Col Randy Carlson is the Deputy Commander of Mission Delta 4 at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado. This delta is responsible for delivering strategic and theater missile warning 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. It operates and supports three satellite constellations and two ground-based sensors at ten locations worldwide.
Col Carlson entered the Air Force in May 2001 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served as an Air Force physicist until transferring into the Space Force as an acquisition manager in August 2021. His distinguished military career has been packed with leadership, education, deployments, and technical management experiences. He served as a Materiel Leader at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Virginia.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Physics, USAF Academy, Colorado
2002 Master of Science, Physics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Doctor of Philosophy, Astronomy, New Mexico State University
2015 Master of Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (distinguished graduate)
2021 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama (academic distinction)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2001–August 2002, Graduate student in physics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
2. August 2002–August 2003, Space control systems physicist & project manager, Spacecraft Component Technology Branch, Space Vehicles Directorate, Air Force Research Lab, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
3. August 2003–May 2005, Optical research scientist, Starfire Optical Range, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
4. March 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom buildup planner, Plans and Programs Office, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq
5. April 2004–June 2004, Liaison Officer to the 13 Combat Support Command while Airmen filled in lieu of Army taskings, 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq
6. June 2004–August 2004, RC-12 ground-penetrating-RADAR product analyst & liaison officer to the 2nd & 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq
7. May 2005–May 2007, Instructor of Physics & Director of Observatory, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
8. June 2007–December 2010, Graduate student in astronomy and planetary science researcher, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
9. December 2010–July 2014, Program manager and advanced technology planner, Space Systems Program Office, Signal Intelligence Directorate, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Virginia
10. July 2012–November 2012, Deputy Mission Commander, Airborne Laser Imaging Research Testbed program, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
11. July 2014–June 2015, Graduate student and distinguished graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
12. June 2015–July 2018, Assistant Professor of Physics, Director of the Center for Physics Education Research, and Graduation Activities Committee Lead, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
13. July 2018–June 2020, Materiel Leader and Chief, Information and Engineering Science Branch, Air Force Office of Scientific Research headquarters, Arlington, Virginia
14. June 2020–June 2021, Graduate student, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
15. June 2021–June 2022, Missile Warning Capability Area Integrator, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
16. June 2022–July 2023, Deputy Director, Military Advisory Group for Operation Inherent Resolve, Baghdad, Iraq
17. August 2023—June 2025, Technical Director, Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with “C” device
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
PUBLICATIONS
1. “Spatial and Season Variations in Saturn’s Haze and Vertical Phosphine Distribution at 3 Microns,” 2010
2. “Aircraft and Air Force Bases Powered by Compact Nuclear Reactors: Solutions to Projecting Power in Highly Contested Environments and Fossil Fuel Dependence,” 2016
3. “Airspace Surveillance to Support A2/AD Operations,” 2016
4. “Adapting Air Force Test and Evaluation to Emerging System Needs,” 2017
5. “Exoplanet Science in the Classroom: Learning Activities for an Introductory Physics Course,” 2018
6. “The Air Force Academy’s Trip to Guernsey, Wyoming to View the 2017 Great American Eclipse,” 2018
7. “An Overview of Teaching Physics for Undergraduates in the Engineering Environments,” 2019
8. “Clausewitz in Space: Friction in Space Strategy and Operations,” 2022
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2003 Flight Outstanding Contributor, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2004 Air Force Research Laboratory Phillips Site Company Grade Officer of the Year, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
2012 National Reconnaissance Office Field Grade Officer of the Year, Chantilly, Virginia
2014 Graduation speaker, Brush High School, Brush, Colorado
2019 Air Force Office of Scientific Research Field Grade Officer of the Year and Peer of the Year, Arlington, Virginia
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major Jan. 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2016
Colonel May 1, 2022
(Current as of July 2025)