How the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force have defined Col. Mia Walsh’s military career
By Patti Hirahara, P.C. Contributor
While watching the Fox 11 news in 2024, I saw an impressive story about Col. Mia L. Walsh for a piece on Women’s History Month in Southern California that left me wanting to learn more about her impressive public service career and deep affinity for her cultural Japanese roots.
Col. Mia L. Walsh (Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Space Force)
Walsh is a Sansei who was raised in Hilo, Hawaii, and I wondered what she would want people to know about her life.
“I’d love for people to know that my parents are amazing and instilled in all three of us, my sisters and I, a strong work ethic,” said Walsh. “It’s something my sisters and I talk about a lot because we all take a lot of pride in our work, and we feel that is because we always see our parents working hard. We’re all fairly frugal as well, probably something that came from our upbringing. We laugh about my mother smoothing out the tin foil to reuse, but then my husband makes fun of me for washing out Ziploc bags and reusing them!
“I had a great upbringing in Hawaii,” Walsh continued, “coming from a large family on both sides, and I really valued my Japanese culture.”
Col. Walsh and I had conversations over a series of months about her life and illustrious military career, which has included 10 major awards and military decorations. She returned to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to work as the director of the Current Operations Division, Headquarters Space Force Staff, at the Pentagon. She leads six branches, including the Space Force Service Watch cell and is responsible for policy, guidance and oversight of Space Force current operations.
Patti Hirahara for the Pacific Citizen: Being raised in Hawaii, your family was very active in the Japanese community there. What aspects of their Japanese community activities do you feel added to your preparation to having a career in the military?
Mia L. Walsh: My family was very involved in church — we belong to Hilo Hongwanji. I grew up in the church, going to church’s Japanese language school from kindergarten through fifth grade, teaching Sunday school and playing the organ for church on Sunday. . . . I think I’m very inspired by the culture I saw around me growing up. Japanese people work very hard, don’t complain and value group consensus and mutual respect, which I feel translates well to being in the military.
The P.C.: Who inspired you when you were growing up?
Walsh: Ellison Onizuka visited my elementary school when I was in the fourth grade. He was the first astronaut from Hawaii, the first Buddhist astronaut and the first Japanese American astronaut. His one visit instilled in me an interest in space, and I went home that daydreaming of becoming an astronaut. The importance of seeing someone who grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii like I did, whose grandparents came over from Japan to work in the sugar cane fields, just as mine did, who grew up in the Buddhist faith and attended public school —
it was something I would never have dreamed of but his presence in the community inspired me.
The P.C.: What made you decide to join the U.S. Air Force?
Walsh: I always wanted to be an astronaut, and when I was in high school, everyone said joining the military would be the best path toward achieving that goal. I love being in the military — first the Air Force and now the Space Force — and I believe it is my calling.
The P.C.: What were the highlights of your U.S. Air Force career?
Walsh: I have loved every assignment in my career — from being an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) operator in Cheyenne, Wyo., which was quite a culture shock for a first assignment, to working in the National Military Command Center. The highlight of my career is having the opportunity to work with amazing people, from all walks of life. I have learned so much from other people I serve with, and we all share a deep sense of patriotic duty and a great love for this country and what it represents.
California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) on March 2, 2023, named U.S. Space Force Col. Mia Tsutsumi Walsh as the 2023 Woman of the Year in the 66th Assembly District. He is shown escorting her to the podium at the State Capitol building. (Photo: Courtesy of Col. Mia Walsh)
The P.C.: You are now a member of the U.S. Space Force. When was the U.S. Space Force created, and what does it do?
Walsh: The U.S. Space Force was created on Dec. 20, 2019. We’ll celebrate our 6th birthday this month! The mission of the U.S. Space Force is to secure our nation’s interests in, from and to space.
Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, Space Systems Command commander, holds the guidon flag with Col. Mia Walsh, who is relinquishing command of Space Base Delta 3 on May 29, 2024. CMSgt. Sarah Morgan, senior enlisted leader for SBD3, holds the guidon in the back. The guidon is a symbol of the transfer of authority. (Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Space Force)
The P.C.: What is your most gratifying assignment to date?
Walsh: My most gratifying assignments were both times I was able to command — at the 18th Space Control Squadron at Vandenberg and at Los Angeles Air Force Base. I served as the Commander of Space Base Delta 3 (SBD 3) in El Segundo, Calif. In that position, I was responsible for five squadrons and six staff agencies, supporting over 7,000 personnel with $1.3 billion in physical plant assets and managed the annual execution of an $80 million budget.
The P.C.: Why did you find this assignment most rewarding?
Walsh: It is always very special when you are chosen to lead. Gen Mark Welsh, former chief of staff of the Air Force, said, “Leadership is a gift. It’s given by those who follow. You have to be worthy of it.” This is one of my favorite quotes about leadership. It is a gift. I feel very fortunate that I was selected to lead, first a squadron of about 120 people plus a detachment of 60 or so in Dahlgren, Va., and then serving as the installation commander in Los Angeles. Taking care of people is the most amazing job in the military — when you take care of people, they can take care of the mission.
The P.C.: Who is the one person who is the most influential in your life?
Walsh: I would have to say my husband, Mark. He’s my best friend and biggest supporter, and I know he always believes in me and is proud of me. As a prior military officer, I’m proud of who he is and what he stands for — he also believes very much in taking care of people — and I am always meeting people who say how lucky they were to have worked for him. We’ve been separated for numerous deployments (90 days, 120 days, 180 days) and two long separations of two years each. We make it work because we understand how important serving is to both of us, and we also understand how important family is to both of us.
(From left) Taylor Walsh, Mark Walsh, Col. Mia Walsh and Dylan Walsh at the Rose Bowl for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, where Col. Walsh was honored for her service. (Photo: Courtesy of Col. Mia Walsh)
The P.C.: You attended your first JAVA event on Veterans Day in 2024, which was held at the Japanese American National Monument in Washington, D.C. In attending that event and meeting other military officers, what did that experience mean to you?
Walsh: My entire family honors those who serve and those who came before us on both Veterans Day and Memorial Day. We have always made it a priority to pay homage, every day, but especially on those two days.
I very much enjoyed the JAVA event at the Japanese American National Monument and was especially happy to see Norio Uyematsu, who was JAVA’s Veterans Day keynote speaker, who I met at the Kazuo Masuda VFW Post 3670 while I was the installation commander at LA AFB. The VFW post kindly asked me to speak, and it was truly an honor to meet the members of the post. I am not an emotional person, but I found myself getting choked up as I thought about the sacrifices of the many Japanese Americans who served their country so proudly.
Col. Mia Walsh spoke to members of the Kazuo Masuda Memorial VFW Post 3670 on May 6, 2024. Pictured (from left, front row) are David Uyematsu, Muneo Hamano, Norio Uyematsu, Col. Walsh and Toki Endo; (back row, from left) Ken Hayashi, Tim Yoshinaga, James Styles, David Miyoshi and VFW Commander James Nakamura. (Photo: Patti Hirahara)
Col. Mia L. Walsh attends JAVA’s 2024 Veterans Day event in Washington, D.C. Pictured (from left) are Col. Walsh, former Embassy of Japan Minister and Head of Chancery Masaru Sato, JAVA President Howard High and Taylor Walsh. (Photo: Patti Hirahara)
The P.C.: What opportunities are available for women in the U.S. military today?
Walsh: I think for the younger generation, it’s important for them to see female leaders who have families and who make those sacrifices. I think it’s not unusual to see that these days, which is nice. I have lots of friends who’ve made serving our country and having a family work, and I think it’s great that we have that opportunity to choose.
The P.C.: What advice would you give to Japanese Americans considering a career in the U.S. military?
Walsh: I would tell them that it is very honorable to be able to serve your country and that I am grateful for having the opportunity to wear the uniform. Our heritage in uniform lies in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and I am grateful every day for the sacrifices they made.
The P.C.: What other things would you like people to know?
Walsh: I would also want people to know how much I value the 442nd since I had two uncles who served in the U.S. Army in WWII and all the Japanese men and women who came before me who paved the way so I could serve my country. I’m sure it was not easy, and I am so grateful for their sacrifice and service. I believe very strongly in giving back to the community, and I was blessed to be able to do that while in Los Angeles.
