Colonel Robert C. Zeese is the Deputy Commander, 513th Air Control Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. In this role he is responsible for organizing, training and equipping nearly 400 reservists to support the United States’ national security objectives with airborne tactical command and control.

Col. Zeese earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1998. In his 26 years of service, 12 of which were on active duty, he has held a variety of leadership positions to include Flight Commander, Training Evaluator, Chief of Operations and Assistant Director of Operations. He has served in Florida, Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma and has flown in combat operations that supported Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.

During his career as an experienced navigator, Col. Zeese has logged over 5,500 flying hours in both the E-3B/C/G and AC-130U. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the Command and Control Branch Chief in the Operations Directorate, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

EDUCATION

1998 Bachelor of Science, Foreign Area Studies, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2000 Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2005 Master of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma, Norman
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Master of Business Administration, University of Oklahoma, Norman
2020 Air War College, Non-residence

ASSIGNMENTS

1. July 1998-March 1999, Student, Training Squadron (VT) 4, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
2. March 1999-December 1999, Student 562d Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
3. December 1999-January 2003, E-3 Navigator, Scheduler, 963d Airborne Air Control Squadron (AACS), Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
4. January 2003-October 2005, AC-130U Fire Control Officer, Scheduler, 4th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. October 2005-May 2008 E-3 Instructor Navigator, Flight Commander, 964th AWACS, Tinker AFB, Okla
6. May 2008-June 2010 E-3 Flying Training Unit Evaluator Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 966th AACS, Tinker AFB, Okla
7. June 2010-January 2013, Evaluator Navigator, 970th AACS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
8. January 2013-September 2014, Chief of Mission Planning, 970th AACS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
9. September 2014-May 2015 Chief Navigator, 970th AACS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
10. May 2015-January 2019, Chief of Current Operations, 513th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), Tinker AFB, Okla.
11. January 2019-September 2020, Assistant Director of Operations, 513th OSS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
12. September 2020-June 2021, Assistant Director of Operations, 970th AACS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
13. June 2021-January 2022, Director of Operations, 513th OSS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
14. January 2022-August 2024, Command and Control Branch Chief, Air Force Reserve Command A3, Robins AFB, Ga.
15. August 2024-present, Deputy Commander 513th Air Control Group, Tinker AFB, Okla.

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: More than 5,5,00 hours, including more than 1,800 combat hours
Aircraft flown: E-3B/C/G and AC-130U

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with silver leaf cluster and four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and oak leaf cluster