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Colonel Gerald J. Ferdinand

Colonel Gerald J. Ferdinand is the Commander, 8th Operations Group, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. In his current role, he is responsible for training, flight operations, aircraft maintenance, sortie generation, quality assurance, aircrew standardization and evaluation, intelligence, command and control, operational plans, aircraft evaluations, weather support, and airfield management for the 8th Fighter Wing. Additionally, he is responsible for ensuring the combat-readiness of one F-16C/D fighter squadron capable of conducting air operations throughout the Pacific Theater. 

Colonel Ferdinand earned his commission through the United States Air Force Academy in 2001. He began his career as an F-16 fighter pilot, serving tours in Europe and Asia. He also served as an Air Liaison Officer, Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals instructor, Light Attack instructor and evaluator, and Air Advisor. He also served in the Pentagon where he worked to advance Air Force interests in space, acquisition, and operations. The Colonel has commanded at the squadron-level twice. He is a Command Pilot with over 2,100 hours in the F-16, AT-6, A-29 and T-38, including 167 combat hours over Southwest Asia. Prior to his current position, Colonel Ferdinand was the Chief, Current Operations Division (CCJ3-J33) at U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).

EDUCATION

2001 Bachelor of Science, Political Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado

2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Alabama, by correspondence

2009 Master of Arts, International Relations, Saint Mary’s University of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas

2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence

2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, by correspondence

2023 Joint Professional Military Education-Level II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia

2024 Enterprise Perspective Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, District of Columbia

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. August 2001 – February 2002, Special Projects, Weapons & Tactics, Holloman AFB New Mexico
  2. February 2002 – July 2003, Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
  3. July 2003 – May 2004, F-16 Upgrade Pilot, Luke AFB, Arizona
  4. May 2004 – July 2007, F-16CJ Fighter Pilot, Chief of Training, Spangdahlem Airbase (AB), Germany
  5. July 2007 – December 2010, Flight Commander, Air Liaison Officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Fort Polk, Louisiana
  6. December 2010 – August 2012, F-16 CG Fighter Pilot, Chief of Scheduling, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
  7. August 2012 – November 2014, T-38CIFF Instructor Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, Columbus AFB, Mississippi
  8. November 2014 – March 2015, Executive Officer to the Military Deputy, Undersecretary of the Air Force for Space (SAF/SP), the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia
  9. March 2015 – May 2016, Executive Officer to the Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (SAF/AQ), the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia
  10. May 2016 – November 2016, Chief, Air Superiority and Precision Attack, and Chief, Combat Air Forces Fighter-Bomber Branch, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (AF/A3TC), the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia
  11. November 2016 – July 2017, Chief, Combat Air Forces Fighter-Bomber Branch, Combat Air Forces Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (AF/A3TC), the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
  12. July 2017 – September 2018, A-29 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, Moody AFB, Georgia
  13. September 2018 – September 2019, Director of Operations and Commander, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Kabul, Afghanistan
  14. September 2019 – March 2020, A-29 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, Chief of Strategy, 93rd Air-Ground Operations Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia
  15. March 2020 – March 2022, Commander, 81st Fighter Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia
  16. March 2022 – July 2023, AT-6 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot, Inspector General, 23d Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia
  17. July 2023 – June 2026, Joint Operations Center (JOC) Chief of Operations (CHOPS), Continuity of Operations Director, Deputy Chief, Current Operations Division, and Chief, Current Operations Division (CCJ3-J33), USCENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Florida
  18. June 2026 – Present, Commander, 8th Operations Group, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea

SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS

  1. July – December 2023, JOC CHOPS, CCJ3-J33, USCENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Florida, as a Lieutenant Colonel
  2. December 2023 – May 2026, various positions culminating in Chief, Current Operations Division, CCJ3-J33, USCENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Florida, as a Colonel

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Command Pilot

Flight Hours: more than 2,100 including 167 combat hours

Primary Aircraft Flown: F-16, AT-6, A-29, T-38C IFF

 

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Superior Service Medal

Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and “C” device

Aerial Achievement Medal

Army Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

 

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001

First Lieutenant May 30, 2003

Captain May 30, 2005

Major January 1, 2012

Lieutenant Colonel January 1, 2016

Colonel December 1, 2023

 

(Current as of June 2026)