Brig. Gen. Michael E. Conley is the Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He is responsible for implementing and directing operational command policy for AFSOC’s worldwide special operations units including 20,800 personnel, approximately 300 aircraft and $17 billion in assets.
Brig. Gen. Conley received his commission through the United States Air Force Academy in May 1996. Since completing pilot training in 1998, he has operational experience flying the UH-1N, MH-53 and CV-22, with the majority of his assignments in special operations aviation. During his career, Brig. Gen. Conley has served multiple staff assignments, including the Joint Staff as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Headquarters Air Force. He has commanded a squadron, wing and multiple deployed special operations air components.
Prior to assuming his current role, Brig. Gen. Conley served as the Director of Strategy, Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was responsible for force structure planning, programming, doctrine and requirements for the nation’s airlift and air refueling force.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 Master of Science, Management, University of Maryland University College, Md.
2006 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Master of Arts, Communication, George Mason University, Va. (Air Force Intern Program)
2010 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
2017 Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, N.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1997–August 1997, Student Pilot, T-37, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. August 1997–July 1998, Student Pilot, UH-1N, Fort Rucker, Ala.
3. July 1998–August 2001, UH-1N IP/Executive Officer, 1st Helicopter Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md.
4. August 2001–July 2002, Student Pilot, MH-53J, 551st Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
5. July 2002–August 2004, MH-53J/M Instructor Pilot, 20th SOS, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. August 2004–February 2007, MH-53M Evaluator Pilot/Flight Commander, 21st SOS, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
7. February 2007–July 2007, Assistant Operations Officer, 352nd Operations Support Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, U.K.
8. July 2007–December 2008, Air Force Intern Program-Strategic Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.
9. December 2008–August 2009, Chief, Operations Team, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. August 2009–June 2011, Chief, Wing Safety/CV-22 Pilot, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
11. June 2011–July 2013, Commander, 58th OSS, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
12. July 2013–July 2014, Student, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
13. July 2014–January 2015, Branch Chief, Joint Staff, J-7, Joint Lessons Learned Division, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
14. January 2015–June 2016, Deputy Director, Command Advisory Group/Special Assistant to the Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
15. June 2016–June 2018, Vice Commander, 27th SOW, Cannon AFB, N.M.
16. June 2018–June 2020, Commander, 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
17. June 2020–July 2022, Deputy Commander, Combined Force Space Component Command, U.S. Space Command, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
18. August 2022–July 2023, Director of Strategy, Plans, Requirements, and Programs, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
19. July 2023–present, Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,400
Aircraft flown: T-37, UH-1H/N, MH-53J/M, MV-22, CV-22B and other special operations aircraft
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 Air Force Special Operations Command Pilot of the Year
(Current as of August 2023)