Col Andrew M. Frey, Jr., is Commander, 2d Weather Group, 557th Weather Wing, Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska. He leads more than 550 active duty, civil service and contract personnel comprised of 6 Squadrons and 8 geographically separated units on 3 continents. The group operates and sustains the Air Force’s $323 million strategic weather enterprise data center and supercomputer, delivering decision-quality, authoritative space and terrestrial environmental intelligence across Department of Defense, the Interagency and International Partners. The fusion of weather, climate and space environmental services provide non-kinetic options to decision makers during planning and operations spanning the national security objectives spectrum.
Col Frey received his commission from the United States Air Force Officer Training School in September 2001. He has served at various weather assignments including squadron-level, Headquarters Air Force, and Combatant Command positions, supporting tactical to strategic missions. He has also served as executive officer, operations officer, and squadron commander, and command center director. Prior to his current position, Col Frey was the Senior Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, NORAD and USNORTHCOM, Peterson SFB, Colo.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.
2002 Aerospace Basic, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Master of Science in Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., Distinguished Graduate
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., Distinguished Graduate
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Strategic Policy Fellowship, Washington, D.C.
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., with Distinction
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2001–September 2002, Officer-in-Charge, Mediterranean Forecast Element, USAFE Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach Air Base, Germany
2. September 2002–September 2003, Assistant Flight Commander, USAFE Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach AB, Germany
3. September 2003–July 2006, Wing Weather Officer, 49th Operations Support Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M. (January 2006–May 2006, Officer-in-Charge, Weather Element, 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan)
4. July 2006–March 2008, Graduate Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
5. March 2008–November 2009, Flight Commander and Launch Weather Officer, 30th Weather Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
6. November 2009–February 2010, Chief, Standardization & Evaluation, and Launch Weather Officer, 30th Weather Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
7. February 2010–April 2011, Executive Officer, 30th Operations Group, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
8. April 2011–August 2012, Deputy Chief, Weather Division, Air Force Operations Group, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
9. August 2012 - May 2013, Chief, Joint Weather Plans & Policy, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
10. May 2013–June 2014, Executive Officer, Weather Directorate, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (August 2013–March 2014, Personal Representative, Periodic Review Secretariat, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.)
11. July 2014–June 2015, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, Air Force Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
12. July 2015–June 2016, Director of Operations, 2d Weather Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
13. June 2016–June 2018, Commander, 3d Weather Squadron, Fort Hood Army Installation, Texas
14. July 2018–February 2019, Deputy Director, Strengthening Joint Leaders and Teams, Air Force Strategic Integration Group, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15. March 2019–June 2020, Senior Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
16. July 2020–May 2021, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
17. June 2021–May 2022, Senior Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo.
18. June 2022–September 2023, Command Center Director, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo.
19. October 2023–June 2024, Chief, Instructor Operations, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo.
20. July 2024–Present, Commander, 2d Weather Group, Offutt AFB, Neb.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2013–March 2014, Personal Representative, Periodic Review Secretariat, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., as a major
2. June 2021–May 2022, Senior Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a lieutenant colonel
3. June 2022–September 2023, Command Center Director, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a colonel
4. October 2023–June 2024, Chief, Instructor Operations, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2001 Thomas Jefferson Academic Award, Officer Training School
2002 Distinguished Graduate, Weather Officers Course
2008 Distinguished Graduate, Naval Postgraduate School
2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School
2009 National Combined Federal Campaign Hero Award
2021 Academic Distinction, Air War College
Current as of July 2024