AFROTC

Operations Flight Commander

Lieutenant Colonel D. Zach Tolbert

Venancio Deocariza

Lieutenant Colonel Tolbert is an assistant professor of aerospace atudies for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 665. In this capacity, he oversees and facilitates the recruiting, education, training, and character building of students from among twelve universities and colleges for commissioning into the United States Air Force as Second Lieutenants.

Maj Tolbert commissioned in June of 2012 and graduated undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, OK in 2014. Maj Tolbert is an instructor pilot in the C-21A and C130J with over 2000 hours, including over 300 combat hours in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

He has previously served at the 618th Air Operations Center and Air Mobility Command Headquarters, Scott AFB, IL.  Prior to his current assignment, Maj Tolbert was the Operations Officer, 458th Airlift Squadron, Scott AFB, IL.

Education

2012 Distinguished Graduate, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati 2017 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL 
2018 Master of Education, Guidance and Counseling, Angelo State University, TX
2025 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL

Assignments

  1. November 2012 – May 2014, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK
  2. May 2014 – February 2015, Distinguished Graduate, C-130J Initial Qualification, Little Rock AFB, AR
  3. February 2015 – July 2020, Wg Executive Officer, Flt Commander, C-130J Instructor Pilot, 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess AFB, TX
  4. July 2020 – June 2021, Airlift Allocations Barrel, 618th Air Operations Center, Scott AFB, IL 
  5. June 2021 – June 2022, Deputy Chief, Officer Development Branch, Air Mobility Command HQ, Scott AFB, IL
  6. June 2022 – June 2025, Operations Officer, Wing Chief of Innovation, C-21 Evaluator Pilot, 458th Airlift Squadron, Scott AFB, IL
  7. June 2025 – Present, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Detachment 665, University of Cincinnati

Flight Information

Rating: Senior Pilot Flight
Hours: 2000, including more than 300 combat hours
Aircraft flown: C-130J, C-21 

Major Awards and Decorations

Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with silver C and 2 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
NATO Medal