Col Amy D. Horton is the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to the Commander, Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. She is responsible for assisting the commander in leading spacelift and range operations in support of national and combatant commander requirements and supports operational and developmental missile system testing for the Department of Defense with $8.4B in assets, $280M annual budget, installations spanning more than 118,000 acres, and over 11,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.
Col Horton was commissioned in 2001 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. She served six years on Active Duty before transferring to the Reserve. She began her career as a non-rated flyer with the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, conducting Human Factors flight testing for the C-130J, C-17A, and KC-135. She went on to teach at the United States Air Force Academy and then transitioned to the Traditional Reserve with the 302d Maintenance Group, Peterson AFB, Colorado. Col Horton has also served as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee with the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Los Angeles AFB, California, and then Deputy Chief, Program Integration Division, Space Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Pentagon, Virginia. Her broad experience includes flight test, teaching, aircraft maintenance, space acquisitions, joint war planning, and joint operations. Prior to her current position, Col Horton was a Director, Joint Operations Center, USINDOPACOM J33 Current Operations, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Behavioral Sciences, United Stated Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.
2001 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2005 Master of Science, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Kansas State University
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Leadership Today and Tomorrow, San Antonio, Texas
2017 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2001–May 2004, C-130J & C-17A Lead Human Factors Engineer, 418th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2. May 2004–June 2005, 412th Test Wing Executive Officer, Edwards AFB, Calif.
3. July 2005–August 2007, Instructor, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
4. August 2007–August 2009, Executive Officer, 302d Maintenance Group, Peterson AFB, Colo.
5. August 2009–January 2011, Human Factors Flight Test Instructor, United States Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
6. February 2011–May 2012, Deputy, Strategy Management Office, Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
7. May 2012–May 2013, Chief, Reserve Management Branch, SIBRS, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
8. May 2013–October 2015, IMA to Materiel Leader, SBIRS Current Ground, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
9. October 2015–December 2017, Deputy Chief, Program Integration Division, Space Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. November 2022–Present, IMA to the Commander, Space Launch Delta 30, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 2017–October 2020, Joint Combat Operations and Contingency Planner, USINDOPACOM J35 Future Operations, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, as a lieutenant colonel
2. November 2020–October 2022, Director, Joint Operations Center, USINDOPACOM J33 Current Operations, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2004, 412th Test Wing Company Grade Officer of the Quarter
2008, 302d Airlift Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year
PUBLICATIONS
Horton (Snapp), A., George, E., Ormsby, D., & Hastings, E. (2002). AFFTC-TR-02-06 human factors results C-130J block upgrade 5.3 follow-on qualification test & evaluation. Edwards, CA: Air Force Flight Test Center.
St. Pierre, D. Chiu, C., Morgan, C., Horton (Snapp), A., Rara, B., & Jacques, M. (2003). AFFTC-TR-03-28 C-17A large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) lite testing. Edwards, CA: Air Force Flight Test Center.
Welker, J., Horton (Snapp), A., Yip, J., Janney, C., & Freeborn, A. (2003). AFFTC-TR-03-20 KC-135 global air traffic management (GATM) with engineering change proposal-10. Edwards, CA: Air Force Flight Test Center.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Fellow, Salzburg Global Seminar
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major May 30, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 28, 2015
Colonel April 1, 2022
(Current as of March 2023)