Scott Zobrist graduated from St. Paul High School in 1982. He attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. He earned his commission in 1986 as a distinguished graduate of USC’s ROTC program. In 1987 he was a graduate from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB, Texas and was assigned to fly the F-16. He has also attended and graduated from Squadron officer School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, has a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, has graduated from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB and has a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Brigadier General Scott J. Zobrist is the Commander, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. He commands the only permanently assigned U.S. Air Force Fighter aircraft wing in NATO’s Southern Region. With approximately 4,200 active-duty military members, nearly 300 U.S. civilians and 600 Italian civilian employees, the wing conducts and supports air combat operations and maintains munitions for NATO. The wing’s mission is driven by two combat-ready F-16CM Fighting Falcon fighter squadrons and an air control squadron. Brig. Gen. Zobrist has flown the F-16 at five operational bases in the United States and Europe. His combat experience includes Operation Deliberate Force over Bosnia where he served as mission commander of NATO’s first mission of the campaign in 1995. He also deployed as the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Deputy Director, Air Component Coordination Element, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and Vice Commander, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Operation Enduring Freedom. General Zobrist has held staff positions at the Air Staff, Air Combat Command, U.S. Forces Japan, and 9th Air Force. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours. From July of 1998 through February of 1999 Scott was Program Element Monitor, Directorate of Special Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. and from February of 1999 to June of 2000 he was Action Officer, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Action Group, also in Washington, D.C.

Major awards and decorations include Defense Superior Service Med- al, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.