Lt. Col. Lonnie A. Mazuranich is the Interim Deputy Commander, 150th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. He assists the wing commander in overseeing all aspects of the 150th Special Operations Wing, including the wing's Active Association with the 58th Special Operations Wing to deliver mission-ready aircraft and student aircrew training, the 250th Intelligence Squadron, and the 150th Mission Support Group. Additionally, He serves as the Commander, 150th Operations Group, where he leads a diverse team responsible for providing combat ready aircrew training in support of global personnel-recovery missions.
Mazuranich began his military career in 2003, enlisting in the United States Army as an intelligence analyst following initial training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. His early assignments included service with the 2nd Infantry Division’s 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion in South Korea and later with the 425th Airborne Brigade Combat Team at Fort Richardson, Alaska. In 2006, he transitioned to the New Mexico Air National Guard, where he served as an operations intelligence specialist with the 150th Operations Support Flight.
He earned his commission through the Academy of Military Science in 2011 and completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, followed by HH-60G Pave Hawk and later HC-130J Combat King II qualification training. Mazuranich has held a variety of operational and leadership roles within the rescue community, including assignments with the 101st Rescue Squadron, Gabreski Air National Guard Base, N.Y., and commanded the 150th Security Forces Squadron and the 188th Rescue Squadron in New Mexico. His operational background also includes aerial reconnaissance and intelligence collection in support of theater requirements in South Korea. He further served with Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa in support of expeditionary combat search and rescue operations. Prior to his current position, the lieutenant colonel was the commander, 188 Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
EDUCATION
2006 Commandant’s List, Warrior Leaders Course, Fort Richardson, Alaska
2008 Airman Leadership School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2009 Honor Graduate, Bachelor of Arts, Intelligence Studies, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2012 Order of Daedalians Leadership Award, Specialized Undergraduate Helicopter Training, Fort Rucker, Ala.
2012 Distinguished Graduate, Specialized Undergraduate Helicopter Training, Fort Rucker, Ala.
2015 Honor Graduate, Master of Arts, Management, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2015 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Top Graduate, Security Forces Officer Course, Camp Bullis, Texas
2020 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Distinguished Graduate, HC-130J Formal Training Unit, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2022 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2024 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2003 – March 2004, Student, Common Ground Station operations course, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
2. March 2004 – February 2005, CGS Operator, 102nd Military Intelligence Battalion, Analysis and Control Element, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea
3. February 2005 – July 2005, Student, Intelligence Analyst Course, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
4. July 2005 – August 2005, Student, Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga.
5. August 2005 – July 2006, Intelligence Analyst, 425th Brigade Combat Team, Fort Richardson, Alaska
6. January 2007 – June 2007, Student, Operations Intelligence Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas
7. June 2007 – January 2011, Operations Intelligence Specialist, 150 Operations Support Flight, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
8. January 2011 – March 2011, Student, Academy of Military Science, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. November 2011 – June 2012, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
10. July 2012 – February 2013, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Helicopter Training, Fort Rucker, Ala.
11. April 2013 – October 2014, Student, HH-60G Basic Qualification Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
12. December 2014 – May 2015, Scheduling/Training Officer, 101st Rescue Squadron, Gabreski ANGB, N.Y.
13. May 2015 – October 2015, Plans Officer, 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
14. October 2015 – March 2016, Tactics Officer, 101st Rescue Squadron, Gabreski ANGB, N.Y.
15. March 2016 – May 2016, Student, HH-60G Instructor Pilot Upgrade Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
16. May 2016 – November 2016, HH-60G Assistant Operations Officer, 188th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
17. November 2016 – October 2017, Executive Officer, 150th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
18. October 2017 – May 2018, Flight Commander, 188th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
19. May 2018 – September 2020, Commander, 150th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
20. September 2020 – August 2021, Student Pilot, HC-130J, 188th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
21. August 2021 – September 2023, Assistant Operations Officer, 188th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
22. September 2023 – September 2024, Operations Officer, 188th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
23. September 2024 – February 2026, Commander, 188th Rescue Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
24. February 2026 – Present, Commander, 150th Operations Group, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
25. August 2026 – Present, Deputy Wing Commander, 150th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2022 – December 2022, Executive Officer to The Adjutant General, Joint Force Headquarters, New Mexico National Guard, Santa Fe, N.M., as a major
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight hours: more than 1,800
Aircraft flown: DA-20, T-6A, TH-1H, HH-60G, HH-60W, MC-130J, HC-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Technical Sergeant June 1, 2010
Second Lieutenant March 3, 2011
First Lieutenant March 3, 2013
Captain March 3, 2015
Major March 3, 2019
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 9, 2023
(Current as of August 2026)