Elizabeth A. D. Hanson

Military Professor & Senior Service Advisor National Security Affairs

Col., U.S. Air Force

Biography

Col. Hanson is the Air and Space Force Advisor to the President, Air Force Element Commander, Military Professor of National Security Affairs and George C. Kenney Professor of Air & Space Warfare Chair at the U.S. Naval War College. She is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Central Michigan University, and National Defense University. She served most recently as the 305th Air Mobility Wing Commander and has instructed at the U.S. Air Force C-17 Weapons School, was a Defense and Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) fellow and served in multiple directorates at Headquarters Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She is a career command pilot with 3600 flight hours.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5135

Reveal Email

Areas of Expertise

Aerospace
Command and Control
HA/DR
Joint Operations
Leadership
Space

Professional Highlights

2022

Commander, 305th Air Mobility Wing

Led 2,700 personnel in global mobility operations with 14 C-17, 16 KC-10 and 23 KC-46 aircraft, 2 airfields, 2 aerial ports and $187M budget to support national security objectives, combat operations, contingencies, & humanitarian relief efforts, including operations during the Israel crisis.

2020

Vice Commander, 521st Air Mobility Wing

Second in command of 2,000 personnel across 5,000 miles and 21 locations providing aircraft maintenance, command and control, and aeromedical evacuation for the Eastern Global Air Mobility Support System, including significant support for Operation Allied Refuge and Ukraine.

2017

Joint Staff J4: Chief Strategy Division, Air Mobility SME to CJCS

Led strategy & policy integration with CCMDS, Services, Government Agencies and allies. Developed engagements for whole of government, NATO, Worldwide Logistics Symposium, and Service 4 visits. CJCS & J4 advisor for deployment, distribution & air mobility during Syria, Iran and COVID crises.

2014

Commander, 517th Airlift Squadron

Led 131 personnel/11 C-17 and C-12F aircraft to plan/execute TRANSCOM, INDOPACOM and NORAD directed missions, including POTUS & HADR support. Led team in 11+ International/Joint exercises, hosted 15+ CODEL/STAFFDEL/International/Flag visits & commanded the largest Joint Arctic Circle Airdrop.

2012

Chief Plans and Programs, 15th Wing

Led team of 9 plus Total Force team through 12 exercises, Rim of the Pacific air operations support and 9x POTUS, SECDEF, NAOC, and Russian Open Skies treaty visits. Oversaw 10 wing plans, and identified OPLAN disconnects to PACAF. Responsible for 82 MOAs/$304K.

2008

HAF Staff: Senior Exec to A3/5; Branch Chief of Mobility in Force Structure Analyses

Supported senior level decision making in Air Staff, Joint Staff, Department of Defense and Interagency forums.

Education

M.S., Eisenhower School, National Defense University, 2017, National Resource Strategy

M.A., Central Michigan University, 2006, Education

B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1998, Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering

Related Credentials

Fellow, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), 2010

Air War College (correspondence), 2013

Air Command & Staff College (correspondence), 2008

U.S.A.F. Weapons School graduate (2004) and instructor, (2005-2008), C-17A

Leadership Decision Making, 2021, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education

Advanced Program in Logistics and Technology, 2019, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Leading Strategically, 2024, Center for Creative Leadership

Awards and Decorations

National Defense University Women Peace and Security Award
2017

National Capital Region Air Force Association Writing Award
2017

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit
2 Awards

Air Medal
4 Awards

Other Honors

Trailblazer of the Year
National Association of Women Business Owners-South Jersey, 2024

Inducted into New York State Veterans Hall of Fame
New York State Senate, 2024

External Memberships and Associations

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Material and external links contained herein are made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval War College, Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.