Lt Col Jared J. Sandstrom  is the Professor of Aerospace Studies and Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 255 at the University of Iowa. He is responsible for recruiting, training, and educating students for entry into the Air Force and Space Force as commissioned officers.

Lt Col Sandstrom commissioned in 2008 through AFROTC upon graduating from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in mechanical engineering. After earning his pilot wings in 2010 at Vance AFB, OK, he served as an instructor pilot in the U-28A at Hurlburt Field, FL, deploying multiple times to support special operations missions across the Middle East and Africa. He has also served as a Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Instructor at Laughlin AFB, TX, and as a Battle Captain and Action Officer in the Joint Staff Operations Directorate at the Pentagon, VA. Prior to assuming his current position, Lt Col Sandstrom was a Director of Operations at Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL.

Lt Col Sandstrom is a senior evaluator pilot with more than 3,300 flight hours and over 1,500 combat hours. He holds master’s degrees in English from Southern New Hampshire University and Military Operational Art and Science from Air University.