Detachment 255 Commander 

Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Capozzi 

Lieutenant Colonel Nicole L. Capozzi is the Professor of Aerospace Studies and Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 255 at the University of Iowa. As such, she is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training students for entry into the US Air Force with commissions as second lieutenants.

Lt Col Capozzi was commissioned in 2000 at the United States Air Force Academy. She started out as a developmental astronautical engineer at L.A. Air Force Base, CA. From there she cross trained into Air Battle Management and served in various airborne and ground Theater Air Control System positions. After an AWACS assignment at Elmendorf AFB, AK she took her first ALO assignment at Ft Hood, TX. During her time at Ft Hood, she deployed to Iraq as a Fighter Duty Officer. She returned to AWACS as a Senior Director and deployed as the US AWACS Mission Planning Cell Chief during Operation Unified Protector. After completing Air Command and Staff College she was the Director of Operations for the 1st Air Support Operations Group. Prior to her current assignment Lt Col Capozzi was the Commander of the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron which provided world-wide deployable tactical command and control of air and space power in direct support of land operations.

Detachment 255 Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Capozzi

Detachment 255 Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Capozzi About

2000 Bachelor of Science, Astronautical Engineering, US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

2001 Aerospace Basic Course (in residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2007 Squadron Officer School (correspondence/in-residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2009 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL

2010 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2013 Master of Military Operational Art/Science (in-residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

2016 Air War College (correspondence) 

  1. Jun 2000 to Dec 2002 - GPS Space and Control System Engineer, Space and Missiles System Center, Los Angeles AFB, CA
  2. Dec 2002 to Dec 2003 - Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training, 325 ACS, Tyndall AFB, FL
  3. Dec 2003 to Jun 2003 - Student, Air Weapons Officer Training, 552 TRS, Tinker AFB, OK
  4. Jul 2003 to Feb 2005 -  Assistant Flight Commander/E-3 AWO, 962nd AACS, Elmendorf AFB, AK
  5. Mar 2005 to Feb 2006 - Deputy Chief of Tactics/E-3 AWO, 962nd AACS, Elmendorf AFB, AK
  6. Mar 2006 to Jul 2007 - Flight Commander/E-3 IAWO, 962nd AACS, Elmendorf AFB, AK
  7. Aug 2007 to Oct 2008 - Flight Commander, 712th ASOS, Ft Hood, TX
  8. Nov 2008 to Jun 2010- Assistant Director of Operations, 3 ASOG, Ft Hood, TX
  9. Jul 2010 to Jun 2011- Student E-3 Senior Director Training, 552 TRS, Tinker AFB, OK
  10. Jul 2011 to Jul 2012 - Chief of Squadron Training, 963rd AACS, Tinker AFB, OK
  11. Aug 2012 to Jun 2013 - Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
  12. Jul 2013 to Jun 2016 - Director of Operations, 1 ASOG, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 
  13. Jul 2016 to Jul 2018 -  Commander, 682 Air Support Operations Squadron, Pope AAF, North Carolina
  14. Aug 2018 to Present – Commander, AFROTC Detachment 255, University of Iowa
     

Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Iraq Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Air and Space Campaign Medal

NATO Medal 

Rating:  Air Battle Manager

Flight Hours:  Over 900

Aircraft Flown:  E-3B/C

Second Lieutenant 31 May 2000
First Lieutenant 31 May 2002
Captain 31 May 2004
Major 1 February 2010
Lieutenant Colonel 1 June 2015

Operations Flight Commander 

Major Shannon E. Boyles

Maj Shannon E. Boyles is the Recruiting Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at Air Force ROTC Detachment 255, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. She is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training students from three universities and colleges for commissioning into the Air Force as second lieutenants. 

Maj Boyles is a 2008 graduate of Creighton University, where she commissioned into the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. She served in various positions within the Aircraft Maintenance career field, spending three years as an Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-in-Charge, working with over 590 Airmen in F-16 and F-22 units. Additionally, she worked in a Command-level position leading a team of 140 Airmen across eight work centers and 15 AFSCs, overseeing 25 unit programs and a 17,300-hour Flying Hour Program for the 3rd Wing’s 60 aircraft. Prior to her current assignment, Maj Boyles served as the Executive Officer for the 3rd Wing, advising the Wing Commander in the management of aircraft, manpower, facilities, and intra-agency planning for Department of Defense, Headquarters Air Force, and Major Command-level engagements. 

Recruiting Officer Major Shannon Boyles Portrait

Bio Information for Operations Flight Commander

2008  Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
2008  Aircraft Maintenance Officers Course, Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2008  Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012  Maintenance Officer Intermediate Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2014  Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

  1. July 2008-June 2010, Mx Flight Commander, 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
  2. June 2010-July 2012, Assistant/Officer-in-Charge, 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
  3. July 2012-July 2013, Officer-in-Charge, 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, JBER, Alaska
  4. July 2013-April 2015, Maintenance Operations Officer in Charge, 3rd Maintenance Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
  5. April 2015-July 2016, Executive Officer, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
  6. July 2016-July 2018, Operations Flight Commander, Detachment 255, University of Iowa, Iowa
  7. July 2018-Present, Recruiting Officer, Detachment 255, University of Iowa, Iowa

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal 
Air Force Achievement Medal

Second Lieutenant, May 2008
First Lieutenant, May 2010
Captain, May 2012
Major, March 2018

Recruitment Officer and Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies   

Captain Amanda L. Gonzalez 

Capt Amanda L. Gonzalez is the Recruiting and Admissions Officer as well as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies   at Air Force ROTC Detachment 255, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. She is responsible for recruiting, educating, and training students from three universities and colleges for commissioning into the Air Force as second  lieutenants.

Capt Gonzalez is a 2012 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she commissioned into the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. She served in various positions within the Missile Operations and Aircraft Maintenance career fields, spending three years as a Missile Operator, working with Airmen from 5 AFSCs and directly responsible for 150 nuclear Minuteman III missiles. She then cross-trained into the Aircraft Maintenance field where she served in various positions to include flight commander and executive officer. She also served in the 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer-in-Charge, working with over 200 Airmen in T-38 and F-22 TFI units. Additionally, she worked in a Command-level position leading a team of 110 Airmen and civilians across eight work centers and 10 AFSCs, overseeing 25 unit programs and a 18,000-hour Flying Hour Program for the 1st Fighter Wing’s 60 aircraft.

Captain Amanda L. Gonzalez Bio Photo

Bio

2012  Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois

2013  Nuclear and Missile Operations Course, Vandenberg AFB, California

2016  Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas

2018  Maintenance Officer Intermediate Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas

2018  Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

2020 Master of Science in International Relations, Troy University, Troy, Alabama

  1. April 2013 - March 2015, Deputy Combat Crew Commander, 321st Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
  2. March 2015 - Aug 2015, Squadron Command Post Crew, 321st Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
  3. Aug 2015 - March 2016, 90th Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation Division, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
  4. March 2016 - Nov 2016, Propulsion Flight Commander, 1st Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
  5. Nov 2016 - Oct 2017, Executive Officer, 1st Maintenance Group, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
  6. Oct 2017 - Sep 2018, Maintenance Operations Flight Commander, 1st Maintenance Group Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
  7. Sep 2018 - Jun2019, Officer-In-Charge, 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
  8. June 2019 - Present, Operations Flight Commander, Detachment 255, University of Iowa, Iowa

Air Force Nuclear Operations with “N” Device

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with oak cluster

Outstanding Unit Award 

Second Lieutenant, May 2012

First Lieutenant, May 2014

Captain, May 2016

(Current as of August 2020)

NCOIC - Personnel 

Technical Sergeant Matthew B. McKinney

TSgt Matthew B. McKinney is the NCOIC of Personnel at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 255, University of Iowa. As the NCOIC of Personnel, he is responsible for various cadet actions that occur during the cadet life cycle. The administrative task of creating and maintaining cadet information files results in the annual commissioning of high quality second lieutenants who are fully prepared and motivated to excel across a spectrum of active duty leadership assignments.

TSgt McKinney entered Air Force basic training in December 2010 and graduated from the Personnel Apprentice course in April 2011. His first duty station as a Personnel Apprentice was Eielson AFB, Alaska, which he served in multiple roles ranging from a Force Management Apprentice, to an Installation Personnel Readiness Journeyman. He later served at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, as the NCOIC of the Commanders Support Staff. Prior to his current position, he was the NCOIC of Career Development at the 821st Support Squadron, Thule AB, Greenland.

Technical Sergeant Matthew B. McKinney Official Photo

Technical Sergeant Matthew B. McKinney Bio

  • 2015 Airman Leadership School, RAF Feltwell, United Kingdom
  • 2015 Assoc. of Applied Science, Human Resource Management, CCAF
  • 2019 Non-Comissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
  • 2019 Bachelors of Arts Degree in Organizational Management, Ashford University, California

  1. May 2011 - September 2014, Career Development Journeyman, 354 Force Support Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
  2. September 2014 - September 2017, NCOIC, Commander Support Staff Personnel Programs, 352 Special Operations Maintenance Aircraft Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom
  3. October 2017 - September 2018, NCOIC, Career Development 821 Support Squadron, Thule AB, Greenland
  4. September 2018 - Present, NCOIC, Personnel, University of Iowa AFROTC Detachment 255, Iowa City, Iowa

  • Air Force Commendation Medal, 1 OLC
  • Air Force Achievement Medal
  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, 2 OLC

NCOIC - Administration

Staff Sergeant Martina Nielsen 

Staff Sergeant Martina N. Nielsen is the NCOIC of Administration at Air Force  Reserve Corps Training (AFROTC) Detachment 255 at The University of Iowa. As such, she is the focal point for various accessions programs, managing all administrative and personnel ROTC cadet actions and updates. Efficiently creating and maintaining individual cadets’ files enables a smooth transition to commissioning into exemplary second lieutenants who are equipped to lead and excel.

SSgt Nielsen entered Air Force basic training in November 2010 and graduated from the Knowledge Operations Apprentice course in April 2011.  Her first duty station as a Knowledge Operations Apprentice was Eielson AFB, Alaska, serving as an Information Manager at the base’s Health and Wellness Center, base Publications & Forms Manager and base Postal Specialist. Once she transitioned to Administration, she finished her tenure at the Commander Support Staff. SSgt Nielsen then moved to Whiteman AFB, MO where she continued her Commander Support Staff duties as the NCOIC at two separate squadrons, as well as deployed to Al Udeid, Air Base, Kuwait as the Civil Engineering Squadron’s NCOIC, Administration.                                                      

 

NCOIC, Administration Staff Sergeant Martina Nielsen

Bio

2014     Airman Leadership School, Eielson AFB, AK

  1. April 2011 - December 2015, Knowledge Operations Journeyman, 354th Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
  2. January 2016 - August 2019, NCOIC, Commander Support Staff, 509th Maintenance Squadron, Whiteman AFB, MO
  3. July 2017 - January 2018, NCOIC, Administration, 386th Civil Engineering Squadron, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait
  4. August 2019 - Present, NCOIC, Administration, The University of Iowa AFROTC Det 255, Iowa City, Iowa

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Airman Basic               Nov 10

Airman First Class       Jan 11

Senior Airman             May 13

Staff Sergeant              Sep 17

(Current as of January 2021)