Colonel Sarah I. O’Banion serves as the Deputy Commander, 189th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base. Col O’Banion advises the commander in directing the combined efforts of all operations and support activities of the wing. She provides direction to wing leaders regarding combat-ready aircrew training, cyberspace operations, deployment readiness, and domestic emergency response. Col O’Banion is responsible for the readiness, training and safety of 1,100 Airmen across wing staff, four groups and 11 squadrons, as well as with our Team Little Rock partners.
She commissioned through ROTC and graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2002 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. She attended Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training at Randolph AFB, Texas, and Little Rock AFB, Ark., and was assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan. She has flown missions in support of Operations Unified Assistance, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Christmas Drop, and Joint Task Force Balikatan. She has served as a Formal Training Unit instructor and evaluator in the 53rd Airlift Squadron, 62nd Airlift Squadron and the 154th Training Squadron. She served as a Joint Civil Support Officer (NG-J3/7) at the National Guard Bureau and was the Future Operation Cell Director supporting domestic operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In 2021, Colonel O’Banion completed the Advanced Maintenance Officer School at Sheppard AFB, Texas. She is a Joint Qualified Officer and Command Navigator with over 3,000 flying hours in the T-43, T-1, and C-130E/H.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Wash.
2007 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2009 Master of Art, Teaching, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Ark.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2016 Joint and Combined Warfigher School, National Defense University, Norfolk, Va.
2020 Air War College, by correspondence
2022 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2002 – June 2003, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training, 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph AFB, Texas
2. July 2003 – February 2004, C-130E Navigator Mission Qualification, 314th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
3. February 2004 – March 2007, C-130E Instructor Navigator/Training Officer/Executive Officer, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan
4. March 2007 – August 2009, C-130E Instructor/Evaluator Navigator, Assistant Chief of Current Operations, 53rd/62nd Airlift Squadrons, 314th Operations Support Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. August 2009 – October 2011, C-130E/H Instructor/Evaluator Navigator/Executive Officer, 189th Operations Group, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
6. October 2011 - August 2014, Joint Civil Support Officer, National Guard Bureau J3/7, Arlington, Va.
7. August 2014 – January 2017, Assistant Flight Chief, 154th Training Squadron, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
8. January 2017 – January 2019, Director of Operations, 189th Operations Support Squadron, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little
Rock AFB, Ark. 9. January 2019 – June 2020, Chief of Wing Safety, 189th Airlift Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
10. June 2020 – December 2022, Commander, 189th Maintenance Squadron, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
11. December 2022 – February 2024, Commander, 189th Maintenance Group, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little Rock AFB, Ark
12. March 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 189th Airlift Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard, Little Rock AFB, Ark
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2011 - August 2014, Joint Civil Support Officer, National Guard Bureau J3/7, Arlington, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight Hours: More than 3,000
Aircraft Flown: T-43, T-1, C-130E/H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device and five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 NGAA Company Grade Officer of the Year
2019 Governor’s Award for Volunteer Excellence
2020 Air National Guard Director of Safety Special Achievement
2021 President’s Volunteer Service Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, June 29, 2002
First Lieutenant, June 29, 2004
Captain, June 29, 2006
Major, June 3, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel, March 1, 2018
Colonel, December 15, 2022
(Current as of Mar 2024)