Colonel Michael J. Lutton is the Commander, 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. where he leads more than 1,600 Air Force Airmen in support of the nation's land-based intercontinental ballistic missile force. The wing operates, maintains and secures 150 Minuteman III ICBMs, 15 missile alert facilities and 150 remote launch facilities covering an 8,500-square mile area in central North Dakota. The wing also maintains and operates eight UH-1N helicopters in support of missile field security. The wing provides global deterrence and defends America with the world's premier combat-ready ICBM force.
Colonel Lutton is a career space and missile officer. He has served in multiple weapon systems including the Peacekeeper Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system and the Milstar satellite communications system. Colonel Lutton is a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School. He also served as weapons officer instructor, Weapons Squadron Operations Officer and Weapons Squadron Commander. Colonel Lutton commanded the USAF's only group providing initial training for the nation's space and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) operations and ICBM and air launched cruise missile maintenance forces. Specifically the group conducts qualification training for ICBM, missile warning, space surveillance, space control, satellite operations, and joint interservice fundamentals. In addition, the group provides training to AFGSC and AFSPC senior staff, and instructor enhancement to support operational wings.
Colonel Lutton also served as a weapons officer in the 32d Air Operations Group and served in OPERATION Allied Force. In addition to his operations experience, Colonel Lutton completed staff tours at the Major Command and Headquarters Air Force level. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Lutton was the Deputy Director, Mission Assessment and Analysis, USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB, Neb.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Arts, Kent State University, Ohio
1990 Distinguished Graduate AFROTC
1995 Master of Science degree in Systems Management, Lesley College, Cambridge, Mass.
1997 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1998 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2001 Joint Doctrine Air Campaign Planners Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Joint Special Operations Planners Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2005 Distinguished Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Master of Arts, Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2010 Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2010 The University of Tennessee, Center for Executive Education, Knoxville, Tenn.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1991 - June 1991, Student, Missile Initial Qualification Training, 4315th CCTS,
Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
2. July 1991 - September 1992, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander and Standardization
Evaluation Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 400th Missile Squadron and 90th Operations
Group, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
3. October 1992 -- September 1993, Missile Combat Crew Commander, Training and Evaluation Flight
Commander, 400th Missile Squadron F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
4. September 1993 - June 1995, Senior Instructor Commander and Senior Evaluator Commander, 90th
Operations Group, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
5. June 1995 - December 1997, Crew Commander, Chief, Operations Training and Flight Commander,
Operations, 4th Space Operations Squadron, Schriever AFB, Colo.
6. January 1998 - June 1998, Student, Space Division, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. July 1998 - June 2000, Chief, Space Control and Deputy Chief, USAFE Special Technical Operations,
32d Air Operations Group, Ramstein AB, Germany
8. July 2000 - June 2001, Executive Officer, Assistant Director of Operations, Headquarters, USAFE,
Ramstein AB, Germany
9. July 2001 - June 2004, Instructor, Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, 328th Weapons
Squadron, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
10. July 2004 - June 2005, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. July 2005 - June 2007, Chief, Congressional Activities Branch, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air and Space
Operations, Headquarters, USAF and Chief, Space Operations, Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air
Force, Executive Action Group, Headquarters USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
12. June 2007 - June 2009, Commander, 328th Weapons Squadron, USAF Weapons School,
Nellis AFB, Nev.
13. July 2009 - July 2010, Student, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, Newport, R.I.
14. July 2010 - June 2012, Commander, 381st Training Group, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
15. June 2012 - June 2014, Deputy Director, Mission Assessment and Analysis, (J9) HQ USSTRATCOM,
Offutt AFB, Neb.
16. June 2014 - Present, Commander, 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Superior Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Air Force Oversees Ribbon Long
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF RANK
Second Lieutenant Sep. 26, 1990
First Lieutenant Sep. 26, 1992
Captain Sep. 26, 1994
Major Nov. 1, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel Sep. 1, 2006
Colonel Oct. 1, 2010
(Current as of June 2014)