Colonel Diana Loucks is an Academy Professor and serves as the Director of Advanced Physics in the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (D/PaNE). As a Signaleer, her assignments include Korea (July 1997-July 1998), Germany (August 1998 – September 2001), and Fort Bragg, North Carolina (April 2002 – May 2006), including a deployment in support to Multi-National Corps Iraq at Camp Victory, Logistics Support Area Anaconda, and Al Asad Airbase during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  Colonel Loucks became a Space Operations Officer in 2009 and served as the Chief of Space and Special Programs for the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, including support to combat operations as a member of Combined Joint Task Force – 4 (June 2013 – April 2014), Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Colonel Loucks earned both a masters and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder Colorado. During her masters’ studies (June 2006 - May 2008) she participated as the communications subsystem design lead on a graduate design team for the Air Force Research Laboratory sponsored University Nanosat V Competition winner: the Drag and Atmospheric Neutral Density Explorer (DANDE). Colonel Loucks went on to earn her PhD in 2017 and was recently named the first West Point recipient of the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program for her research focused on the physical mechanisms & operational effects of ionospheric interference on unencrypted navigation solution parameters. 

Additionally, Colonel Loucks serves currently as the Faculty Officer in Charge of the Protestant Chapel Choir and Chair of the Local Organizing Committee for West Point as a host site for the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics. Colonel Loucks’ military awards include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), and the Air Force Commendation Medal. She has earned both the Master Space and Basic Parachutist badges. She is a 2022 recipient of the University of Colorado Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences department Outstanding Alumni for Excellence in Public Service award. Colonel Loucks is stationed here with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Gary A Loucks, Jr., Chief of Operations and Plans, Army Cyber Institute, and their four beagles, Leo (10), Lillie (10), Clay (5) and Bentley (2).