Colonel Aaron Cochran is the Commander at Mission Delta 4, Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. In this capacity, he is responsible for delivering global strategic and theater missile warning and tracking to the United States and international partners, while also contributing to missile defense, space domain awareness, and technical intelligence missions in support of Combatant Commanders worldwide. Mission Delta 4 operates and supports 3 satellite constellations and 5 ground-based sensors at 12 locations worldwide.
Colonel Cochran served 11 years enlisted before receiving his commission in 2003 from the Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. His commissioned operational assignments include ICBM, Space Aggressor, Weapons School, the National Reconnaissance Office, Cyber, and Overhead Persistent Infrared Operations. Additionally, he has served on the Air Staff and the Headquarters Staff of the National Reconnaissance Office in the Mission Operations Directorate. Prior to his current position, Col Cochran was the Deputy Director, Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center located at Buckley SFB, Colorado.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Park University, Parkville, Mo.
2003 Distinguished Graduate, Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Trident University, Chandler, Ariz.
2009 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Master of Science and Technology Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Master of Science, Joint Campaign Planning & Strategy, National Defense University, Norfolk, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. October 1991 – July 1995, Missile Security Patrol, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. (1994, Operation Deny Flight, Pisa Air Base, Italy)
2. July 1995 – June 1999, Master Military Training Instructor, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. June 1999 – November 2001, Flight Security Controller, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
4. November 2001 – April 2003, Instructor, Town Patrol, Osan AB, South Korea
5. May 2003 – December 2003, Student, Officer Space Prerequisite Training/ICBM Operations REACT-A, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
6. June 2003 – December 2004, ICBM Deputy, Command Post, Commander, 10th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
7. December 2004 – September 2006, Evaluator, Senior Evaluator, 341st Operations Group, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
8. September 2006 – June 2008, Flight Commander, 10th Missile Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
9. June 2008 – July 2009, Flight Commander, 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo. (July 2008, Operating Enduring Freedom, Kandahar, Afghanistan)
10. July 2009 – December 2009, Student, Space Weapons School, 328th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
11. January 2010 – June 2012, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
12. June 2012 – June 2015, Instructor and Director of Operations, United States Air Force Space Weapons School, 328th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. (2013, Operation Enduring Freedom, Al Udeid, Qatar)
13. June 2015 – July 2016, Student National Intelligence University, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.
14. July 2016 – July 2018, Executive Officer, A3S, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
15. July 2018 – July 2019, Chief of Integration, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.
16. July 2019 – July 2021, Commander, Mission Operations Squadron, Buckley Space Force Base, Colo.
17. July 2021 – August 2022, Student, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, National Defense University, Norfolk, Va.
18. August 2022 – July 2023, Vice Commander, Space Delta 6, Schriever SFB, Colo.
19. July 2023 – July 2025, Deputy Director, Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center, Buckley SFB, Colo., as a colonel
20. July 2025 -- Present, Commander, Mission Delta 4 Buckley SFB, Colo
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2023 – July 2025, Deputy Director, Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center, Buckley SFB, Colo., as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with ten oak leaf clusters
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one star
Korean Defense Service Medal
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal with three stars
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” Device
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border & oak leaf
NATO Medal with one star
Defense Superior Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1991
Airman First Class 1992
Senior Airman 1994
Staff Sergeant 1998
Second Lieutenant 2003
First Lieutenant 2005
Captain 2007
Major 2013
Lieutenant Colonel 2018
Colonel 2024