Col. Maritzel G. Castrellon is the deputy commander supporting Georgia’s largest single‑site industrial complex at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. She provides installation‑wide facilities and equipment support for more than 55 mission partners, including a major command, an air logistics complex, and three wings across the 6,935‑acre installation. She oversees the management of facilities and equipment valued at $8.1 billion and directs execution of a $170.8 million operating budget. Additionally, Col. Castrellon leads the training, deployment and redeployment of more than 1,800 Airmen in support of Air and Space Expeditionary Forces and combatant commander requirements. She is responsible for the safety, security, morale and welfare of 23,000 Total Force Airmen assigned to Robins AFB and 28,000 local dependents and retirees.
Col. Castrellon entered the Air Force in June 2003 through ROTC at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. After completing manpower officer training in February 2004, she served in a variety of positions at the wing, air staff, and joint levels, including two squadron commands. While assigned to the air staff, she served as a strategic sourcing program manager and manpower programmer.
Prior to her current assignment, Col. Castrellon was the Military Sustainment and Support director at the Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resources Management, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2006 Master of Arts, International Relations, St Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
2009 Squadron Officer School (Inter-American Air Force Academy), Lackland AFB, Texas
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Master of Arts, Leadership and Counseling, U.S. Air Force Academy, University of Colorado- Colorado Springs, Colo.
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2003 – April 2005, Manpower and Organization Analyst, 37th Training Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. April 2005 – January 2007, Section Commander, 37th Mission Support Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
3. January 2007 – August 2007, Flight Chief, Manpower and Organization, 11th Mission Support Squadron, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.
4. August 2007 – July 2008, Executive Officer to the Wing Commander, 11th Wing, Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C.
5. July 2008 – July 2009, Strategic Sourcing Program Manager, Strategic Sourcing Division, Directorate of Manpower, Organization, and Resources, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C.
6. July 2009 – November 2011, Manpower Programmer, Program Development Division, Directorate of Manpower, Organization, and Resources, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, HAF, Washington, D.C.
7. November 2011 – October 2012, Manpower and Personnel Flight Commander, 31st Force Support Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy
8. October 2012 – May 2014, Sustainment Services Flight Commander, 31st Force Support Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
9. May 2014 – May 2015, Air Officer Commanding Master’s Program, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
10. May 2015 – May 2017, Air Officer Commanding, Cadet Squadron Eight, USAFA, Colorado Springs, Colo.
11. June 2017 – June 2019, Commander, 56th Force Support Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
12. July 2019 – July 2022, Chief, Personnel Services Branch, United States Central Command, MacDill AFB, Fla.
13. July 2022 – May 2023, Student for Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. May 2023 – July 2024, Chief, Commander’s Action Group, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
15. July 2024 – July 2026, Director, Military Sustainment and Support, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
16. July 2026 – Present, Deputy Commander, 78th Air Base Wing, Robins AFB, Ga.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2019 – July 2022, Chief, Personnel Services Branch, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., as a lieutenant colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2010 Company Grade Officer of the Year, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, HAF, Washington, D.C.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 28, 2003
First Lieutenant July 13, 2005
Captain July 13, 2007
Major November 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2018
Colonel August 1, 2024
(Current as of July 2026)