Colonel RYAN W. RICHARDSON

Col Ryan W. Richardson is the Deputy Commander of the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. In this role, he ensures the continued readiness of more than 1,200 Airmen, supporting both the state and federal mission. The organization’s primary missions are to provide close air support and forward air control, defensive cyber operations, and combat-ready special warfare Airmen to combat troops in support of combat operations abroad, as well as providing ready Airmen to respond to stateside emergencies at a moment’s notice.

Col Richardson is a 1999 graduate of Montana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and commissioned as an Air Force ROTC distinguished graduate. He attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training and has flown the A-10 with the 25th, 190th, 357th, and 45th Fighter Squadrons. He was dual qualified in the A-10 and C-130 at the 514th Flight Test Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He joined the Air National Guard in September of 2019. Prior to his current position, Col Richardson was the 124th Operations Group Commander, 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.

Col Richardson has deployed in support of operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM’s SENTINEL and the Resolute Support Mission. 

EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont.
1999 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Ala.
2005 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence.
2014 Master of Business Administration and Management, Trident University, Cypress, Calif.
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1999 – February 1999, Interactive Courseware Developer, Operation Support Squadron (OSS), Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
2. February 1999 – August 2001, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training , Sheppard AFB , Texas
3. August 2001 – May 2002, Student, A-10 Initial Qualification Training, 357th Fighter Squadron (FS), Tucson, Ariz.
4. May 2002 – April 2003, A-10 Pilot, Battalion Air Liaison Officer, 25 FS, Osan Air Base, ROK
5. April 2003 – November 2005, A-10 Flight Lead, Electronic Combat Pilot, Assistant Chief of Scheduling/Weapons, 190 FS, Idaho Air National Guard (IDANG)
6. November 2005 – March 2009, A-10 Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Deputy Chief of Group Standarization and Evaluation, 357 FS/355th Operations Group, Tucson, Ariz.
7. March 2009 – August 2012, A-10 Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Central Instructor School, 45 FS, Tucson, Ariz.
8. August 2012 – January 2016, Aircrew Flight Equipment Flight Commander, Chief of Training, 514th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS), Hill AFB, Utah
9. January 2016 – June 2017, Director of Operations, AFMC A-10 Command Chief Pilot, 514 FLTS, Hill AFB, Utah
10. June 2017 – August 2019, Commander 514 FLTS, Hill AFB, Utah
11. September 2019 – December 2020, Chief of Wing Safety, 124th Fighter Wing, IDANG
12. January 2020 – March 2022, Deputy Commander, 124th Mission Support Group, IDANG
13. March 2022 – July 2023, Commander, 124th Operations Group, IDANG
14. July 2023 – present, Deputy Commander, 124th Fighter Wing, IDANG

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating:  Command Pilot
Flying Hours:  more than 3,330
Aircraft flown:  T-37, T-38, A/OA-10A, A-10, C-130

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 5 oak leaf clusters

STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Idaho Governor’s Outstanding Unit Citation
Idaho Emergency Duty Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 11, 1999
First Lieutenant June 11, 2001
Captain June 11, 2003
Major March 1, 2009
Lieutenant Colonel September 14, 2015
Colonel February 05, 2022

(Current as of January 2024)