations Support Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.  The Airfield Operations Flight is made up of 75 personnel who operate Aviano’s control tower, radar approach control, and base operations facilities, supporting the 31st Fighter Wing, and other NATO units.

 

Major Fetsch was born in Mineola, New York.  He earned his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduation from Clarkson University in 1987.  During Operation DESERT STORM, Major Fetsch served as Chief, Air Traffic Control Operations for the 4404th Composite Wing (Provisional) at King Abdul-Aziz Air Base, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.  He also directed all airfield operations for the 31st Air Expeditionary Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, during Operation ALLIED FORCE.  Major Fetsch is married to the former Valerie Jeanne Herrmann of Syracuse, New York.  They have two children: Joseph and Michael.

 

EDUCATION:

 

1987     Bachelor of science degree in electrical and computer engineering - Clarkson University

1993     Squadron Officer School - Maxwell AFB

1997     Master of arts degree in management - Webster University

1998     Air Command and Staff College (by correspondence)

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

1.  October 1987 - January 1988:  Student, Air Traffic Controller School, Keesler AFB, Mississippi

2.  January 1988 - November 1988:  Student, Air Traffic Control Officer Training Program, 2012th Communications Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina

3.  December 1988 - January 1991:  Deputy Chief, Air Traffic Control Operations, 33d Communications Group, March AFB, California

4.  January 1991 - March 1993:  Chief, Combat Air Traffic Control Operations; Airfield Systems Flight Commander, 32d Combat Communications Squadron, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

5.  March 1993 - December 1995:  Chief, Air Traffic Control Operations; Fighter Scheduler; Chief, Wing Contingency Plans, 18th Operations Support Squadron, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan

6.  December 1995 - October 1998:  Chief, Command and Control Warfare; Chief, Information Warfare, North American Aerospace Defense Command Headquarters, Peterson AFB, Colorado

7.  October 1998 - present:  Airfield Operations Flight Commander, 31st Operations Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

 

Meritorious Service Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Lt Gen Gordon A. Blake Aircraft Save Award - 1989

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

 

Second Lieutenant           23 May 1987

First Lieutenant                3 August 1989

Captain                            3 August 1991

Major                                1 February 1999

 

(Current as of 30 March 2001)