COLONEL PAUL SKALA

Colonel Paul M. Skala is Commander, 325th Medical Group, 325th Fighter Wing, Air Combat Command, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The 325th Medical Group is comprised of more than 300 medical professionals and support staff, serves the dynamically changing health needs of the Florida Gulf Coast community by striving to deliver superior access, quality care, and service to approximately 23,000 eligible individuals.

Colonel Skala graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Regular Commission as a Distinguished Graduate from Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1990.

Colonel Skala has held multiple health care administration leadership positions as the Headquarters Air Force, major command and wing levels. In 1998, he deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia as the 363rd Expeditionary Medical Group Hospital Administrator supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and DESERT FOX.

The colonel is Board Certified and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Auburn University, Ala.
1993 Master of Science, Management Information Systems, University of South Dakota
1996 Squadron Officer School, (Correspondence)
2000 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence)
2003 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Master of Strategic Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. 1991 - Missile Crew Training, 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron, Vandenburg AFB, Calif.
2. 1993 - Deputy Missile Crew Commander, Instructor Deputy Missile Crew and Commander Missile Crew, 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
3. 1994 - Chief, Medical Readiness, 42nd Medical Support Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
4. 1994 - Health Service Administration Training, 382nd Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
5. 1996 - Chief, Managed Care and Medical Information Systems, 42nd Medical Support Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. 1998 - Director, Resource Management, 10th Medical Support Squadron, USAF Academy, Colo.
7. 1999 - Hospital Administrator, 363rd Expeditionary Medical Group, Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia
8. 1999 - Business Operations and Beneficiary Services Flight Commander, USAF Academy, Colo.
9. 2001 -- Director, TRICARE, 6th Medical Support Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla.
10. 2002 - Business Operations and Beneficiary Services Flight Commander, 6th Medical Support Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla.
11. 2003 - Medical Support Fellowship, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
12. 2004 - Director, Health Benefits and Policy, Headquarters USAFE, Ramstein AB, Germany
13. 2006 - Commander, 16th Medical Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
14. 2007 - Student, Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
15. 2008 - Director, Air Force Medical Service Base Realignment and Closure Program Integration, Headquarters U. S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
16. 2009 - Deputy Chief, Air Force Medical Services Strategic Plans, Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
17. 2009 - Chief Air Force Space Command Medical support Division and MAJCOM Administrator, Headquarters AFSC, Peterson AFB, Colo.
18. July 2010 - Present, Commander, 325th Medical Group, Tyndall AFB, Fla.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (Valor Device) with six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
2003 USAFE Headquarters Surgeon General Field Grade Officer of the Year
2001 Air Mobility Command Managed Care Officer of the Year
1999 Association of Military Surgeons of the U. S. Young Federal Health Care Administrator of the Year
1997 U.S. Air Force Academy Company Grade Officer of the Year
1997 U.S. Air Force Academy Young Healthcare Administrator of the Year

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant November 26, 1990
First Lieutenant November 26, 1992
Captain November 26, 1994
Major October 1, 2001
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2004
Colonel June 1, 2010

(Current as of October 2012)