Colonel Steven Ayre is currently assigned as Deputy Commander, 352d Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. He is responsible for six units and more than 1200 active duty and civilian airmen supporting Air Force Special Operations Command in the U.S. European Command with full-spectrum Special Operations Forces, including MC-130J Commando II and CV-22B Osprey aircraft. The wing provides air capability that includes infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces in denied territory. As the Deputy Commander, Col Ayre is responsible for Air Force special operations forces generation, theater strategy, engagement and employment, unit readiness, joint training exercises, standardization and evaluation, logistics, equipment, and maintenance readiness through the wing’s relevant directorates.
Additionally, Col Ayre oversees daily flight and special tactics operations to include the day-to-day integration of operations and maintenance efforts. This includes oversight and providing recommendations to the commander that balance training, scheduling, Flying Hour Program management, aircrew and fleet readiness, and Operations, Activities, and Investments (OAI) requests and commitments.
Colonel Ayre earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000. Earning his wings in 2002, he has flown more than 4000 hours in multiple aircraft. He has flown combat missions supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.
Prior to his current role, Col Ayre was the Commander, 752d Special Operations Group, 352d Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Math minor), U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
2000 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2004 Flight Safety Officer Course, Kirtland AFB, NM
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL (Correspondence & Residence)
2009 Master of the Arts, Business Administration, Auburn University, AL
2009 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence)
2011 Army Command and General Staff College (Correspondence)
2012 Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Naval Postgraduate School Seminar
2012 Master of Science in Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School, CA
2016 Air War College (Correspondence)
2019 Darden Business School Executive Education Course, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
2020 Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow, Alaska Air Group, Seattle, WA
2021 Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 00 - Mar 01, C4I Project Officer, 46th Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL
2. Mar 01 - Dec 01, Student Pilot, 37th Flying Training Squadron, Columbus AFB, MS
3. Nov 01 - Jun 02, Student Pilot, VT-35, NAS Corpus Christi, TX
4. Jun 02 – Jul 05, Chief of Safety and C-130E Aircraft Cdr, 41st Airlift Squadron, Pope AFB, NC
5. Jul 05 – Apr 06, Chief of Flight Safety and C-130E Aircraft Cdr, 43rd Airlift Wing, Pope AFB, NC
6. Apr 06 - May 10, Chief of Tactics and Instructor Pilot, Air Force Special Operations Squadron
7. May 10 – Jun 11, Chief of Training and Evaluator Pilot, Air Force Special Operations Squadron
8. Jun 11 - Dec 12, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
9. Dec 12 - Jun 15, Chief of Sensitive Activities, Future Plans, JSOC, Ft Bragg, NC
10. Jun 15 - Jun 17, Director of Operations, Air Force Special Operations Squadron
11. Jun 17 - Jun 19, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Squadron
12. Jun 19 – Jun 20, SECDEF Corporate Fellow, Alaska Air Group, Seattle, WA
13. Jun 20 – Jun 21, Operations Officer, Deputy Directorate, Special Operations and Counterterrorism,
Joint Staff/J37, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
14. Jun 21 – Jun 22, Current Operations Division Chief, Deputy Directorate, Current Operations, Joint
Staff/J33, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
15. Jun 22 – Jun 23, Commander, 752nd Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, UK
16. Jun 23 - Present, Deputy Commander, 352nd Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, UK
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,000 (including 1800+ Combat Hours)
Aircraft Flown: C-172, T-37, TC-12, C-130E, and various other aircraft
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters and Valor Device
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and ‘C’ Device
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and ‘C’ Device
Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Gallant Unit Citation
(Current as of July 2023)