Col. Ron Oliver is the deputy commander of the 168th Wing Operations Group, Alaska Air National Guard, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The 168th Wing provides the U.S. Air Force the capabilities of global reach and vigilance through the combined operations of air refueling, missile warning, and space surveillance. The unit maintains a constant watch and commitment for Pacific Air Forces, Northern Command, Space Command, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region.
Col. Oliver joined the Air Force in 2000 and attended Joint Specialized Undergratuate Pilot Training at Vance AFB. He has held various leadership positions throughout his career. He led a Battalion TACP element supporting the 101st Airborne Division during the initial invasion of Iraq and was a Brigade Air Liaison Officer in RC(S) Afghanistan. He has been a Director of Operations, Flight Commander, Chief of Plans, and Safety for various flying squadrons. His final active duty assignment was as Commander, Detachment 1, 3d Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft Wainwright, Alaska.
Since joining the Alaska Air National Guard in 2015, Col Oliver has served as Commander of the 168th Operations Group, and Operations Support Squadron, Director of Operations and Flight Commander for the 168th Air Refueling Squadron. He was the Air Operations Center Director during Arctic Eagle 2018 and the Mission Commander for Pacific Angel 19-03.
Col. Oliver has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. He has 81 combat sorties/410 combat hrs in the A-10/A and KC-135.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: Total Time 3,268 / Combat 410 / Instructor – 1059; A-10 – 970 KC-135 - 1133
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, A-10A/C, OA-10A, KC-135R/T
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2002 Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
2002 Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
2002 Joint Firepower Course, Air Ground Operations School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2002 A-10 RTU, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
2005 Pilot Instructor Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Sheppard AFB/Online
2010 Advanced Instrument School, Tinker AFB, Okla.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Correspondence
2012 Air Liaison Officer Qualification Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2014 Cold Weather Indoctrination Course, Northern Warfare Training Center, Alaska
2016 KC-135 Pilot-Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2019 KC-135 Aircraft Commander Instructor Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
2020 Air War College, Correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- April 2000, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- July 2000, Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
- December 2002, A-10 Pilot, BALO, Asst Chief of Training, 75th Fighter Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C.
- December 2005, T-37 IP Flt CC, Asst Chief of Check Section, 89th Flying Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
- October 2009, A-10 Pilot/FAC(A), Chief of Plans, Flt CC, Chief of Safety, 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan AB, ROK
- October 2011, Asst Director of Operations, 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
- October 2013, Commander, Det 1, 3d Air Support operations Squadron, Ft Wainwright, Alaska
- December 2015, KC-135 Pilot, 168th Air Refueling Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
- December 2017, Flight Commander, 168th Air Refueling Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
- Jun 2018, Director of Operations, 168th Air Refueling Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
- January 2020, Commander, 168th Operations Support Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
- February 2021, Commander, 168th Operations Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska
- August 2023 – Present, – Present, Deputy Commander, 168th Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star 1
Meritorious Service Medal 2
Air Medal 3
Aerial Achievement Medal 2
Air Force Commendation Medal 2
Army Commendation Medal 1
Meritorious Unit Award 2
AF Outstanding Unit Award 1
Combat Readiness Medal 1
Alaska Humanitarian Service Medal 1
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 07 Jul 2000
First Lieutenant 07 Jul 2020
Captain 07 Jul 2004
Major 01 Jun 2010
Lieutenant Colonel 01 Jun 2017
Colonel 15 Aug 2021
(Current as of Aug 2023)