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Cornell AFROTCDetachment 520Ever Upward

Detachment 520Cornell University

Official portrait of Lt. Col. Nicholas G. Brougham in service dress before the United States flag.

Commander · Professor of Aerospace Studies

Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas G. Brougham

Lt. Col. Nicholas Brougham is the Commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 520 at Cornell University. As Commander, Lt. Col. Brougham also serves as the Department Chair and the Professor of Aerospace Studies. He is responsible for the four-year education and training of United States Air Force and Space Force cadets.

Career

Lt. Col. Brougham commissioned in 2008 through Air Force Officer Training School after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University. He has since earned two postgraduate degrees. He is a Master Navigator with more than 3,000 hours in the C-130, MC-130, and AC-130 aircraft. Prior to his current position, Lt. Col. Brougham was the Commander's Action Group Director at Allied Special Operations Forces Command, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium.

Education

  • 2006 — Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems, Pennsylvania State University, PA

  • 2014 — Master of Science, Management of Integrated Logistics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL

  • 2014 — Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

  • 2021 — Master of Operational Studies, Military Operational Art/Science, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS

  • 2021 — U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS

Assignments

  1. January 2008 – October 2009, Student, Undergraduate Navigator Training, 562d Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, TX

  2. October 2009 – December 2010, Student, MC-130W Navigator Training, 551st Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM

  3. December 2010 – November 2013, Scheduling Officer, Standardization & Evaluation Liaison Officer, and Assistant Flight Commander, 73d Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM

  4. November 2013 – May 2016, Flight Commander and Program Manager, 551st Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM

  5. May 2016 – August 2017, Wing Executive Officer, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, NM

  6. August 2017 – September 2019, Plans & Programs Chief and Assistant Operations Officer, 417th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL

  7. September 2019 – September 2020, Group Chief of Training, 492d Special Operations Training Group, Hurlburt Field, FL

  8. September 2020 – July 2021, Student, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS

  9. July 2021 – June 2024, Director, Commander's Action Group, Allied Special Operations Forces Command, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium

  10. June 2024 – Present, Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 520, Cornell University, NY

Summary of joint assignments

  • July 2021 – June 2024, Director, Commander's Action Group, Allied Special Operations Forces Command, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium, as a Lieutenant Colonel

Flight information

Rating
Master Navigator
Flight hours
More than 3,000
Aircraft flown
C-130, MC-130, and AC-130

Major awards and decorations

  • Defense Meritorious Service Medal

  • Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

  • Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters

  • Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters

  • Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Effective dates of promotion

  • Second LieutenantJanuary 18, 2008
  • First LieutenantJanuary 18, 2010
  • CaptainJanuary 18, 2012
  • MajorOctober 1, 2017
  • Lieutenant ColonelDecember 1, 2022
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