Col. Ryan C. Thulin is the Commander, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The wing’s primary mission is to project unrivaled combat airpower and maintain readiness to deploy and support contingency operations worldwide. He leads 2,900 Total Force personnel and is responsible for $5.2 billion in Tyndall Rebuild infrastructure. The Wing organizes, trains, and equips F-35A Lightning II pilots and combat-ready Air Battle Managers, while also providing air dominance training for F-22 Raptor pilots. Currently home to four groups, one F-35A Lightning II squadron and 20 mission partners, the Wing will expand to host three operational F-35A squadrons upon completion of the Tyndall Rebuild.
Colonel Thulin received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 2004 and earned his wings in 2006 at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He has multiple combat tours in Operations ODYSSEY DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE with over 660 combat hours. He is a Command Pilot with more than 2,300 hours in the F-16 and F-35A. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the Commander, 33d Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Florida.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science, Mathematical Science, US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2014 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master of Military Strategy, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Department of the Air Force Fellowship, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2005 – January 2006, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, 87th Flight Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
2. October 2006 – August 2007, F-16 Basic Qualification, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. August 2007 – December 2008, Electronic Combat Pilot, 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, South Korea
4. December 2008 – January 2012, Flight Commander, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
5. January 2012 – July 2012, Weapons Instructor Course, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
6. July 2012 – December 2014, Chief of Weapons, 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
7. December 2014 – June 2016, Assistant Director of Operations, 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. June 2016 – June 2017, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
9. June 2017 – May 2019, Director of Operations, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
10. May 2019 – June 2020, Commander, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
11. June 2020 – June 2021, Chief, ACC Senior Leader Management, Langley AFB, Va.
12. June 2021 – June 2022, Air Force Fellow, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif.
13. June 2022 – June 2024, Chief, NORAD Current Operations Division, Peterson SFB, Colo.
14. June 2024 – June 2026, Commander, 33d Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
15. June 2026 – Present, Commander, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight Hours: more than 2,300
Aircraft Flown: T-6, T-38C, F-16C/D, and F-35A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 2004
First Lieutenant June 2, 2006
Captain June 2, 2008
Major Aug. 1, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 1, 2017
Colonel July 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2026)