Col Ryan T. Typolt is the Deputy Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California. The 9 RW is responsible for approximately 7,000 military, civilian, and contract personnel and the entire Air Force high altitude reconnaissance fleet of U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and four overseas operating locations, executing worldwide missions in support of all six geographic combatant commanders.
Colonel Typolt is a 2002 graduate of the University of Wyoming, a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Air University’s Air Command and Staff College, and received highest academic honors from the Air War College’s Grand Strategy Program. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in structural engineering, a Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Safety Systems, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science, and a Master of Strategic Studies with Grand Strategy concentration. He has supported numerous named operations and exercises while assigned to PACAF, ACC, Headquarters Air Force, and the Joint Staff.
Colonel Typolt is an evaluator pilot with over 3800 flight hours, including 1800 hours in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, he was Assistant Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations and Force Management Division Chief, J-32, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
2003 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Master of Aeronautical Science, Aerospace Safety Systems, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, FL.
2008 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 Advanced Strategy Program, Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C.
2021 Master of Strategic Studies with Grand Strategy concentration, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2022 National Bureau for Asian Research, PLA Executive Leadership Course, Washington D.C.
2023 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Chapel Hill, NC
2024 Global/Regional Course - Europe and South Asia, Alan L. Freed Associates, Inc, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2003 - July 2004, Student, Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas. 2. August 2004 - November 2008, T-38A/C Instructor Pilot, 90th FTS, Sheppard AFB, Texas. 3. December 2008 - June 2009, Student, F-15C Fighter Training Upgrade, 114th FS, Klamath Falls, Oregon. 4. July 2009 - August 2010, F-15C Fighter Pilot and Flight Commander, 19th FS, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. 5. September 2010 - November 2010, Student, MQ-9 transition course, Holloman AFB, NM. 6. December 2010 - July 2014, Combat Team Lead and Assistant Director of Operations, 17th RS, Creech AFB, NV.
7. August 2014 - August 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL.
8. September 2015-May 2017, Senior Air Defense Officer and Senior Offensive Duty Officer, Combat Operations Division, 607th Air Operations Center, Osan AFB, Republic of South Korea.
9. June 2017-May 2018, Chief of Safety, 49th Wing, Holloman AFB, NM.
10. June 2018-June 2020, Commander, 29th Attack Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM.
11. July 2020-June 2021, Student, Air War College Grand Strategy Program, Maxwell AFB, AL.
12. July 2021-May 2023, Checkmate Airpower Strategist, Director of Staff, and Chief of INDO-Pacific and the Americas Division, The Pentagon, Washington D.C.
13. June 2023-May 2025, Assistant Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations and Force Management Division Chief, J-32, Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Pentagon, Washington D.C.
14. June 2025-Present, Deputy Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, Calif.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2023-May 2025, Assistant Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations, and Force Management Division Chief, J-32, Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Pentagon, Washington D.C. as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,800
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38A/C, F-15C/D, MQ-9 and MQ-9X
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2015 Air Force Association’s General Carl “Tooey” Spaatz Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Jan 4, 2003 First Lieutenant Jan 4, 2005 Captain Jan 4, 2007
Major Dec 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Oct 1, 2017
Colonel May 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2025)