Lt Col Ian P. Harper serves as the Commander, 233d Space Communications Squadron, Greeley Air National Guard Station, Colorado. The 233d Space Communications Squadron provides maintenance and communication networks for the nation’s only survivable and endurable missile warning and nuclear detonation detection capability. When mobilized for state active duty, the 233d Space Communications Squadron provides support to the citizens of Colorado during disaster response and relief activities at the direction of the Governor, State of Colorado.
Lt Col Harper is a 2008 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served eight years in various nuclear missions on active duty prior to joining the Colorado Air National Guard in 2016. He transitioned into space operations after joining the 137th Space Warning Squadron and was certified as a Space and Missile Warning Officer and Field Commander on the Mobile Ground System. In 2020, he graduated from the United States Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He formerly served as the Functional Area Manager responsible for a wide range of space missions across the Air National Guard portfolio. He is married to Megan, and together they have two daughters, Neve and Noa.
EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering Management, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2008 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2013 Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
2020 USAF Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2021 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2025 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2008 – Apr 2009, student, Undergraduate Space Training and ICBM Initial Qualification Training, Vandenberg AFB, CA.
2. Apr 2009 – May 2010, Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 321st Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, WY.
3. May 2010 – Mar 2011, ICBM Evaluator Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, 90th Operations Group, F.E. Warren AFB, WY
4. Mar 2011 – Nov 2011, Missile Combat Crew Commander, 321st Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, WY.
5. Nov 2011 – May 2012, ICBM Instructor Missile Combat Crew Commander, 90th Operations Support Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, WY.
6. Jun 2012 – Mar 2013, ICBM Combat Crew Flight Commander, 321st Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, WY.
7. Mar 2013 – Apr 2016, Operations Flight Commander, 702nd Munitions Support Squadron, Buechel Air Base, Germany
8. Apr 2016 – Jan 2018, Space and Missile Warning Officer, 137th Space Warning Squadron, Greeley Air National Guard Station, CO.
9. Jan 2018 – Nov 2021, Director of Operations, 137th Space Warning Squadron, Greeley Air National Guard Station, CO.
10. Dec 2021 – Sep 2023, Missile Warning Functional Area Manager, National Guard Bureau – Space Operations, Peterson SFB, CO.
11. Sep 2023 – Oct 2024, Space Electromagnetic Warfare Functional Area Manager, National Guard Bureau – Space Operations, Peterson SFB, CO.
12. Nov 2024 – present, Commander, 233d Space Communications Squadron, Greeley Air National Guard Station, CO.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Army Achievement Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” Device