Colonel Gavin D. Tade is Commander, 944th Mission Support Group, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. As commander, he oversees support planning and resource management activities for a 1,900-person fighter wing including two geographically separated units, 414th Fighter Group and the 924th Fighter Group, at Davis Monthan Air Force Base and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. He leads, directs and manages four squadrons with the following responsibilities: civil engineering, explosive ordnance disposal, readiness, fire protection, supply, transportation, fuels, logistics readiness, security and law enforcement, combat arms, military personnel, family readiness, lodging and food service support, mortuary affairs, communication and information systems, and computer support.
Colonel Tade began his career in 1994 with the Iowa Air National Guard, Des Moines, Iowa. After commissioning through the Academy of Military Science a year later, he went to pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. He spent 11 years as an Air National Guardsman, before transferring to the Air Force Reserve. Since transferring, Colonel Tade led 301st Fighter Wing’s subject–matter exchanges in the 2007 Chile FIDAE (Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio, International Air and Space Fair) and flew as an instructor pilot with the Chilean Air Force in the F-16 Block 50. Colonel Tade’s major deployments have included Northern No-Fly Zone enforcement in 1999 and 2002 as well as Southern No-Fly Zone enforcement in 2001 with more than 45 combat hours. He also led several missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
Prior to his current position, Colonel Tade was commander of the 73rd Aerial Port Squadron, NAS Fort Worth JRB leading his squadron to the 2014 National Defense Transportation Association - Military Unit of the Year, and the 2015 10th Air Force Global Logistics and Transportation - Military Unit of the Year. Most recently, Colonel Tade was the 10th Air Force Deputy Director for Operations and Plans A3/A5 at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, where he managed a team of operations and contingency planners shaping operational policies and ensuring all subordinate units maintain full combat readiness.
EDUCATION
1992 Associate of Science degree in aviation pilot training, Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, Iowa
1994 Bachelor of Science degree in aviation technology, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo.
2001 Squadron Officer School, by correspondence
2007 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2016 Air War College, by correspondence
2016 Masters of Science in aviation safety, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo.
2017 Reserve Component National Security Course, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington DC
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1994 – June 2005, pilot, 124th Fighter Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard Base, Des Moines, Iowa
2. July 2005 – June 2006, Weapons and Tactics officer, 457th Fighter Squadron, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
3. July 2006 – August 2007, Standardization and Evaluation officer, 457 FS, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
4. September 2007 – September 2009, Aircrew Flight Equipment flight commander, 457 FS, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
5. October 2009 – December 2011, Assistant Director of Operations, 301st Operational Support Flight, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
6. January 2012 – May 2012, Director of Operations, 301 OSF, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
7. June 2012 – August 2015, Commander, 73rd Aerial Port Squadron, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
8. August 2015 – February 2017, Deputy Director for Operations and Plans A3/A5,10th Air Force, NAS Fort Worth JRB, Texas
9. February 2017 - present, Commander, 944th Mission Support Group, Luke AFB, Ariz.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 1,820
Aircraft flown: T-3, T-37, T-38, AT-38 and F-16
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Readiness Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with three oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 University of Central Missouri, Distinguished Alumni
2014 Indian Hills Community College, Outstanding Alumni
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sep. 15, 1995
First Lieutenant Sep. 15, 1997
Captain Sep. 15, 1999
Major Oct. 9, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 15, 2012
Colonel May 1, 2017
(Current as of May 2017)