Bio
Major Nicholas A. Eckenrode is an Assistant Professor of History in the Department of History within the Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His academic interests include Cold War history, nuclear strategy, modern military history, and the role of technology and intelligence in national security decision-making. He teaches core courses in military and world history.
Major Eckenrode enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2008 and served as an Aerospace Medical Technician. His experience included emergency medicine, internal medicine, allergy and immunization, and flight medicine. He also served in Europe and the Middle East in support of the Global War on Terror, including Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He later supported operations in Libya during Operations ODYSSEY DAWN and UNIFIED PROTECTOR.
Major Eckenrode earned his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Oklahoma and received his commission through Air Force ROTC in 2015. He completed Nuclear and Missile Operations training at Vandenberg Space Force Base. He went on to serve on intercontinental ballistic missile combat crews before becoming an instructor, trainer, and evaluator.
Major Eckenrode earned his Ph.D. in history from the Ohio State University through the Air Force Advanced Academic Degree Program. He joined the faculty of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2024. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Lauren, their two beautiful daughters Lillian and Eleanor, and their German shepherd Dirk.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Military History, The Ohio State University (2024)
Master of Art, Military History, Norwich University (2018)
Bachelor of Art, History, University of Oklahoma (2015)
Professional Experience
Instructor of History, United States Air Force Academy (2024–present)
ICBM Evaluator/Instructor, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (2018–2021)
ICBM Assistant Flight Commander, Minot AFB, N.D. (2015–2018)
Aerospace Medical Technician, Airborne Alert and Warning Combat System, Tinker AFB (2010-2015)
Aerospace Medical Technician, Specialties Medical Element, RAF Lakenheath (2008–2010)
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2020)
Airman Leadership School, Tinker AFB, Okla. (2011)
Honors & Awards
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with “N” Device
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Squadron Instructor of the Year, 12 MS, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB 2019
Independent Duty Medical Technician of the Year, 552nd Operations Group, Tinker AFB, 2011
Commandant Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School, Tinker AFB, 2011
Research and Scholarly Interests
Military History
Cold War
Nuclear Strategic Studies
War and Society
Publications
“Who Lost Iran? A Critical Reassessment of U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iran, 1953–1979.” Dānesh: The OU Undergraduate Journal of Iranian Studies 1, no. 1 (2016).
“So That Others May Live: The Struggle of Jewish Doctors to Preserve Life in the Holocaust.” University of Oklahoma Historical Journal 1, no. 4 (2015).
“Strangers in Their Own Land: How Moorish Occupation Conditioned Spanish Views of the New World.” University of Oklahoma Historical Journal 1, no. 3 (2014).
Reviews
Review of The End of Victory: Prevailing in the Thermonuclear Age. Journal of Military History 87, no. 2 (April 2023): 535–36.
Review of Soviet Air Power of the Cold War. Journal of Military History 87, no. 4 (October 2023): 1177–79.
Review of To Run the World: The Kremlin’s Cold War Bid for Global Power. Journal of Military History 89, no. 2 (April 2025): 516–18.
Presentations
“Something Less Than Harmony: The Trials and Tribulations of SALT II,” Military Frontiers Symposium, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2025.
“Restoring the Margin of Safety,” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California, 2023
“Concerning the Situation in ‘A’,” Military Frontiers Symposium, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 2023