Colonel Tony Wickman is the Commander, Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, a field operating agency reporting to the Secretary of the Air Force Director of Public Affairs, with more than 270 people at seven locations. The agency provides global Combat Camera and video production capabilities and specialized program management for the public affairs career field. Programs managed by the agency’s  team include establishing standards, researching, testing, and purchasing equipment and systems, public web hosting for the Air Force, archiving and measuring distribution of products, and public affairs intellectual property management.

A 1996 graduate of the University of Florida, Colonel Wickman entered the Air Force as an enlisted Security Forces member in April 1997.  He was selected for Officer Training School and completed Basic Officer Training in June 2001. Prior to his current position, he served as the Pacific Air Forces director of public affairs at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

EDUCATION

1996, Bachelor of Science degree in public relations, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
1997, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
1997, Distinguished Graduate, Air Base Defense Ground Combat School, Camp Bullis, Texas
1997, Law Enforcement Technical School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2001, Master of Arts in human relations degree, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
2001, Air Force Basic Officer Training, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2001, Aerospace Basic Course in residence, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2002, Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course in residence, Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
2004, Information Operations Fundamentals Course by correspondence, Vermont ANG
2004, Information Warfare Applications Course in residence, College of Aerospace Doctrine and Research, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
2006, Squadron Officer School in residence, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2008, Joint Expeditionary Public Affairs Course in residence, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
2011, Air Command and Staff College by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012, Joint Intermediate Public Affairs Course in residence, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
2016, Instructor Training Course in residence, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
2017, Joint Senior Public Affairs Course in residence, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
2018, Air War College by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

ASSIGNMENTS

1. April 1997 - August 1997, Trainee, Basic Military Training and Security Police Law Enforcement Technical School, 320th Training Squadron/343rd TRS, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. August 1997 - November 1998, Installation Entry Controller and Desk Sergeant/Central Security Controller, 72nd Security Forces Squadron, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma (January 1998 - May 1998, Installation Patrolman/Vehicle Search Team Member, 4404th Security Forces Squadron, Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, Prince Sultan AB, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
3.  November 1998 - January 2000, Installation Patrolman and Training Instructor, 51st SFS, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
4. January 2000 - March 2001, Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge for Resources and Armory, 731st Munitions Support Squadron, Araxos AB, Greece
5. April 2001 - June 2001, Student, Basic Officer Training, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
6. July 2001 - June 2003, Deputy Chief of Community Relations and then Chief of Internal Information, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California
7. July 2003 - January 2006, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, Alaskan NORAD Region, Joint Task Force-Alaska, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
8. January 2006 - May 2008, Chief of Public Affairs, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Oklahoma (January 2007 – May 2007, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti)
9. June 2008 - August 2010, Chief of Executive Issues and then Chief of Operations, United States Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs, Ramstein AB, Germany (August 2009 – March 2010, Public Affairs Officer, Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Camp Wright, Afghanistan)
10. August 2010 - June 2011, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Programs (Education With Industry-USAA), San Antonio, Texas
11. June 2011 - August 2013, Deputy Chief of Public Communications and then Deputy Chief of Field Operations, Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas (June 2012 – November 2012, Combat Camera/Visual Information Planner, HQ U.S. European Command Information Operations and Special Activities Directorate, Operation ASSURED VOICE, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany)
12. August 2013 - June 2016, Chief of Public Affairs, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany (April 2015 – October 2015, Chief of Public Affairs, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan)
13. June 2016 - July 2018, Deputy Commandant, Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
14. July 2018 - June 2020, Commander, 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina
15. June 2020 - June 2022, Director, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
16. June 2022 - present, Commander, Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three bronze star devices
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” device
NATO Medal with three bronze star devices

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

2021, PACAF Major Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Award for PA Communication Effectiveness
2020, PACAF Major Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Award for PA Communication Effectiveness
2020, PACAF Best Innovative Program Award
2019, AFPAA Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award (senior officer category)
2019, AFPAA Best Crisis Communication Award
2016, DINFOS Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award (senior officer category)
2015, Air Force Brig. Gen. Harry J. Dalton Jr. (Best PA Program) Award
2015, United States Air Forces in Europe Best Innovative Program Award
2015, Air Combat Command Best Crisis Communication Award
2014, USAFE Public Affairs Communication Excellence Outstanding Field Grade Officer of the Year
2014, USAFE Best Crisis Communication Award
2013, AFPAA Best Innovative Program Award
2012, Air Force Public Affairs Communication Excellence Outstanding FGO of the Year
2011, DoD/AF Best Blog
2009, HQ USAFE Public Affairs Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year
2009, Air Force Brig. Gen. Harry J. Dalton Jr. Award
2008, Air Force Best Crisis Communication Award
2008, HQ USAFE Public Affairs Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year
2007, 71st FTW Wing Staff Agencies CGO of the Year
2006, Air Education and Training Command Outstanding Public Affairs CGO of the Year
2003, Air Force Materiel Command Media Contest, First Place, Tabloid Newspaper
2003, AFMC PA Achievement Awards, First Place, Director’s Excellence Award – Internal Information

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant - June 29, 2001
First Lieutenant - June 29, 2003
Captain - June 29, 2005
Major - September 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel - September 1, 2016
Colonel - July 1, 2022

(Current as of July 2023)