Colonel Michelle K. Idle

Col. Michelle K. Idle serves as the Deputy Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. She is responsible for managing the research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of space and missile systems, command and control, launch, and operational satellite systems. Space Systems Command manages a $15 billion annual budget for the DoD and employs 15,600 professionals to develop, acquire, launch, field and sustain space capabilities that protect joint warfighters and national interests in space.

Col. Idle was commissioned in 1993 from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. She served eight years on active duty prior to transferring to the Air Force Reserve. Col. Idle has held a variety of positions in research and development, program management, technical intelligence, space operations, and academics.  She directed the United State Strategic Command’s Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element, a unit of Navy, Air Force and Marine Reservists developing intelligence products for the Joint Space Operations Center.

Prior to her current position, Col. Idle served as the Mobilization Assistant (MA) to the Commander, Space Systems Command.  As the senior Air Force Reserve Officer, she provided direction for the organizational policy, strategy and governance matters related to Reserve Component for the Command as well as across the space acquisition career field. Additionally, she led special projects and acted on behalf of the Commander as needed. 

 

EDUCATION

1993 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Mechanics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1994 Master of Science, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
 

ASSIGNMENTS

1. August 1993 – August 1994, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

2. August 1994 – June 1997, Spacecraft Structures Technology Manager, Phillips Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

3. July 1997 – June 1999, Instructor & Budget Officer, Department of Engineering Mechanics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

4. July 1999 – September 2001, Assistant Professor & Executive Officer, Department of Engineering Mechanics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

5. October 2001 – October 2002, Space Based Laser Structural Dynamics Engineer, Space and Missile Systems Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

6. November 2002 – July 2005, Lead Modeling Engineer, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

7. July 2005 – July 2008, IMA to Chief, Space Division, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

8. July 2008 – June 2014, IMA to Deputy Commander, Space, Missile and Intelligence Forces Group, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

9. July 2014 – July 2016, Deputy Director, U.S. Strategic Command/J2 Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element, Buckley AFB, Colo.

10. July 2016 – April 2018, IMA to Director, Launch Enterprise, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

11. April 2018 - May 2020, IMA to the Director, Mission Operations Directorate and Director, MOD Office of Continuity, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Va.

12. May 2020 - September 2021, IMA to the Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Virginia

13. September 2021 – January 2024, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

14. January 2024 – present, Deputy Commander, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.

 

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

July 2014 – July 2016, Deputy Director, U.S. Strategic Command/J2 Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element, Buckley AFB, Colo., as a lieutenant colonel

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal

 

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

2000 Registered Professional Engineer, State of Colorado

 

OCCUPATIONAL BADGES

Master Space Badge
Senior Acquisition and Financial Management Badge

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant June 2, 1993
First Lieutenant June 2, 1995
Captain June 2, 1997
Major June 2, 2004
Lieutenant Colonel June 2, 2011
Colonel Aug. 1, 2016

(Current as of December 2024)