NE-02: Don Bacon (R)
PROFILE
About Bacon:
Don Bacon was raised on a farm in the Midwest. He worked his way through college and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Political Science degree in 1984. He married his college girlfriend, Angie, in the same year. He later earned master’s degrees from University of Phoenix and National War College.
Bacon joined the Air Force in 1985 and served for 29 years, retiring as a Brigadier General. He served in the intelligence, electronic warfare, reconnaissance and public affairs career fields and had 16 assignments all over the world. He commanded twice at the wing level, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. He also commanded one group, one squadron, and one expeditionary squadron. He deployed four times during his career to the Middle East to include commanding an electronic warfare squadron during the invasion of Iraq and a year-long tour to Baghdad during the surge in 2007-2008.
He won multiple awards during his time in the Air Force including Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, and two Bronze Stars. He was selected as Europe’s top Air Force Wing Commander in 2009. He was a distinguished graduate in his Air and Command Staff College, Navigator School, and Intelligence School.
He has also worked for Rep. Jeff Fortenberry as his military advisor focusing on Offutt Air Force Base and Nebraska National Guard, and was an assistant professor at Bellevue University teaching undergraduate leadership courses and American vision and values (The Kirkpatrick Signature Series).
Don resides in Papillion with Angie, his wife of over 35 years. They have four children and five grandchildren.