Col Dorrie E. Staal is the 159th Deputy Commander of the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, LA. She is responsible for assisting the Wing Commander in formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, plans, and programs affecting more than 1,500 Louisiana Air National Guard Airmen and civilians throughout the State.
Colonel Staal was born and raised in Arkansas where she graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1992. She graduated from Henderson State University in 1998, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. In 2016 Colonel Staal earned a master’s degree in military science with a focus on joint operational warfare.
In August of 2006, Colonel Staal joined the Arkansas Air National Guard and direct commissioned as a Captain into the Nurse Corp of the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Colonel Staal served in a variety of roles at the 188th including serving as the Chief Nurse of the wing from 2008 to 2012. In 2012, Colonel Staal and her family relocated to Gonzales, Louisiana and she transferred to the Louisiana Air National Guard and joined the 159th Fighter Wing where she was assigned to the CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) within the Medical Group. Colonel Staal served as a trauma nurse on the CERFP Medical Element until 2016 when she was assigned as the Detachment 1 Commander of the medical group. Colonel Staal continued serving as the Det 1 Commander until March of 2023, however, from March of 2020 to October 2022, Colonel Staal served in a critical role of COVID-19 response. She worked as a medical advisor to key State leadership during the height of the pandemic response and served as the commander for vaccination and testing task force. She was responsible for running more than 50 vaccination and testing sites simultaneously throughout the State of Louisiana and led over 700 soldiers and airmen. In March of 2023, Colonel Staal was assigned as the Medical Group Commander and served in that role until May of 2026. Colonel Staal has also served in numerous state emergencies including Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Delta, Hurricane Zeta, and Hurricane Laura where she served as a senior military advisor to ESF-8 (Louisiana Department of Health).
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2006 Reserved Commissioned Officer Training
2010 Squadron Officer School
2016 Air Command and Staff College (Master of Military Operational Art and Science)
2022 Air War College
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 2006-2008 Immunization Officer, 188th Fighter Wing, Fort Smith, Arkansas
2. 2008-2012 Chief Nurse, 188th Fighter Wing, Fort Smith, Arkansas
3. 2012-2016 Nurse CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package, 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, La.
4. 2016-2023 Detachment 1 Commander, CERFP Medical Element, 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, La.
5. 2023-2026 Medical Group Commander, 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans, La.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal - 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award - 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal - 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award - 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal - 1 Hourglass Device
Air and Space Training Ribbon
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Louisiana War Cross
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal - 1 Device
Louisiana General Excellence
Louisiana F Edward Hebert Meritorious Unit Commendation
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Captain - June 5, 2005
Major - December 4, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel - April 14, 2016
Colonel - July 27, 2023