Click to return to Wall of Distinction
Tracy Ferguson graduated as Salutatorian from Dayton High School in 1997. Following graduation, she attended Miami University, graduating Cum Laude, earning a Bachelor of Science degree while being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF). Tracy served her first two assignments with the Air Force Space Command where she excelled as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations instructor and the Weapons and Tactics (W&T) Flight Commander for a multi-billion dollar protected satellite communications constellation. She was also selected and graduated from the USAF Weapons School, one of the most academically rigorous schoolhouses in the world, where she studied some of the toughest real-world problems faced by the Department of Defense. Following Weapons School graduation, she deployed as the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) Theater Space Integrator where she crafted ground-breaking solutions for electromagnetic interference as well as the most detailed plan ever for USCENTCOM’s top priority. Her efforts were highlighted in a USAF article, and she was also recognized as the Combined Forces Air Component Commander’s #1 integrator.
Following her deployment, she served in numerous positions, culminating as the Mission Protection Chief at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). She built the NRO’s Weapons and Tactics program, applying a fully integrated, enterprise approach to space protection with a first-ever space protection playbook initiative. She was part of the initial cadre to stand up the National Space Defense Center, where she designed a revolutionary approach to synchronize commercial and government organizations. As the Director of Operations, she led an 800-member team in delivering 82,000 national intelligence requirements per month. She introduced space strategy to exploit a new domain to keep the U.S. steps ahead of its adversaries. She was awarded the NRO Medal of Distinguished Performance for her lasting and critical contributions to the mission of the NRO.
Tracy was also selected and graduated from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), where she applied air and space power during deliberate planning with the Joint Services. Following CGSC graduation, she was assigned to the Joint Staff (JS) at the Pentagon where she served as a JS J6 Executive Assistant. To prevent further geographic separations from her family, she transferred from Active Duty Air Force to Active Guard Reserve in the California (CA) Air National Guard (ANG). She was assigned as the Commander of the 261st Cyberspace Operations Squadron (261 COS) where she led the 261 COS through various Domestic Operations (DOMOPS) Missions, including Coronavirus Disease 19 pandemic operations, civil unrest and civil support missions, cyber intrusion missions, and fire-fighting operations.
Tracy is currently the Commander of the 147th Combat Communications Squadron (147 CBCS) and of the San Diego Air National Guard Station. Her team supports CA DOMOPS, and is also charged with establishing, maintaining, and defending communications for the joint warfighters in austere locations around the globe.
Some of Tracy’s other achievements include – USAF Squadron Officer School Graduate, Writing Award and Top Third Graduate; Ashworth University Program, w/Honors; Miami University, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi; City University of Seattle, MBA w/focus of Personal Financial Planning; Air Education and Training Command, Superior Academic Achievement, and other various individual and team awards.
Tracy has brought great Honor and Recognition to Dayton High School.