Mr. Michael A. Collins joined Joint Task Force Civil Support as the Chief of Staff in August 2006 assigned in a uniformed military capacity as a U.S. Navy Captain. Headquartered at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Va., JTFCS is assigned to U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and is focused on chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) CBRN response planning, preparedness and command and control of Department of Defense (DOD) forces during CBRN incidents. The commander of U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) serves as the Joint Force Land Component Commander and has operational control of JTF-CS.

Collins graduated from Loyola University of the South in 1981 with a degree in Computer Science, and received his commission from Tulane University NROTC. He received his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in July 1982 and subsequently completed Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) training in the EA-6B Prowler aircraft at VAQ-129, the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS).

Collins has served in sea duty assignments with various units including, VAQ-133 in USS Enterprise (CVN 65), VAQ-135 in USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), VAQ-140 in USS George Washington (CVN 73) & USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and as Operations Officer in Carrier Group Four. In 1986, Collins was awarded the Tailhook Association Award for the Top Naval Flight Officer in the Pacific Fleet. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he served in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as one of four U.S. Navy targeteers in the Central Command Joint Force Air Component Command Strike Cell. In 1991, he was awarded the Association of Old Crows Joint Service Medal for his contributions to tactical electronic warfare and joint strike operations.

Shore duty tours include VAQ-129, Medium Attack Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Naval Strike Warfare Center (Strike U), and as the EA-6B Requirements Officer in OPNAV N88. In 1988, he was awarded the VAQ-129 Dave Dillon Award for Inspirational Leadership.

Collins has commanded the VAQ-140 Patriots and the VAQ-129 Vikings, the EA-6B FRS. During his tour with VAQ-140, his organization won the USCINCPACFLT Golden Anchor Award for retention. During his tour with VAQ-129, he was awarded the 2001 Vice Admiral John Perry Award for Leadership in the Prowler community. Collins commanded Naval Support Activity, Norfolk, VA., and Regional Support Services for the Mid-Atlantic Region from July 2004 to August 2006.

He has over 3,200 flight hours in the EA-6B Prowler and 930 carrier arrested landings. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (4), Air Medal (strike/flight) (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous unit awards and citations. Collins retired from the Navy in August 2010. He resumed his duties as JTF-CS Chief of Staff in a Department of the Air Force civil service capacity.