Col. Gavin D. Tade is the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Plans, Programs and Requirements, Air Combat Command (ACC), Langley AFB, Va. where he assists the Director with oversight of the various A5/8/9 staff functions, coordinates high-level staff activities in support of ACC policy and missions, advises the Director on the integration of the reserve component into the ACC force structure and performs other duties and assumes responsibilities as directed by ACC/A5/8/9.
Colonel Tade commissioned through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, and attended undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. He served as an F-16 Instructor Pilot and a Functional Check Flight pilot. He is a command pilot with more than 2,100 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and MQ-9 Reaper. He has flown more than 100 combat hours over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, FREEDOM SENTINEL and OCTAVE SHIELD. He has also flown multiple missions in Operation NOBLE EAGLE. He has commanded at the wing, group, and squadron level, where he deployed over 200 Airmen for combat Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE and SPARTAN SHIELD. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Tade served as the Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. In his civilian capacity, he is a Captain at a major airline.
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, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2018 USAF Senior Leaders’ Mission Generation Course, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2021 Air Force Reserve Senior Leader Orientation Training, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
2022 Eurasia Seminar, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C.
2022 National Security Management Course, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
2024 Latin America, Alan L. Freed Associates, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. November 1995 – November 1996, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training 64th Flying Training Wing, Reese Air Force Base, Texas
2. December 1996 – February 1997, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 49th Fighter Training Squadron, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
3. February 1997 – September 1997, Student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, 62nd Fighter Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
4. September 1997 – July 2005, Weapons and Tactics officer, 124th Fighter Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, Des Moines, Iowa
5. July 2005 – June 2006, Weapons and Tactics officer, 457th Fighter Squadron, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas
6. July 2006 – August 2007, Standardization and Evaluation officer, 457th FS, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
7. September 2007 – September 2009, Aircrew Flight Equipment flight commander, 457th FS, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
8. October 2009 – December 2011, Assistant Director of Operations, 301st Operations Support Flight, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
9. January 2012 – May 2012, Director of Operations, 301st OSF, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
10. June 2012 – August 2015, Commander, 73rd Aerial Port Squadron, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
11. August 2015 – February 2017, Deputy Director for Operations and Plans A3/A5,10th Air Force, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
12. February 2017 – June 2019, Commander, 944th Mission Support Group, Luke AFB, Ariz.
13. June 2019 – August 2020, Vice Commander, 926th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.
14. April 2020 – August 2020, Commander, 44th Fighter Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
15. August 2020 – July 2021, A3 Chief of Standardization/Evaluation, 10th Air Force, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
16. July 2021 – April 2023, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Fifteenth Air Force, Shaw AFB, S.C.
17. April 2023 – February 2024, Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
18. February 2024 – Present, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Plans, Programs and Requirements, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,100
Combat hours: more than 100
Aircraft flown: T-3, T-6, T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16 and MQ-9
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Combat Readiness Medal with five oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 University of Central Missouri, Distinguished Alumni
2014 Indian Hills Community College, Outstanding Alumni
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 15, 1995
First Lieutenant Sept. 15, 1997
Captain Sept. 15, 1999
Major Oct. 9, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 15, 2012
Colonel May 1, 2017
(Current as of February 2024)