Major James D. Couch, USAF (Ret)

 

James D. Couch was born in 1970 in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Greenon High School in Springfield, Ohio in 1989. He voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force prior to Desert Shield/Storm in April of 1990. After completing 6 weeks of basic training at Lackland Air force Base, he attended the Security Police Academy at Lackland. His training them took him on to attend the Air Base Ground Defense Course held at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Upon completion of his training in 1990, Major Couch had several assignments to include the Security Forces Alarm Response Team Leader and S-4 in Sembach AB, Germany from August 1990-August 1993, Security Escort Team Leader at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming from September 1993-June 1996, NCOIC Personnel Readiness Unit at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California from July 1996-August 1999, Security Forces Resources and Training in Little Rock AFB in Arkansas from July 2001-July 2003, Delta Flight Commander, 48 Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from August 2003-August 2004, Security Forces Training and Resources Flight Commander, 48 Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom from August 2004-January 2006, Operations Flight Commander, 349 Recruiting Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma from January 2006-August 2009, National Police Training Coordinator, MNSTC-I/CPATT in Baghdad, Iraq from March 2008-March 2009, Operations Officer, 10th Security Forces United States Air Force Academy in Colorado from August 2009-February 2012, Chief, Plans and Requirements, Peterson AFB in Colorado from February 2012-June 2013, Commander, 10th Security Forces United States Air Force Academy in Colorado from June 2013-August 2013, Chief, Plans and Requirements, Peterson AFB in Colorado from August 2013-June 2014 and Commander of the 78th Security Forces Squadron at Robins AFB in Georgia from June 2014-September 2014.

Major Couch's major military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service ribbon with Gold Border.

Upon retirement, Major Couch immediately interviewed and accepted employment with Tecumseh Local Schools as the Senior Aerospace Instructor in January 2015.

Schools attended: Security Police Academy, Ground Combat Skills Course Level I and II, Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force, B.A. in Sociology from Wright State University, Security Forces Officer School, Ground Combat Skills Level 4, First Responders/Hazmat/Disaster Control, Ground Defense Command Course, Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection Level II, Squadron Officer School, Security Forces Command Course.

Major Couch is married to the former Brenda K. Garman. They have 3 children: Brittany, Ashley, and Tyler. Their family also includes their son-in-law A1C Mathew D. Miller who is married to their oldest child.