Col Jesse C. Allen is the Commander, 149th Maintenance Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Texas. He commands the premier aircraft maintenance organization producing highly trained pilots for global engagements. He is responsible for leading and directing a 4500-hour flying program for the wing’s F-16 fleet. He ensures operational readiness of two squadrons, a flight, and staff consisting of over 300 personnel that support national air defenses, worldwide contingency operations, and Texas state emergency response actions.
Col Allen enlisted in the active duty Air Force in May 1995 as an egress systems mechanic on the B-2 and T-38 aircraft. In 2003, Lt Col Allen joined the Texas Air National Guard, 149th Fighter Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, as an F-16 egress mechanic. In 2005, he graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and commissioned in 2006 as a distinguished graduate from the Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson, Air National Guard Base, Tennessee. Prior to his current position, he was the 149th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander.
Col Allen has served in numerous aircraft and logistics roles throughout his career and supported several state and federal contingency operations. He is a graduate of the Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School and has deployed in support of Operations ALLIED FORCE and ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
1995 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
1996 Egress Systems Technician Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2003 Associate of Applied Science, Business Management, Parkland College, Champaign, Ill.
2003 Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2004 Associate of Applied Science, Aviation Maintenance Tech, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2005 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, Fla.
2006 Academy of Military Science, McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
2006 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2006 Jet Engine Mishap Investigation Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2009 Logistics Readiness Officer Course, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
2010 AMC Affiliation Airlift Planners Course, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
2010 Deliberate Crisis Action Planning & Execution System Course, Keesler AFB, La.
2011 Squadron Officer College, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, by correspondence
2011 Air Force Institute of Technology, Combat Logistics, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
2014 Advanced Maintenance & Munitions Operations School (AMMOS), Nellis AFB, Nev.
2015 Master of Science, Sports and Health Sciences, American Military University, Charles Town, W. Va.
2017 Texas Adjutant General Leadership Development Program Graduate, Austin, Texas
2019 Air Command and Staff College, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, by correspondence
2021 Air War College, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, by correspondence
2022 NGB Commander Leadership Course, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
2022 AF/SE Board Presidents Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1995–July 1999, Egress Journeyman, 509th Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri
2. June 2003–October 2006, Egress Journeyman, 149th Maintenance Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. November 2006–October 2007, Aircraft Maintenance Operations Officer, 149th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
4. November 2007–April 2008, Maintenance Operations Flight Officer-in-Charge (OIC), 149th Maintenance Operations Flight, Lackland AFB, Texas
5. April 2008–December 2011, Deployment & Distribution OIC, 149th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Texas
6. January 2012–August 2012, Deployment & Distribution Flight Commander, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Al Dhafra Air Base (AB), United Arab Emirates
7. September 2012–June 2018, Maintenance Operations Officer, 149th Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
8. July 2018–July 2019, Commander, 149th Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
9. August 2019–July 2024, Commander, 149th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
10. August 2024--Present, Commander, 149th Maintenance Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with four devices
Air Force Achievement Medal with two devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Maintenance Award-National Guard Bureau
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States-Life Member
National Guard Association of Texas-Life Member
Logistics Officer Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Jan. 26, 1996
Airman First Class Jan. 26, 1997
Senior Airman July 26, 1998
Staff Sergeant March 1, 2003
Second Lieutenant November. 17, 2006
First Lieutenant November. 17, 2008
Captain November. 17, 2010
Major March 4, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel March 21, 2019
Colonel August 08, 2025
(Current as of September 2025)