Col. (Dr.) Melissa M. Runge is the Deputy Director, U.S. Space Force Medical Operations Directorate, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General, Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Focused on space medicine operations, implementation and innovations, Col. Runge enables Force presentation / capabilities and ensures 9,400 Guardians in three Field Commands and 20 critical mission units are medically ready and optimized to execute Global Integrated Combat Operations in the multidimensional space domain.
Col. Runge previously served as the Command Surgeon, U.S. Space Command, where she advised the CDR USSPACECOM and the command’s senior staff on all Joint Health Service in support of policy, plans and engagements in order to deter aggression and develop combat ready forces prepared to fight for and preserve U.S. and allied space superiority. In addition, she developed and implemented medical plans, programs and policies in support of global Human Space Flight Support operations.
Col. Runge received her commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps at the Pennsylvania State University in 2002. She completed Space and Missile training in March 2003 before she was selected through the Health Professions and Scholarship Program to attend medical school at the University of Virginia. She is a Flight Surgeon, board-certified in Family Medicine and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians with current clinical practice through the 779th Medical Group, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa.
2002 Officer Space Prerequisite Training, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
2003 ICBM Operations Training, Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Doctor of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
2012 Residency in Family Medicine, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2016 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2018 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course 101, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2019 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course 201, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2020 Air War College, by correspondence
2021 Aerospace Medicine Primary Course 202, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2022 Aircraft Mishap Investigation and Prevention Course, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson, Ohio
2022 Certified Physician Executive through the American Association for Physician Leadership
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2002 - March 2003, Student, Officer Space Prerequisite Training / ICBM Operations Training, 392d Training Squadron, Vandenberg AFB, Calf.
2. March 2003 - May 2004, Squadron Executive Officer, 320th Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
3. May 2004 - August 2005, ICBM Combat Crew Deputy Commander, 320th Missile Squadron, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
4. August 2005 - May 2009, Medical Student, UVA, Charlottesville, Va.
5. June 2009 - June 2012, Family Medicine Resident, 99th Medical Operations Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. July 2012 - July 2013, Physician, Emergency Services, 51st Medical Operations Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
7. August 2013 - August 2016, Medical Operations Flight CC, 422d Medical Operations Squadron, RAF Croughton, England
8. September 2016 - August 2017, Family Health Physician, Urgent Care Center, 59th Medical Operations Flight, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
9. August 2017 - September 2018, Acute Care Flight CC, 59th Medical Operations Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
10. October 2018 - May 2019, Emergency Services Flight CC, 59th Medical Operations Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
11. June 2019 - August 2019, Commander, 42d Medical Operations Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. August 2019 - June 2021, Commander, 42d Health Care Operations Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. July 2020 - June 2021, Deputy Commander, 42d Medical Group, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. July 2021 - August 2024, Deputy Command Surgeon and Chief, Medical Operations, USSPACECOM, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
15. September 2024 - June 2025, Command Surgeon, USSPACECOM, Peterson SFB, Colo.
16. June 2025 - present, Deputy Director USSF Medical Operations, Office of the Surgeon General, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2021 - August 2024, Deputy Command Surgeon and Chief, Medical Operations, USSPACECOM, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a Lieutenant Colonel
2. September 2024 - June 2025, Command Surgeon, USSPACECOM, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a Colonel
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 59th Medical Wing, FGO of the 3rd Quarter
2022 United States Space Command, FGO of the 2nd Quarter
2022 NDIA Patriot Award Recipient
2022 USSPACECOM FGO Lance P. Sijan Award Recipient
OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
Medical Corps, master
Flight Surgeon, basic
Missile Operator, basic
Space, basic
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
American Academy of Family Physicians
Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians
American Association for Physician Leadership
Aerospace Medical Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 10, 2002
First Lieutenant May 10, 2004
Captain May 16, 2009
Major November 9, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel May 30, 2019
Colonel June 1, 2024
(Current as of September 2025)