Colonel John M. McQuade (Andy) is the commander of the 509th Mission Support Group, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. He commands six squadrons (1800 personnel) providing the Bases Operations Support that enables strategic nuclear operations, lethal global strike, and agile combat support. He leads the execution of civil engineering, law enforcement, security, logistics, contracting, communications, fire protection, human resources, food services, Airman and family support, and infrastructure programs. This support provides the security and surety of strategic nuclear resources and of the nation’s only B-2 bomber fleet valued at $44 billion. He oversees a $50M budget, along with a $340M construction program for the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings, the 442nd Fighter Wing and eight tenant units.
Colonel McQuade attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, and was commissioned upon graduation through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1997. Prior to entering active duty, he was sent to obtain a Doctorate in Neuroscience from the University of Cincinnati. He is a career scientist and has served in program offices, laboratories, and staff scientist/analyst positions across the Air Force. Col McQuade has served as Chief, Operations Assessment Team, Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid AB, Qatar supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel.
Prior to this assignment, Col McQuade served as the Dean of Students, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright- Patterson AFB, OH where he was responsible for over 1000 joint, international, and civilian students enrolled in graduate engineering and management programs at the school.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA
2002 Doctorate of Philosophy, Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati OH
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2012 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2019 Masters of Strategic Studies and Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1.June 1997 – September 2002, Educational Delay, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2.November 2002 – November 2004, Program Manager, Joint Biological Standoff Detection System, Human Systems Program Office, 311th Human Systems Wing, Brooks City-Base, TX
3.November 2004 – June 2006, Chief, Fatigue Neuroscience Team, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Detachment 5, Brooks City-Base, TX
4.June 2006 – June 2010, Assistant Professor of Biology and Director of Cadet Research, Department of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, CO
5.June 2010 – June 2011, Lead; Communications, Electronics, and Ammunition Systems Portfolio, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition), Pentagon, Washington DC
6.June 2011 – June 2012, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
7.June 2012 – June 2014, Lead; Force Structure Integration Analysis, Headquarters USAF/A9 Studies & Analyses, Assessments & Lessons Learned, Pentagon, Washington DC
8.August 2014 – July 2016, Deputy Chief of Staff, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and 627th Air Base Group Deputy Commander, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
9.August 2016 – June 2017, 627th Air Base Group Deputy Commander and Inspector General, Joint Base Lewis-McChord WA
10.June 2017 – June 2018, Chief, Operations Assessment Team, 609th Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
11.Aug 2018 – June 2019, Student Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
12.June 2019 – June 2021, Dean of Students, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
13.June 2021 – Present, Director Studies, Analyses, and Assessments and Lessons Learned, Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, LA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Analysis Team of the Year
USAFA Outstanding Educators Award
Texas AFA Scientist of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 17 May 1999
First Lieutenant 8 February 2001
Captain 1 October 2002
Major 1 July 2008
Lieutenant Colonel 1 October 2013
Colonel 1 November 2020
(Current as of February 2025)