Colonel Jaina L. Donberg is the Deputy Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, North Carolina. As the Deputy Commander, she assists the Wing Commander in the organization, training, and deployment of one of the largest fighter wings in the United States Air Force, consisting of nearly 7,000 Airmen and civilians. The 4th Fighter Wing is home to 94 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to two operational and two training fighter squadrons, flying more than 12,000 sorties and 20,000 hours per year. The 4th Fighter Wing partners with and provides overall host support for the 916th Air Refueling Wing and its KC-46 fleet.
Col Donberg earned her commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2004. She served as an F-15E instructor and evaluator pilot across four operational assignments and commanded the 494th Fighter Squadron. Col Donberg has served on the Air Staff, Joint Staff, and Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff. She is a Command Pilot with more than 2,600 flying hours including 1300 combat hours and has supported combat operations Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Spartan Shield. Prior to her current assignment, she led the Curriculum and Courseware Division at the 19th Air Force Flying Training Center of Excellence.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science in English, United States Air Force Academy, CO
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, Distinguished Graduate
2012 Master of Science in Business Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2016 Air Force Strategic Policy Fellowship, U.S. Department of State, Office of Iraq Affairs, and SecAF-CSAF Executive Action Group, Headquarters Air Force
2022 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, Influence Warfare Concentration, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
2023 Fellow, Women’s Global Leadership Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C.
2025 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2004 – September 2005: Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, MS
2. March 2006 – November 2006: Student, F-15E Basic Course, 334 FS, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
3. November 2006 – November 2009: Scheduling Officer, Assistant Chief of Training, F-15E Multi Ship Flight Lead, 336 FS, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
4. November 2009 – June 2013: Flight Commander, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 492d Fighter Squadron, Chief of F-15E Standardization and Evaluation, F-15E Evaluator Pilot, 48th Operations Group, RAF Lakenheath, UK
5. June 2013 – Oct 2014: Air Sea Battle Division Chief, 4th Operational Support Squadron, F-15E Evaluator Pilot, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
6. Oct 2014 – Apr 2015: Chief, Standardization and Evaluation, F-15E Evaluator Pilot, 380th Expeditionary Operations Group, Southwest Asia
7. June 2015 – July 2016: Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow, Washington D.C.
8. July 2016 – January 2017: Speechwriter to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, SecAF-CSAF Executive Action Group, Pentagon, VA
9. January 2017 – June 2018: Aide-de-Camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, VA
10. August 2018 – March 2019: Director of Operations, 48th Operations Support Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, UK
11. March 2019 – January 2021: Commander, 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, UK
12. January 2021 – June 2021: Deputy Commander, 48th Operations Group, RAF Lakenheath, UK
13. July 2021 – June 2022: Student, National War College, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
14. June 2022 – June 2024, Senior Plans Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans and Posture, Pentagon, Arlington, VA
15. June 2024 – December 2024, Chief, Combat Air Forces and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flying Training Division, 19th Air Force, JBSA – Randolph, TX
16. December 2024 – August 2025, Chief, Curriculum and Courseware Division, 19th Air Force Flying Training Center of Excellence, JBSA – Randolph, TX
17. August 2025 – Present, Deputy Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2017 – June 2018: Aide-de-Camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, VA, as a major
2. June 2022 – June 2024, Senior Plans Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Plans and Posture, Pentagon, Arlington, VA, as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 2,600, including 1,300 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38C, F-15E
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with thirteen oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
USAF General Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award, 2013
DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2004
First Lieutenant June 2006
Captain June 2008
Major August 2014
Lieutenant Colonel August 2018
Colonel April 2024
(Current as of August 2025)