Col. Brett R. Paola is the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He advises the Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations Pacific Air Forces on Reserve operations, plans and programs, policies and procedures ensuring Reserve force readiness and mobilization of Reserve forces when activated and received into Command.
Colonel Paola was commissioned in 1993 and has served in the Air National Guard and United States Air Force Reserve for 29 years in a variety of rescue and fighter assignments.
Prior to his present assignment, Colonel Paola served as the Mobilization Assistant to the 5 AF Commander, 477th Fighter Group Commander, 477th Fighter Group Deputy Commander, 302nd Fighter Squadron Commander, 477th Fighter Group Inspector General, the 477th Fighter Group Operational Support Commander, and the 302nd Fighter Squadron Chief of Weapons and Tactics. After serving as the first Traditional Reservist to fly as a USAF Aggressor Pilot, he was selected to the initial cadre Total Force Integration initiative as an F-22 instructor at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He has logged combat and combat support mission experience in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, ANDACONDA, BOA, PHANTOM FURY, IRAQI FREEDOM, and VIGILANT RESOLVE.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Pilot Flight Hours: 2200+ Aircraft flown: HH-60, F-16C/D, F-22A
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Portland State University 2011 Air Command and Staff College
2017 Air War College
2020 Masters of Science, Aeronautics, Embry Riddle University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Jan 1994 - Mar 1995, student, undergraduate pilot training, Vance AFB, Oklahoma
2. Apr 1995 - Aug 1995, student, joint helicopter transition UH1, Fort Rucker AAB, Alabama
3. Aug 1995 - Jan 1996: student, HH-60 transition, 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland IAP, Oregon
4. Jan 1996 - Jan 1998: HH-60 Assistant Chief of Weapons, 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland IAP, Oregon
5. Jan 1998 - Sep 1998: student, F-16 Fighter Training Unit, 64th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Arizona
6. Sep 1998 - Dec 2004: F-16 Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 183rd Fighter Wing, 170th Fighter Squadron, Springfield, Illinois
7. Dec 2004 - Oct 2006: Assistant Director of Operations, 170th Fighter Squadron, Springfield, Illinois
8. Oct 2006 - Mar 2007: F-16 Aggressor instructor pilot/Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Nellis AFB, Nevada
9. Mar 2007 - Sep 2007, student, F-22 Fighter Training Unit, 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Florida
10. Sep 2007 - Jan 2012: F-22 Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 302nd Fighter Squadron, JBER, Alaska
11. Jan 2012 - Jan 2013: Commander, 477th Operational Support Flight, JBER, Alaska
12. Jan 2013 - Oct 2014: Commander, 302nd Fighter Squadron, JBER,Alaska
13. Oct 2014 - Jul 2016: Inspector General, 477th Fighter Group, JBER,Alaska
14. Jul 2016 – Jan 2019: Deputy Commander, 477th Fighter Group, JBER, Alaska
15. Jan 2019 – Apr 2021: Commander, 477th Fighter Group, JBER, Alaska
16. Apr 2021 – Feb 2023: Mobilization Assistant to the 5 AF Commander, Yokota AB, Japan
17. Feb 2023 – Present: Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Air and Cyberspace Operations, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one device
Meritorious Service Medal with three devices Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one device Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award with five devices Combat Readiness Medal with five devices National Defense Medal with one device Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with two devices
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon Air Force Longevity Service with one device
(Current as of May 2023)