Military Officers Association of America’s Cape Canaveral Chapter Luncheon Features Colonel James Finlayson

Col. James Finlayson deployed on five occasions

BREVARD COUNTY • PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, FLORIDA – Colonel James “Cobra” Finlayson was the guest speaker for the February luncheon of the Military Officers Association of America’s Cape Canaveral Chapter.

The luncheon was held at The Tides Club at Patrick Space Force Base.

Colonel Finlayson hails from El Paso, Texas. He received his commission in 1997 from the USAF Academy. Before assuming his current command, he was the Vice Commander of the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow AFB in Texas, serving as the principal assistant to the Wing Commander.

He oversaw two training groups – a mission support group and a medical group. Previously Colonel Finlayson served as the Chief of Staff, J2 Directorate for Intelligence, U.S. Strategic Command, located at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

He has been forward deployed on five occasions to Egypt, Qatar, and Afghanistan, supporting Operations Bright Star, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.

Col. Finlayson earned his Master’s degree from Troy University in Alabama; his Juris Doctor from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas; and his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado.

He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster; and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

Col. Finlayson assumed his current command in June 2022. The AFTAC is a garrison equivalent center located at Patrick SFB.

It monitors nuclear treaty compliance using seismic, hydrostatic, and satellite systems through the US Atomic Energy System to preserve our nation’s security.

When a disturbance is detected underground, in the atmosphere, or space, the event may be analyzed for nuclear identification and reported to national command authorities.

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