Lt. Col. Joseph G. Sander is the commander of the 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois. He is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and managing all logistics support activities for the 182nd Airlift Wing.
Lt. Col. Sander entered the U.S. Air Force in August 2003 and served as an executive officer and commander of the 182nd Services Flight until 2009. During this time, his unit was selected by National Guard Bureau to serve in the development and implementation of a pilot unit to provide Fatality Search and Recovery Team (FSRT) operations under the Department of Homeland Security. Under the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) concept, Lt. Col. Sander was a contributing member responsible for authoring the initial Contingency Operations (CONOPS) and Standard Operations Guide (SOG) used in the deployment of FSRT units. In 2012, he transitioned to the Force Support Squadron, where he was the officer in charge (OIC) for the Sustainment Services Flight, Operations Flight, and Military Personnel Flight. In February 2023, he assumed command of the 182nd Comptroller Flight and then the 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron in June 2024.
Prior to 2003, he completed a 15-year career in the Illinois Army National Guard where he served as a flight operations specialist, battalion S-3 NCO and battalion signal officer assigned to the 1st of the 106th Aviation Battalion, Peoria, Illinois. Lt. Col. Sander has participated in several operations and exercises including Operation Fuertes Caminos in Panama, Operation Northern Viking in Iceland, and Operation Eskulap in Poland. Prior to his current position, the lieutenant colonel was the commander of the 182nd Comptroller Flight, Peoria, Illinois.
EDUCATION
1991 Primary Leadership Development Course, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Camp Ashland, Neb.
1994 Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Illinois State University, Normal
1995 Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, U.S. Army TRADOC, Fort Indiantown Gap, Penn.
2000 Master of Science, Industrial Technology, Illinois State University, Normal
2000 Regional U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, U.S. Army TRADOC, Springfield, Ill.
2001 Signal Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army TRADOC, Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga.
2004 General Administrative Certification, Education Administration, Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.
2005 Services 101 School, AETC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio
2005 Mortuary Affairs Course, AETC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio
2011 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Educational Specialist, Educational Leadership, Western Illinois University, Macomb
2016 Doctorate of Education, Aurora University, Aurora, Ill.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1988 – January 1994, Flight Operations Specialist, 1-106th Aviation Battalion, Peoria, Ill.
2. January 1994 – August 1998, Battalion S-3 NCO, 1-16th Aviation Battalion, Peoria, Ill.
3. August 2000 – August 2003, Battalion Signal Officer, 1-106th Aviation Battalion, Peoria, Ill.
4. August 2003 – July 2004, Executive Officer, 182nd Services Flight, Peoria, Ill.
5. July 2004 – April 2009, Commander, 182nd Services Flight, Peoria, Ill.
6. March 2007 – July 2012, Fatality, Search and Recovery Team OIC, 182nd Force Support Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
7. April 2009 – June 2012, Services Sustainment Flight OIC, 182nd Force Support Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
8. June 2012 – June 2022, Operations Flight OIC, 182nd Force Support Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
9. June 2022 – September 2022, Personnel Officer, 182nd Force Support Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
10. February 2023 – June 2024, Commander, 182nd Comptroller Flight, Peoria, Ill.
11. June 2024 – Present, Commander, 182nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Long and Honorable Military Service Medal with “4” devices
Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon with “13” device
Illinois State Active Duty Service Ribbon with “1” device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1989 Highest Qualification Score, Rifle, Basic Training
Basic Aviation Badge, U.S. Army
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of Illinois (lifetime member)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Aug. 27, 2000
First Lieutenant Aug. 27, 2002
Captain Nov. 5, 2004
Major Feb.17, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 1, 2018
(Current as of June 2024)