Former Thunderbird takes command of 325th OSS

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dustin Mullen
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The F-22 Raptor is the most lethal air-to-air platform in the world, and America’s guarantee for air dominance. A squadron at Tyndall that supports this lethal machine welcomes a new commander, who brings in a little thunder.

From an early age, the passion for flying was in Lt. Col. Tyler Ellison’s blood. His father, a pilot for Delta Air Lines, introduced a love of flying early, but what sealed that passion in place was an up close encounter with an F-15A Eagle.

“My father had a friend, an Air Force pilot, who flew his F-15 to Point Mugu, which was near our home,” Ellison said. “We had an opportunity to walk around it, sit in the cockpit and that kind of sealed the deal for me. That was when I knew what I wanted to do with my life and my career, which was to become a fighter pilot.”

From then on, every move Ellison made was toward his dream.

“As I was growing up, it was in second or third-grade when I set my goal,” Ellison said. “To do that, there were some very key steps I had to accomplish. I knew I wanted to go into the [U.S. Air Force Academy], but even before then, I started flying because I knew I wanted to be a fighter pilot. I had my pilot’s license before I had my driver’s license.”

After years of striving for his goal and following the roadmap he built, Ellison was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“It was an interesting four years,” he said with a laugh. “When I got to the academy, they told me I was not medically cleared to fly because of my eye. So I spent an entire year working through waivers to get cleared, and even now I am still on a waiver to be able to fly. Even though there were hurdles and roadblocks in the way, flying was something I had such a passion for that I was able to overcome those things and become a fighter pilot.”

Not only did Ellison become a pilot, but he excelled at it. His abilities eventually landed him a slot on the Air Force’s premier air demonstration team, the Thunderbirds.

“I served for three years as the director of operations, as Thunderbird Number 7,” Ellison said. “It was a completely different experience. That organization has a very unique mission of going out and inspiring the next generation of Airmen, and it was challenging. It was a very high operations tempo for that period of time, but it was very rewarding being able to meet the kids and youth that are aspiring to be in the military and part of the Air Force.”

His time as Number 7 shaped his perspective, and provided a unique experience which aids his ability to command the 325th Operations Support Squadron.

“All those interactions the Thunderbirds provided, which has a very diverse team with more than 20 AFSCs coming together, and having that understanding and experience of working with a very diverse background, is beneficial coming to the OSS, where you have a very similar situation with so many different missions and skill sets. It’s exciting being able to get to know all the intricacies and specifics of different career fields and how people execute their mission.”

Coming into the commander position at the 325th OSS, Ellison is passionate about helping others excel at their jobs and achieve their goals.

“I really believe the role of the commander is to look over and take care of the Airmen,” he said. “There are about 230 Airmen and civilians within the OSS, so my initial goal is to learn about and meet each of these individuals so I can understand who they are, where they come from and where they are going.”

As he settles into his role, Ellison wants to be able to influence and help his Airmen as they continue to progress professionally and in their personal lives, he said.

“The proudest and most rewarding moments are seeing the influence and impact that you have on Airmen and those you work with,” he said. “I love seeing Airmen have a vison of where they want to go in their life and then helping them pursue those dreams.”

The time Ellison has spent overcoming roadblocks to accomplish his dream has given him a more diverse outlook on his position, beyond just accomplishing the mission.

For those people who have a goal, but they don’t see how they can achieve it, Ellison hopes to help remove barriers or give the assistance needed to overcome hardships and achieve their goals, he said.

“Make sure you understand where you came from and where you are going,” he said. “A lot of times people lose perspective, and as soon as they do, they very quickly lose touch with reality and their purpose in life. Being able to keep that perspective and knowing where you are going is foundational to being effective in your current job and achieving your dreams.”

For more information about the 325th Operations Support Squadron click HERE