Colonel Joe Gross is the Commander, 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 720th STG organizes, trains, and equips ST forces to conduct Special Operations on order or enduringly in support of the Joint Force. The Group is comprised of six Special Tactics units encompassing over 900 Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance, Tactical Air Control Party, Special Operations Surgical Teams, and Mission Support personnel.
Colonel Gross joined the Air Force in July of 1987. After basic training, he entered the Combat Control training and acquired advanced skills as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, static line and freefall master parachutist, and a combat diver. In 2003, after 16 years as an enlisted Combat Controller, he graduated Officer Training School and was commissioned in the Air Force. His combat experience includes Operation JUST CAUSE, Panama, Operation DESERT STORM (Gulf War), and more recently, ten combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He has held numerous squadron, group, and wing leadership positions, which include two squadron commands. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Gross was the Chief of the Special Tactics Division at HQ AFSOC Hurlburt Field, Florida.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education, Wayland Baptist University, San Antonio, TX
2003 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Masters of Arts in Education, Trident University, Cypress, Cali.
2015 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Masters of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jul 1987 - Aug 1987, Basic Training Trainee, Air Force Basic Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2. Aug 1987 - Sep 1988, Combat Control Trainee, multiple installations
3. Sep 1988 - Nov 1993, Combat Control Operator, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
4. Nov 1993 - Jun 2000, Combat Control Operator, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC
5. Jun 2000 - Jan 2003, Combat Control Instructor, 342nd Combat Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, TX
6. Jan 2003 - Apr 2003, Student, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
7. Apr 2003 - May 2005, Flight Commander, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope AFB, NC
8. May 2005 - Jun 2007, Flight Commander, 6th Combat Training Squadron (AGOS), Nellis AFB, NV
9. Jun 2007 - May 2009, Special Tactics Liaison Officer, 561 Joint Tactics Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV
10. May 2009 - Jun 2011, Chief, Weapons and Tactics/Assistant Director of Operations, 720th Operational Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
11. Jun 2011 - Jun 2013, Director of Operations, Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
12. Jun 2013 - Jul 2015, Chief, Fires/Senior Air Operations Planner, US Special Operations Command Central, MacDill AFB, Fla.
13. Jul 2015 - Jun 2016, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. Jun 2016 - May 2017, Wing Plan and Programs OIC, 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
15. May 2017 - Jun 2019, Commander, Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
16. Jun 2019 - Jun 2020, Commander, 720th Operational Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
17. Jun 2020 - May 2021, Student, Air War College, Maxwell, AFB, Ala.
18. May 2021 - Jul 2024, Deputy Chief, Mobility Requirements Division (HQ AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, Fla.
19. Jul 2024 - May 2025, Chief, Special Tactics Division (HQ AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, Fla.
20. May 2025 - current, Commander, 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf cluster)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal (seven oak leaf clusters)
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal (four oak leaf clusters)
Combat Readiness Medal (four oak leaf clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (one bronze star device)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraqi Campaign Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal (one bronze star device)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
(Current as of June 2025)