Col Blair W. Byrem is the Commander, 8th Maintenance Group, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. He is responsible for daily flying and maintenance operations, intermediate level maintenance, component repair, and maintenance training for a combat wing with 33 permanently assigned F-16 fighter jet aircraft. He controls and allocates resources, directs the activities of 1,100 personnel, manages an annual budget of 2.4 million dollars, and develops and implements plans to meet the wing’s
operational taskings.
During Col Byrem’s career, he has deployed as part of an Asian Theater Security Package, deployed to Afghanistan for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on a Counter-Improvised Explosives Device team, served in various roles as a maintenance officer on F-15Cs, F-15Es, F-16s, F-35s, F- 22s, and T-38s, served as Commander of an Electronic Warfare Detachment, and ground Electronic Warfare Officer for various Joint Task Forces. He is also trained as a Foreign Area Officer and Political Affairs Strategist. Col Byrem has tallied six consecutive years commanding Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons in the Pacific theater. Prior to his current position, he was the Air Combat Command Maintenance Systems and Operations Division Chief at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science in Foreign Area Studies, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
2007 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
2007 Graduate Certificate in Aviation/Aerospace Safety Systems, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
2007 Graduate Certificate in Aviation/Aerospace Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL
2014 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2023 Master of National Security Studies, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, RI
2023 Graduate Certificate in Maritime History, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, RI
2025 (Projected) Doctor of Philosophy, Organizational Leadership, Columbia International University, SC
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Oct 2002 – Nov 2003, Propulsion Flight Commander, 27th Component Maintenance Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, NM
2. Nov 2003 – Aug 2004, Assistant Officer in Charge, 524th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Cannon Air Force Base, NM
3. Aug 2004 – Nov 2005, Assistant Officer in Charge, 523d Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Cannon Air Force Base, NM
4. Nov 2005 – Oct 2007, Commander, Operating Location A, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
5. Oct 2007 – Jun 2008, Commander Detachment 1, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
6. Jun 2008 – Jul 2009, Operations Officer, 16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, FL
7. Jul 2009 – Oct 2009, Officer in Charge, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Edwards Air Force Base, CA
8. Oct 2009 – Sep 2011, Operations Officer, 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, CA
9. Sep 2011 – Dec 2011, Operations Officer, 354th Maintenance Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, AK
10. Dec 2011 – Aug 2013, Operations Officer, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, AK
11. Aug 2013 – Jul 2014, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
12. Jul 2014 – Jun 2017, Commander, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, AK
13. Jun 2017 – May 2020, Commander, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
14. May 2020 – Jul 2022, A4 Director, 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, ID
15. Jul 2022 – Jul 2023, Student, Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, RI
16. Jul 2023 – June 2025, Chief, ACC Maintenance Systems and Operations Division, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
17. June 2025 – Present, Commander, 8th Maintenance Group, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
2d Lieutenant May 2002
1st Lieutenant May 2004
Captain May 2006
Major May 2012
Lieutenant Colonel April 2017
Colonel May 2023
(Current as of June 2025)