Colonel Lori R. Hodge is the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Deputy Director for Space, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. She is responsible for supporting the Director of Public Affairs and U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations in creating and executing strategies to build informed public support for the Space Force and space power.
Colonel Hodge is a graduated force support squadron commander. Prior to the Pentagon, she was the Director of Public Affairs at Space Training and Readiness Command. Additionally, she has held a variety of public affairs positions at the Wing, Major Command and Air Staff levels, and in Joint and Coalition environments. Colonel Hodge deployed to Guyana, South America, in support of OPERATION NEW HORIZONS; Baghdad, Iraq, in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; and Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. She is a 2002 graduate from Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 847.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Angelo State University, Texas
2002 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2003 Defense Information Public Affairs Officer Course, Ft. George G. Meade, Md.
2007 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, George Mason University, Va.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2022 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, in-residence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2002 - June 2005, Chief of Community Relations, Nellis AFB, Nev. (June 2004 - September 2004, Public Affairs Officer, NEW HORIZONS, Guyana, South America)
2. June 2005 - August 2008, Chief of Outreach, Space and Missile Systems Center, Chief of Public Affairs, 61st Air Base Wing, Los Angeles AFB, Calif. (October 2006 – April 2007, Multi-National Force, Baghdad, Iraq)
3. August 2008 – December 2009, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology Civilian Institution Program, George Mason University, Va.
4. December 2009 - November 2012, Team lead for National Capitol Region Engagements, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. (October 2011 - November 2012, Chief of Press Desk Operations, International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan)
5. November 2012 - June 2014, Chief of Communication Integration, Chief of Plans, Programs and Resources, Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas
6. June 2014 - July 2016, Chief, Public Affairs and Band Officer Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas
7. July 2016 – July 2018, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, U.S. Pacific Air Forces Command, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
8. July 2018 – June 2020, Commander, 36th Force Support Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
9. June 2020 – July 2021, Instructor, Leader Development Course for Squadron Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
10. July 2021 – June 2022, student, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
11. July 2022 – June 2023, Director of Public Affairs, Space Training and Readiness Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002
First Lieutenant May 29, 2004
Captain May 29, 2006
Major June 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel April 1, 2017
Colonel August 1, 2023
(Current as of August 2023)