Colonel Andrew G. Clemmensen is the Commander, U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. Col. Clemmensen oversees a staff of seventy-five personnel and is responsible for a highly structured 10-month program designed to guide Cadet Candidates from basic training through academic preparation, military training, athletics, and character development. The mission of the Preparatory School is to motivate, prepare, and evaluate selected candidates in an academic, military, moral, and physical environment, to perform successfully at the Academy.

Col. Clemmensen received his commission upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in May 2002. He is an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD)-qualified civil engineer officer. He has held multiple leadership roles at the flight, squadron, and group levels. Additionally, he has served at the Major Command and Air Staff Headquarters levels.

Col. Clemmensen has deployed five times to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility where he led EOD teams conducting counter-improvised explosive device operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He led a joint EOD task force during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. In 2022 he directed reception and sustainment operations for more than 16,000 Afghan evacuees during Operations Allies Refuge and Allies Welcome. Col. Clemmensen also has conducted research and analysis on artificial intelligence, explosive hazards, and Middle East geopolitics published by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

National Defense Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Washington, D.C. (2024)

National & International Security Leadership Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C. (2022)

Distinguished Graduate, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, MCB Quantico, Va. (2015)

Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence (2011)

Masters of Arts in International Relations, American Military University, Va. (2011)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (2008)

Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2002)

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (2002)

Commander United Sates Air Force Academy Preparatory School, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (June 2026 – present)

Chief of Cadet Support and Activities Division, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (July 2025 – May 2026)

Chief of Strategy and Plans Division, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (June 2024 – July 2025)

National Defense Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Washington, D.C. (August 2023 – June 2024)

Branch Chief, Emergency Management Branch, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (July 2022 – July 2023)

Deputy Commander, 87th Mission Support Group, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ (July 2021 – July 2022)

Commander, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ (July 2019 – July 2021)

Commander, 366th Training Squadron, Detachment 3, Eglin AFB, Fla. (August 2017 – July 2019)

Chief, Support Airmen Career Management Branch and Chief of Civil Engineer Officer Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas (June 2015 – August 2017)

Student, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, MCB Quantico, Va. (June 2014 – June 2015)

Officer in Charge of Demilitarization Planning and Survey, 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group, Kandahar AB, Afghanistan and Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates (January 2013 – August 2013)

Operations Flight Commander, 21st CES, Peterson AFB, Colo. (July 2012 – June 2014)

Deputy Branch Chief, Requirements and Basing, Pacific Air Forces Directorate of Installations and Mission Support, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (June 2011 – July 2012)

EOD Bravo Flight Commander, 755th AES, Kandahar AB, Afghanistan (February 2010 – September 2010)

Deputy Branch Chief, Operations Functional Management, Pacific Air Forces Directorate of Installations and Mission Support, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (July 2009 – June 2011)

EOD Bravo Flight Commander, 755th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan (April 2008 – June 2008)

EOD Flight Commander, 447th ECES, Camp Taji, Iraq (October 2007 – April 2008)

Executive Officer and Director of Operations, Weapons Intelligence Flight, Camp Victory, Iraq (December 2006 – February 2007)

Assistant Operations Officer, EOD Mobile Unit Two, Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq (July 2006 – December 2006)

EOD Flight Commander, 99th CES, Nellis AFB, Nev. (November 2005 – July 2009)

Student, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, Fla. (February 2005 – November 2005)

Chief of Maintenance Engineering, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait (June 2004 – September 2004)

Environmental Engineer, 314th Civil Engineer Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark. (August 2002 – February 2005)

Bronze Star

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Army Commendation Medal

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Effective Dates of Promotion

Colonel Aug. 1, 2023

Lieutenant Colonel Mar. 1, 2017

Major Apr. 1, 2012

Captain May 29, 2006

First Lieutenant May 29, 2004

Second Lieutenant May 29, 2002

Current as of June 2026