BIOGRAPHY

UNITED  STATES  AIR  FORCE

MATTHEW R. MOUNTCASTLE

Colonel Matthew R. Mountcastle is the Commander, 65th Air Base Group, Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. The Group is composed of four squadrons supporting combatant commanders worldwide. He leads over 1,200 men and women at two installations, Lajes Field, Portugal and Morón Air Base, Spain, managing resources valued at $ 4.4 billion. The Group provides power projection platforms for US and Allied air operations by maintaining combat support and global command and control capabilities. Additionally, Colonel Mountcastle serves as the installation commander for US Forces at Lajes Field, fulfilling the duties of the Commander, US Forces Azores in accordance with US and Portuguese bilateral agreements.   

Originally from Santa Ana, CA, Col Mountcastle was commissioned in 2001 upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy.  He has served in diverse roles in the Force Support career field to include Squadron Command.  As a Political Affairs Strategist he served in Taiwan.  His assignments include tours in the Pacific, Europe, Washington DC, and corporate America.

EDUCATION:

2001 Bachelors of Science, Political Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL

2004 Master’s Degree, Human Resource Management, Troy State University, AL

2005 Squadron Officer School (Top Third), Maxwell AFB, AL

2010 Air and Command Staff College, Correspondence

2011 Education with Industry, Services Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Orlando, FL

2015 Master’s Degree, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College,

Maxwell AFB, AL

2019 Air War College, Correspondence

2024 Master’s Degree, Business Administration, University of Maryland Global Campus, MD

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.August 2001 - February 2002, Awaiting Pilot Training, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

2.February 2002 - September 2004, Food Service Officer, later, Assistant Flight Commander, 355th Services Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ

3.September 2004 - August 2007, Executive Officer to Director of Services, later, Issues Team Member, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, HI

4.September 2007 - August 2010, Sustainment Services Flight Commander, later, Operations Officer, 52d Force Support Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, Germany

5.September 2010 - June 2011, Education with Industry Student, Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, Air Force Institute of Technology, Orlando, FL

6.July 2011 - August 2012, Chief, Lodging, Fitness, Library Policy, later, Chief, Uniforms and Recognition Policy Branch, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC

7.September 2012 - July 2014 Chief, Assignment, Manpower, and Systems Integration, Air Force General Officer Management, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC

8.June 2014 – June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

9.June 2015 – June 2017, Commander, 9th Force Support Squadron, Beale AFB, CA  

10.June 2017 - June 2020, Air Force Programs Officer, Security Cooperation Office (DSCA), American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan

11.June 2020 – July 2022, Director, Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Seventh Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

12.July 2022 – February 2023, Chief, Evaluations, Promotions, and Recognition Branch, HQ Air Force Personnel Center, JBSA-Randolph, TX

13.February 2023- July 2025, Chief, Sustainment and Transition Division, HQ Air Force Personnel Center, JBSA-Randolph, TX

14.July 2025-Present, Commander, 65th Air Base Group, Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Air Force Achievement Medal

Army Achievement Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001

First Lieutenant May 30, 2003

Captain May 30, 2005

Major February 1, 2011

Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2016

Colonel December 1, 2022

(Current as of July 2025)