Col. Brent F. Golden is the Commander, 325th Operations Group, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The group’s mission is to project unrivaled combat airpower for America and is comprised of 350 Total Force personnel. The group is currently building up to be the Air Force’s newest operations group with three F-35A squadrons, enabling the 325th Fighter Wing to present combat air power in support of national defense.
Colonel Golden commissioned through Officer Training School after graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He earned his wings from Sheppard Air Force Base in 2006 and continued with initial operational assignments in the F-15E, deploying multiple times in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, ODYSSEY DAWN, and other contingency locations. In 2014, Col Golden transitioned to the F-35A with multiple assignments at Nellis Air Force Base and Hill Air Force Base, facilitating F-35 Weapons School stand-up, Initial Operational Capability declaration, and Operational Test & Evaluation. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the the Force Application Division Chief, Requirements and Capabilities Directorate in the Joint Staff J8, Pentagon.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2013 Master of Science in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2024 Master of Science in National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort McNair, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2005 - November 2006, student pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training/Introduction Fighter Fundamentals, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. December 2006 - August 2007, student pilot, F-15E Formal Training Unit, 333d FS, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
3. September 2007 - August 2011, Weapons Shop Pilot, Assistant Chief of Scheduling, Chief of Squadron Security, F-15E Instructor Pilot, 492d FS, RAF Lakenheath, England
4. September 2011 - June 2013, Flight Commander, F-15E Instructor Pilot, 336th FS, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
5. July 2013 - January 2014, Chief of Weapons & Tactics, F-15E Instructor Pilot, 333d FS, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
6. January 2014 – December 2014, Chief of F-35A WIC Development, F-15E WIC Instructor, 16th Weapon Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 2015 – December 2015, F-35A Division Commander, F-15E and F-35A Operational Test Instructor Pilot, 422 Test & Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. January 2016 - July 2017, Chief of Wing Weapons & Tactics, F-35A Instructor Pilot, 388th Operations Support Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
9. August 2017 – June 2018, Assistant Director of Operations, F-35A Evaluator Pilot, 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
10. July 2018 – June 2019, USAF Fellow (1-year), DARPA, Arlington, Va.
11. July 2019 – March 2021, Director of Operations, 422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
12. April 2021 – June 2023, Commander, 422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
13. July 2023 – June 2024, student, National War College, Fort McNair, D.C.
14. July 2024 – June 2026, Force Application Division Chief, Requirements and Capabilities, J8
15. July 2026 – Present, Commander, 325th Operations Group, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2024 – June 2026, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: More than 3200, including 580 Combat Hours Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A/C, F-15E, F-35A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Combat Action Medal Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with 8 oak leaf clusters
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 stars
Air & Space Campaign Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant April 1, 2005
First Lieutenant April 1, 2007
Captain April 1, 2009
Major July 1, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2018
Colonel April 1, 2024
(Current as of July 2026)