Lt Col Robert A. Newton is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the United States Air Force Academy. In this role, he helps deliver a world-class undergraduate mathematics education to cadets, laying a foundation of critical thinking across all majors for future officers.

Lt Col Newton was commissioned in 2006 upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Following qualification as an electronic warfare officer on the AC-130H, he served in various squadron level roles, including formal training unit instructor, and deployed multiple times to combat in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. After graduating from United States Air Force Test Pilot School, he was qualified as a combat and weapons systems officer on the AC-130W and AC-130J, assigned to 413th Flight Test Squadron, where he tested aircraft performance and systems on primarily special operations aircraft and deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

Lt Col Newton served in a joint capacity at Special Operations Command – Central as the Chief of Deliberate Plans, integrating special operations into planning efforts across two Unified Combatant Commands, as well as the Deputy Director for the Commander’s Action Group. Prior to his current position, Lt Col Newton was the Commander, 412th Operations Support Squadron.

Ph.D., Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Penn State University (2023)

M.S., Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (2014)

M.S., Operations Management, University of Arkansas (2010)

B.S., Systems Engineering, United States Air Force Academy (2006)

Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy (Jun 2025-Present)

Commander – 412th OSS, Edwards AFB (Jun 2023-May 2025)

Deputy CAG Director, Liaison to the Joint Staff, and Chief of Deliberate Plans – SOCCENT, MacDill AFB (Jun 2018-Jul 2020)

Assistant Operations Officer, Flight Commander, Chief of Current Ops, and Instructor Test CSO – 413th FLTS, Hurlburt Field (Feb 2015-Jun 2018)

Flight Commander, Executive Officer, Weapons & Tactics Officer, Wing Scheduling Officer, and Instructor AC-130H EWO –16th SOS, 27th OSS, 551st SOS, Cannon AFB (Jan 2009-Jul 2013)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air and Space Commendation Medal

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air and Space Achievement Medal