Col Elena Arushanyan is the Commander of the Columbus Medical Group, Columbus AFB, Mississippi. She leads, trains, and equips 156 medics delivering medical support to the Air Force’s largest flying training wing. She supports 43,000 sorties and ensures ready, reliable healthcare for 13,000 beneficiaries. Col Arushanyan sustains a $32 million dollar facility, oversees $821,000 Home Station Medical Response support, and executes an annual budget of $8 million dollars.
Col Arushanyan first entered military service with the United States Air Force in January 2004. She began her career as a clinical nurse and following an AFIT assignment at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, in Bethesda, MD, became a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Later, Col Arushanyan specialized as an Aeromedical Nurse Practitioner, gaining valuable operational experience. Over the past 22 years, she excelled as a leader, clinician, and a life-long learner, earning a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Prior to her current position, Col Arushanyan served as the 88th Inpatient Operations Squadron Commander, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Col Arushanyan deployed to support detainee operations in June 2015. Additionally, she led 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Joint Task Force OPERATION ALLIED REFUGE response in August 2021, triaging 35,000 allied mission partners and their families in support of the largest noncombatant evacuation operation in history.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, Augustana University, Sioux Falls, S.D.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Science in Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md.
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Basic Leadership Airman Skills Training, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2018 Leader Development for Squadron Command, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2018 Doctor of Nursing Practice, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minn., by correspondence
2019 Aerospace Medicine Primary Courses, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2021 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Intermediate Executive Skills Course, Joint Medical Executive Skills Institute, by correspondence
2023 Nursing Practice Oversight Course, Orlando, Fla.
2023 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., by correspondence
2024 Nursing Practice Oversight Course, Orlando, Fla.
2025 Nurse Executive-Advanced Certification Interactive Online Review Course, American Nurses Association, by correspondence
2026 Pre-Command Team Training Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2004-May 2009, Clinical Nurse, Family Health and Pediatric Clinics, 95 MDOS, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2. May 2008-May 2011, Family Nurse Practitioner Student, Graduate School of Nursing, USUHS, Bethesda, Md.
3. June 2011-August 2015, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Health Clinic, 359 MDOS, Randolph AFB, Texas (June 2015, Family
Nurse Practitioner, undisclosed location)
4. August 2015-July 2017, Element Chief, Family Health Clinic, 48 MDOS, RAF Lakenheath, England
5. July 2017-July 2019, Family Health Flight Commander, 48 MDOS, RAF Lakenheath, England
6. August 2019-July 2020, Aeromedical Nurse Practitioner, Flight and Operational Medicine Clinic, 86 AMDS, Ramstein AB,
Germany
7. August 2020–May 2022, Flight and Operational Medicine Flight Commander, 86 OMRS, Ramstein AB, Germany
8. June 2022–June 2024, Commander, 47 OMRS, and Chief Nurse, 47 MDG, Laughlin AFB, Texas
9. July 2024 – July 2025, Chief Nurse, 628 MDG, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
10. July 2025 – June 2026, Commander, 88 IPTS, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
11. June 2026 – Present, Commander, Columbus MDG, Columbus AFB, Mississippi
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
American Association of Ambulatory Care Nurses
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
American Nurses Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Commissioned as Second Lieutenant to USAF Jan 12, 2004 (Date of Rank December 27, 2002)
First Lieutenant December 27, 2004
Captain December 27, 2006
Major August 1, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2020
Colonel July 1, 2025
(Current as of Feb 2026)