Bio
Capt Jordan D. Matthews is an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies and the Education Officer for AFROTC Detachment 250, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. He leads, recruits, trains, mentors, counsels, and evaluates cadets as prospective Department of the Air Force (DAF) officers. He is also responsible for the development, management, and execution of all Detachment 250 education efforts. Capt. Matthews collaborates with university partners across four accredited institutions to ensure seamless support for the program. He instructs the college curriculum covering Foundations of the DAF, DAF History, Leadership, and National Security Studies.
Capt Matthews entered the Air Force in September 2016 from Sterling Heights, Michigan, and graduated from Undergraduate RPA Training in August 2017. He reported to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, 2018 as a mission-qualified Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot supporting Air Force Special Operations in the 33 Special Operations Squadron. During this time, Capt Matthews was an initial cadre for a Special Operations Command-directed mission to test, evaluate, and develop a tactical unmanned aerial system in support of SOCOM directives. He then reported to Creech AFB, where he was a Flight Commander for the 15 Attack Squadron, overseeing the welfare, discipline, and professional development of 43 Airmen. Before his current position, he was the IG director of exercises, where he planned, directed, and evaluated 15 yearly Wing-level exercise requirements to ensure compliance among 28 units across four states, to identify areas of risk to be mitigated by updating operating procedures.
Education
- 2016 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Design Technology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
- 2022 Squadron Officer’s School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
- 2024 Master of Education, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona.
Awards and Decorations
- Aerial Achievement Medal with sixteen oak leaf clusters
- Air and Space Commendation Medal
Assignments
- September 2016 – September 2017, URT Student, 558th Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas
- July 2018 – June 2019, MQ-9 Pilot, 33d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM.
- June 2019 – May 2020, MQ-9 Pilot/Assistant Flight Commander, 33d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM.
- May 2020 – June 2021, MQ-9 Pilot/Scheduling Officer, 33d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM.
- June 2021 – January 2022, MQ-9 Pilot/Chief of Accessions, 33d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM.
- January 2022 – March 2022, MQ-9 IP/Chief of A&S, Cannon AFB, NM.
- March 2022 – September 2022, MQ-9 IP, 15 Attack Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev.
- September 2022 – April 2023, MQ-9 IP/Chief of Special Plans, 15 Attack Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev.
- April 2023 – September 2024, MQ-9 IP/ Flight Commander, 15 Attack Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev.
- September 2024 – June 2025, MQ-9 Pilot/IG Director of Exercises, 432d Wing/432d AEW, Creech AFB, Nev.