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BIO: Colonel Justin J. “Astro” Elliot

Colonel Justin “Astro” Elliott is the Commander of the 96th Operations Group at Eglin Air Force Base, FL where he oversees experimental test and evaluation of the United State Air Force’s (USAF’s) newest aircraft and weapons. He is the only person in Air Force history to complete all three elite flying programs: Fighter Weapons School, Test Pilot School, and the Thunderbirds.

Col. Elliot previously commanded two elite fighter squadrons: The 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron and the USAF Thunderbirds. He is a Yale University ROTC graduate with three engineering degrees. His combat time in the F-15E during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM is featured in the book Red Platoon.

As a test pilot, he flew more than 3,000 hours across 33 aircraft, with operational experience in the F-15, F-16, and F-35.

Col. Astro Elliott’s command as “Thunderbird 1” is featured in the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds, showcasing the team’s commitment to values and a culture of relentless excellence.

COLONEL JUSTIN J. “ASTRO” ELLIOTT

Col Justin “Astro” Elliott is the Division Chief for the Integrated Operations Division (N&NC J33 & J35) at NORAD and USNORTHCOM, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. In this capacity, Col Elliott supervises 200 operators from 9 U.S. and Canadian military branches through planning and execution of both current and future operations across all domains. Col Elliott and his team execute the critical homeland defense mission, create a global threat picture, and posture national leadership from both the US and Canada to respond swiftly to challenges from abroad.

Col Elliott entered the Air Force in 2005 with an ROTC commission from Yale University. He subsequently served as an F-15E and F-35 instructor and evaluator pilot, flying combat missions in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. After completing the USAF Weapons School, he served as Weapons Instructor and Operational Test Pilot in the 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, Nellis AFB, NV. After graduating from USAF Test Pilot School, he served as Experimental Test Pilot in the 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida. Col Elliott commanded the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada where he led test and evaluation of all 6 USAF fighters (F-35, F-22, F-15EX, F-15E, F-16, and A-10). Prior to his current assignment, Col Elliott served as Commander/Leader of the USAF Thunderbirds. As “Thunderbird 1,” he led the Air Force’s demonstration squadron through 150 airshows across 70 US and international cities while flying his F-16’s mere inches apart at more than 600mph.

Col Elliott is the only person in history to complete all 3 of the USAF’s elite flying programs: USAF Weapons School, USAF Test Pilot School, and the Thunderbirds.

EDUCATION

  • 2005 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
  • 2005 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
  • 2010 Master of Science, Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
  • 2011 United States Air Force Squadron Officer School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 2012 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 2014 United States Air Force Test Pilot School, Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, Air University, Edwards AFB, Calif.
  • 2018 Strategic Policy Fellowship, Air Command and Staff College, Office of Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
  • 2024 NATO Defense College, Air War College, Rome, Italy
  • 2025 Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Norfolk, Virginia

ASSIGNMENTS

  • 1. Aug 2005 – Jan 2006 Executive Officer, 436th Air Support Operations Squadron, Dover AFB, Delaware.
  • 2. Jan 2006 – Aug 2007 Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 87th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas
  • . Aug 2007 – Mar 2008 Student, F-15E Basic Course, 333rd Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  • 4. Mar 2008 – Oct 2010 F-15E Pilot/Instructor Pilot, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  • 5. Oct 2010 – Apr 2011 Chief, Wing Air-to-Air Tactics, 4th Operations Support Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
  • 6. Apr 2011 – Aug 2013 F-15E Division Commander, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 7. Aug 2013 – Jul 2014 Chief, Weapons and Integration, 53rd Test Management Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 8. Jul 2014 – Oct 2015 Student, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
  • 9. Oct 2015 – Aug 2017 F-15 Experimental Test Pilot/Flight Commander, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
  • 10. Aug 2017 – Sep 2018 Strategic Policy Fellow, Office of Secretary of Defense – Asia/Pacific South Asia, Washington, D.C.
  • 11. Sep 2018 – Dec 2021 Commander and Director of Operations, 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 12. Dec 2021 – Dec 2023 Thunderbird #1, Commander/Leader, USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
  • 13. Jan 2024 – July 2024 Student, NATO Defense University, Rome, Italy
  • 14. July 2024 – Present Division Chief, NORAD/USNORTHCOM Integrated Operations (J33/J35), Peterson SFB, Colorado
  • SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
  • 1. July 2017 – Sep 2018, Country Director – India, Office of Secretary of Defense – Policy, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a major
  • 2. July 2024 – July 2026, Division Chief, NORAD and USNORTHCOM J33 and J35, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, as a colonel

FLIGHT INFORMATION

  • Rating: Command Pilot
  • Flight hours: More than 2800
  • Aircraft flown: F-35A, F-15E, F-15C, Advanced F-15, X-62, F-16, F/A-18F, T-38C, T-6A, Mig-15, C-17, HC-130J, MQ-9, UH-60, KC-135, C-12, E300B, B377, B777, AB320, LJ-25, HU-16, SAAB-340, C-9, AN-2, U-6, TG-4, TG-9, DG1000, G-103
  • This section is for rated flight personnel only; delete entire section if not flight rated. List the member’s rating, flight hours, and aircraft flown. Use a colon with two spaces after the colon for rating, flight hours, and aircraft flown.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award
  • Ray Tenhoff Award (International, Flight Test)
  • Bob Hoover Award (International, Air Demonstration)
  • Defense Superior Service Medal
  • Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
  • Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • Non-Article 5 NATO Medal – International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2007 Distinguished Graduate, Air Education and Training Commander’s Trophy, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
  • 2011 Commandant’s Trophy, Squadron Officer School
  • 2012 Top Pilot and Top Paper, USAF Weapons School
  • 2015 Aaron C-dot Award, USAF Test Pilot School
  • 2025 Netflix Documentary “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds” Centered on 2023 Command of the USAF Thunderbirds
  • OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
  • Basic Jump Wings
  • Command Pilot Wings

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Second Lieutenant – June 1, 2005
  • First Lieutenant – June 1, 2007
  • Captain – June 1, 2009
  • Major – Nov 1, 2015
  • Lieutenant Colonel – Oct 1 2018
  • Colonel – April 1 2024

(Current as of June 2026)