Colonel Neal R. Byrne III is the commander of the 103d Airlift Wing at Bradley Air National Guard Base,Connecticut. As the Wing Commander, he is charged with providing the Joint Force with rapid global mobility and command and control via expert Tactical Airlift and Air Battle Management. He oversees the operational and training activities of 4 Groups, more than 1,100 Airmen, and 8 C-130H aircraft.
Colonel Byrne received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Westfield State College and was commissioned in 2003 through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base. He has a diverse background in aircraft maintenance, fighter and airlift operations, Defense Support of Civil Authorities, and Homeland Operations. Colonel Byrne also served on the National Guard Bureau Staff in the Air National Guard Director’s Action Group where he was responsible for shaping strategic communications at the three-star level. He has flown 159 combat sorties in direct support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, SPARTAN SHIELD, and OCTAVE QUARTZ.
Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Byrne was the commander of the 103d Operations Group, Connecticut Air National Guard, East Granby, Connecticut.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science Degree in Movement Science, Westfield State College, Westfield, MA
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2011 Massachusetts Company Grade Officer Professional Development Seminar
2013 Massachusetts Domestic Operations Seminar
2014 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Hanscom AFB, MA
2015 Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2021 Air War College, by correspondence
2021 Reserve Component National Security Course, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1999 - November 2003, Aircraft Pneudraulic Systems Mechanic, Barnes ANGB, MA
2. December 2003 - January 2005, Sortie Generation Officer, Barnes ANGB, MA
3. February 2005 - April 2006, Student, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX
4. May 2006 - June 2006, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, GA
5. July 2006 - January 2007, Student, A-10A Formal Training Unit, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
6. February 2007 - August 2007, 131st Fighter Squadron Operational A-10A Pilot, Barnes ANGB, MA
7. September 2007 - September 2008, Student, F-15C Formal Training Unit, Tyndall AFB, FL
8. October 2008 - September 2012, 131st FS Assistant Weapons Officer/Chief of Scheduling/Operational F-15C Pilot, Barnes ANGB, MA
9. October 2012 - October 2013, Director, 104th Fighter Wing Emergency Operations Center, Barnes ANGB, MA
10. October 2013 - August 2015, Executive Engagements, Director’s Action Group, National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
11. August 2015 – November 2015, Mobility Forces Programmer, National Guard Bureau, Andrews AFB, Maryland
12. November 2015 – July 2106, Student, C-130H Formal Training Unit, Little Rock AFB, AR
13. August 2016 – February 2018, Operational C-130H Pilot, Bradley ANGB, Connecticut
14. February 2018 – October 2020, Commander, 103d Maintenance Squadron, Bradley ANGB, Connecticut
15. October 2020 – Present, Commander, 103d Operations Group, Bradley ANGB, Connecticut
16. March 2023–Present, Commander, 103d Airlift Wing, Bradley ANGB, Connecticut
FLIGHT NFORMATION
Rating: Senior Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 1,400
Aircraft Flown: T-38, A-10A, F-15C, C-130H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class, June 05, 1999
Senior Airman, November 01, 2000
Staff Sergeant, June 05, 2003
Second Lieutenant, November 21, 2003
First Lieutenant, November 21, 2005
Captain, November 21, 2007
Major, August 23, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel, October 01, 2018
Colonel, February 01, 2023
(Current as of March 2023)