Colonel Donna M. Whittaker is the Commander of the 908th Mission Support Group, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. She is responsible for the leadership and management of agile combat support squadrons for a dual-mission wing that provides combat forces to combatant commanders and training for MH-139A helicopter aircrew. The 908th MSG is comprised of the 25th Aerial Port Squadron, 908th Civil Engineer Squadron, 908th Force Support Squadron, 908th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 908th Security Forces Squadron.
Colonel Whittaker recently graduated from the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. During her studies she enrolled in the Advanced Strategic Art Program and the Regional Studies Program covering Africa. Col Whittaker’s previous assignment was as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Chief, Military Personnel Division, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base Georgia.
Colonel Whittaker entered the Air Force on Aug. 29, 1997. She graduated from Pace University in New York and was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, in November 1997. She has 26 years of service in the Air Force Reserve. Her experience includes 12 years as a Logistics Readiness Officer and 14 years as a Force Support Officer.
In 2010, Col. Whittaker deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Art, Computer Science, Pace University, New York, N.Y.
1999 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2015 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Doctorate of Business Administration, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Fla.
2020 Air War College, by seminar
2023 Master of Strategic Studies, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1997 – July 2004, Transportation Officer, 35th Aerial Port Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base (AFB), N.J.
2. July 2004 – September 2006, Logistics Readiness Officer, 622d Regional Support Group, Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB), Ga.
3. September 2006 – May 2009, Logistics Readiness Officer, 80th Aerial Port Squadron, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
4. May 2009 – October 2010, Executive Officer, 94th Mission Support Group, Dobbins ARB, Ga. (April 2010 – October 2010, Executive Officer, Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq)
5. October 2010 – September 2012, Deputy Director of Personnel, Readiness Management Group, Robins AFB, Ga.
6. September 2012 – November 2014, Director of Equal Opportunity, 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla.
7. November 2014 – November 2017, Liaison Officer, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick AFB, Fla.
8. December 2017 – December 2020, Commander, 413th Force Support Flight, Robins AFB, Ga.
9. January 2021 – July 2022, IMA to the Chief, Military Personnel Division, HQ Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB, Ga.
10. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
11. July 2023 – September 2023, Deputy Director, HAF/A1 Personnel Policy, Pentagon
12. October 2023 – Present, Commander, 908 Mission Support Group, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with six leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with 6 oakleaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 hourglass devices
Air and Space Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Nov 20, 1997
First Lieutenant Nov 20, 1999
Captain Oct 1, 2002
Major April 30, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 1, 2017
Colonel, Apr 1, 2023
Current as of February 2024