On 1 September 2024, Colonel Aaron D. Walenga officially retired from the United States Air Force after over 24 years of active duty service.  During that same time period, he joined the Foundation Academy family as the Leadership Skills Instructor and began teaching Speech and Debate, Leadership Skills Development, and Personal Finance to middle and high school students. 

Colonel Walenga received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2000. He began his career flying combat missions in the C-17A Globemaster III during Operations IRAQI AND ENDURING FREEDOM. He then attended Air Command Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL followed by two years in the USTRANSCOM/J3 directorate as a joint logistics planner and one year as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander USTRANSCOM. Col Walenga then cross-trained into the KC-135R/T Stratotanker, flew air refueling missions in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’s SENTINAL, and served as the Operations Officer for the 384th Air Refueling Squadron. He then commanded the 22d Operations Support Squadron, McConnell AFB, KS where he led support operations for over 500 aircrew and mission support personnel. After Command, Colonel Walenga served as a National Defense Fellow at the Congressional Research Service, followed by the Chief of Engagements, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison, the Pentagon, VA where he advised the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Chief of Space Operations on Congressional engagements and hearing preparation. He then led the air mobility requirements and capability development division for the Air Force Futures directorate, Headquarters Air Force prior to his final assignment as the Deputy Commander of the 621st Contingency Response Wing. Colonel Walenga was a Command Pilot with 3,500 hours in airlift and tanker aircraft, to include over 200 combat sorties and 900 combat hours.

EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science in Human Factors, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012 Master of Military Operational Art and Sciences, Air University, Ala.

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,500
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-1, C-17A, KC-135R/T

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School
2012 Distinguished Graduate, Air Command Staff College