Meet Lt. Col. Bird

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Born in Richmond, Texas, and raised in Sealy, Texas, his mother was a prior nurse and stay-at-home mom, and his father, a financial officer for savings and loans. The pair raised two U.S. Air Force Academy graduate pilots and a Brown University attorney. Hard work and dedication was instilled in their family at a young age.

In high school, Lt. Col. Bradley Bird, 43rd Fighter Squadron commander, was highly active in sports, to include, football, basketball and track. Outside of school his hobbies extended from waterskiing to playing guitar.

"I loved music so much that I decided to teach myself how to play a guitar," said Colonel Bird. "I played a lot while I was a teenager and then I didn't play at all until about three or four years ago, when I picked it back up."

Also, during his high school years, Colonel Bird visited his brother, who was then attending the Air Force Academy.

"My older brother, John, attended the Academy and while he was there, I took a tour," said Colonel Bird. "After the trip, I knew I did not want to stay in Texas and my parents did not have a whole lot of money, and definitely not enough to put me through school."

Originally he planned to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, but after his visit to the Academy his mind was made up. He decided the Air Force was the best way to get an education and ensure a career that would allow him to travel.

Colonel Bird started his freshman year in 1988. For the first two years, he was a member of the Academy football team and initially had no intentions to become a pilot.

"Between my freshman and sophomore year, I went on a trip and took a ride in an F-4," said Colonel Bird. "After that, I realized how amazing flying was. I went on to enroll in the soaring program and did very well."

His mind was set on flying. Colonel Bird graduated with a degree in general engineering in 1993.

"One of my proudest accomplishments was walking out of the Academy doors," said Colonel Bird. "It was not an easy task, but it is the type of thing where it is horrible while you are going through it, but at the end you have something you can be proud of the rest of your life."

His career began at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for pilot training. From then until now, the Air Force has sent him to Tyndall for F-15 Eagle training, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., for the Air Command and Staff College, where he earned a Master's degree of Military Operational Art and Science, and then to Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"Nellis was probably my favorite base because I was there in a weapons school instructor capacity," said Colonel Bird. "The school is the pinnacle of F-15 instruction and employment. It was very hard, but at the same time it was definitely the most rewarding of all my assignments. I was able to create thirty-plus weapons officers."

The 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall is Colonel Bird's first command.

"My entire career, I have been in a leadership position in a tactical world," said Colonel Bird. "But, this is the first opportunity I have had to lead an entire squadron in every aspect, which is what I am most looking forward to."

Colonel Bird has high hopes for his Airmen.

"The things I find most important in my Airmen are honesty and the desire to contribute to the organization in a selfless manner," said Colonel Bird. "I like people who are willing to put forth an effort [that is] not just for themselves."

With two more years until he is eligible for retirement, Colonel Bird plans to exceed his minimum requirement.

"Having just met one of my goals of becoming a commander in the Air Force, I am letting this settle in before I think about the future," said Colonel Bird. "But, I hope to continue on the track of what the Air Force gives me."

Outside of work, Colonel Bird and his wife Christi have four children together: 17-year-old Adrienne, 15-year-old Harrison, 13-year-old Justin and 11-year-old Ryan.

"What I love most about being a dad is being able to guide my children through childhood and their teenage years," said Colonel Bird. "Hopefully I can help them to become productive adults."

Colonel Bird's wife Christi works as the Chief of Community Relations in the Public Affairs office at Tyndall.

"My wife shows so much love and support for me and what I do," said Colonel Bird. "I don't know what I would do without her."

The family likes to spend their free time together on their boat, waterskiing or tubing. Colonel Bird also recently received his private pilot's license and enjoys taking the family sightseeing and visiting different areas in Florida.

Colonel Bird hopes to one day own his own business in the aviation field and live near a lake in Tennessee or Texas. But for now, he is enjoying all Tyndall has to offer.

"Tyndall is the schoolhouse of Air Dominance and that is what I love most about it," said Colonel Bird. "But, you also can't beat the warm weather and the beach."

Colonel Bird is slated to serve as the 43rd Fighter Squadron commander for the next two years.

For closer look at the 43rd Fighter Squadron click here.