Lt. Col. Downey is the Vice Commander, Space Delta 4 (DEL 4), Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. He supports an 800-person, total force, multi-national organization, operating three constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites and two types of Ground-Based Radars (GBRs). DEL 4 provides strategic and theater missile warning to Combatant Commanders. DEL 4 also performs missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence missions in support of national security objectives.
Lt. Col. Downey was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Arizona State University. He has served in numerous staff and operational disciplines including Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) operations, Space Situational Awareness, Special Technical Operations (STO), missile warning and satellite operations.
Prior to his current assignment Lt. Col. Downey was the Executive Officer for the Satellite Operations Brigade at Peterson Space Force Base responsible for payload management and planning for Narrowband and Wideband satellite communications.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Phoenix Tempe Arizona
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2010 Masters in Aeronautical Science –Space Studies, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2013 Command and General Staff College Ft Gordon, GA
ASSIGNMENTS
March 2002 - October 2003, Student, ICBM Operations Training, Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), CA
October 2003 --October 2004, ICBM Missile Combat Crew Deputy Commander, 320th Missile Squadron FE Warren AFBWY
October 2004 – October 2007, ICBM Missile Combat Crew Commander, 320th Missile Squadron FE Warren AFB WY
November 2007 – May 2008, Deputy Chief of Operations 82ndAirborne Kandahar Afghanistan
December 2008 – June 2010, Deputy Chief Command Post FE Warren AFB WY
July 2010 – February 2011, Deputy Chief Force Enhancement Joint Space Operations Center Vandenberg AFB CA
April 2011 – July 2011, Assistant Operations Officer, 1st Space Battalion Peterson AFB Colorado Springs CO
July 2011 – May 2013, Commercial Imagery Team Deputy Team leader 2nd Space Company Peterson AFB Colorado Springs CO – Forward Bahrain
July 2013 – October 2013, Student, Command and General Staff College Ft Gordan GA
December 2013 – June 2014 Chief of Space Plans and Exercises USARPAC Ft Shafter HI
June 2014 – June 2018, Chief Special Technical Operations, USARPAC Ft Shafter HI
June 2018 – February 2020, Commander 1st Space Company Joint Tactical Ground Station, Ft Carson, Co
February 2020 – January 2022, Brigade Executive Officer, Satellite Operations, Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs Co
August 2022 – Present, Vice Commander, Space Delta 4, Buckley Space Force Base, Co
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
The Soldiers Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
The Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant October 29, 2002
First Lieutenant October 12, 2004
Captain October 14, 2006
Major June 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2020
(Current as of August 2022)