Colonel Joseph Popham is Commander, 31st Medical Group, Aviano Air Base, Italy. He is responsible for four squadrons, providing a full spectrum of healthcare operations and supporting 8,400 beneficiaries, including 1300 Personal Reliability Program, Arming Use of Force, and Fly members. He also directly supports 700 military members and dependents within three geographically separated units. Colonel Popham coordinates with Host Nation, Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, and CONUS resources to maintain a comprehensive referral network for specialty services, providing medical care to optimize human performance in support of United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization objectives in the Southern European region. In addition, he employs population-based preventive services and key guidance to enable medical combat readiness for 4,000 active duty members.
Colonel Popham entered the Air Force with a direct commission as a Medical Service Corps officer in 2005. He has held various positions in expeditionary medical operations, health plans management, resource management, and aeromedical evacuation. His assignments include squadron command at both Nellis and Seymour Johnson AFBs, Inspector General at the 43d Airlift Group, and Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Officer.
Colonel Popham is a graduate of The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy and is a board-certified Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor’s Degree, Business Management, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho
2005 Master’s Degree, Business Administration, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
2006 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2012 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2013 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2017 Civilian Personnel Management Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2019 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence
2026 Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 2006–August 2007, Current Ops Officer, 43d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB, North Carolina
- August 2007–April 2008, Medical Readiness Planner, 43d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB, North Carolina
- April 2008–July 2009, Resource Management Officer, 43d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope AFB, North Carolina
- March 2011-July 2013, Medical Support Flight Commander,43d Medical Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina
- July 2013–April 2015, Inspector General, 43d Airlift Group, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina
- April 2015–June 2017, TOPA Flight Commander, 59th Medical Support Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
- June 2017–March 2018, East Region Chief, Health Benefits, Air Force Medical Operations Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
- March 2018–April 2019, Branch Chief, TRICARE Operations, Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
- April 2019–June 2020, Deputy Division Chief, Health Benefits, Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
- June 2020–June 2022, Commander, 4th Medical Support Squadron and Administrator, 4th Medical Group, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
- June 2022-June 2024, Commander, 99th Medical Support Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada
- June 2024-July 2025, Chief, Healthcare Operations Support Division, Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, V
- July 2025-June 2026, Student, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- July 2026-current, Commander, 31st Medical Group, Aviano AB, Italy
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant Dec. 2, 2005
Captain Feb. 9, 2008
Major Jun. 1, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2017
Colonel Jan. 1, 2025
(Current as of August 2026)