Col. Jonathan Esparza serves as the Deputy Commander of the 188^th Wing, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Ark. The 188^th Wing consists of over 1,052 Airmen who provide airpower via the MQ-9A Reaper, Intelligence Analysis and Targeting, Expeditionary Medicine, and Full-Spectrum Mission Support. Additionally, the 188^th Wing is the host for the Republic of Singapore F-16 Security Assistance Training Squadron and an F-35 Foreign Military Sales Formal Training Unit. Finally, Col. Esparza also maintains a constant state of readiness in the F-35 as an instructor pilot.

Col. Esparza graduated from Trinity University in May 2000 and received his commission from ROTC the same year. He held a variety of assignments to include Chief of Safety, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, Flight Commander, Director of Operations, Director of Staff and Cyberspace Operations, and as a squadron commander. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the Director of the Air National Guard Special Access Program Management Office at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Throughout his military career, the colonel has commanded at the squadron level and led multiple joint and coalition exercises. He has also flown combat in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Freedom Sentinel and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

EDUCATION 

2000 Bachelor of Arts, Economics, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas

2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

2010 Masters of Business Administration, Strategic Leadership, Touro University International, Cypress, Calif.

2010 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence

Assignments

1. December 2000 – May 2001, Detachment Recruiter Officer, AFROTC Detachment 842, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas
2. May 2001 – January 2003, Student Pilot, Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. and Vance AFB, Okla.
3. January 2003 – October 2003, F-15C Upgrading Pilot, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. October 2003 – June 2006, F-15C Mission Commander, Chief of Safety, Scheduling Officer, and Training Officer, Kadena Air Base, Japan
5. June 2006 – August 2008, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, and Chief of Scheduling, Columbus AFB, Miss.
6. March 2009 – June 2010, Introductory to Fighter Fundamentals Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, Columbus AFB, Miss.
7. June 2010 – January 2014, F-22 Mission Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations, Holloman AFB, N.M.
8. January 2014 – October 2017, F-22 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Langley AFB, Va.
9. October 2017 – February 2019, Air Combat Command and Combat Operation Noble Eagle ANG Liaison, Langley AFB, Va.
10. February 2019 – January 2021, Director, 192^nd Wing Staff, Langley AFB, Va.
11. January 2021 – January 2023, Commander, 185^th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
12. January 2023 – April 2024, Air National Guard Advisor to the Director of Operations, ACC, Langley AFB, VA.
13. April 2024 – August 2025, Director, Air National Guard Special Access Program Management Office and ANG Advisor to the Director of Plans Programs and Requirements, ACC, Langley AFB, Va.
14. August 2025 – Present, Deputy Wing Commander, 188^th Wing, Ebbing ANGB, Fort Smith, Ark.

FLIGHT INFORMATION 
Rating: command pilot 

Flight Hours: more than 2,800 

Aircraft Flown: F-35, F-22, F-15, T-38, and T-34

 MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant Dec. 16, 2000

First Lieutenant Dec. 18, 2002

Captain Dec. 18, 2004

Major Aug. 1, 2010

Lieutenant Colonel Sept. 1, 2017

Colonel Jan. 07, 2023

(Current as of November 2025)