Colonel Ryan M. Graf is the Deputy Commander, 15th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The 15th Wing provides trained and ready Airmen to the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Commander, Pacific Air Forces to execute strategic airlift, executive airlift, and air dominance missions with C-17A, C-37A, and F-22A aircraft. The 15th Wing is also responsible for the safe and effective operation of Hickam Field. Hickam Field serves as a strategic launching pad for the projection of American airpower throughout the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility. The wing’s Total Force Integration relationship with the Hawaii Air National Guard is critical to the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the C-17 and F-22 missions. The 15th Wing also serves as the Air Force lead, partnering with the Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, to provide mission support to all other Air Force entities on base.
Colonel Graf received his commission in 2003 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training in 2004, and has held various positions at the squadron, group, wing, and headquarters levels. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Graf was the Operational Imperative Division Chief, A8 Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Colonel Graf is a command pilot with more than 1,800 hours in the T-37B, T-38, F-15C, and F-22A aircraft. He has flown combat missions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Master of Science in Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
2020 Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
ASSIGNMENTS
- May 2003 – August 2004, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
- September 2004 – December 2004, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
- January 2005 – August 2005, Student, F-15C Pilot Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- September 2005 – December 2007, F-15C Flight Lead, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
- January 08 – October 09, Chief of Mobility, F-22 Flight Lead, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
- December 2009 – December 2011, Chief of Wing Scheduling, F-22 Instructor Pilot, Holloman AFB, N.M.
- December 2012 – August 2013, Director of Staff, F-22 Evaluator Pilot, Holloman AFB, N.M.
- September 2013 – June 2014, Assistant Director of Operations, F-22 Instructor Pilot, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
- July 2014 – June 2015, Student, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
- July 2015 – June 2017, Joint Action Officer, Air Land Sea Application Center, JB Langley-Eustis, Va.
- July 2017 – January 2018, Director of Operations, 90th Fighter Squadron, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
- February 2018 – February 2020, Commander, 90th Fighter Squadron, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
- March 2020 – June 2020, Deputy Commander, 3rd Operations Group, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
- July 2020 – June 2021, SDE Student, Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
- July 2021 – December 2022, Air Superiority Branch Chief, A8 Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
- January 2023 – June 2024, Operational Imperatives Division Chief, A8 Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
- June 2024 – Present, Deputy Commander, 15th Wing, JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jul 2015 – June 2017, Joint Action Officer, Air Land Sea Application Center, JB Langley-Eustis, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: Over 1,800
Aircraft flown: T-37B, T-38, F-15C, F-22A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 2003
First Lieutenant April 2005
Captain April 2007
Major March 2013
Lieutenant Colonel November 2017
Colonel May 2023
(Current as of July 2024)