Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind is the 22nd Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. He directs a 47-month program of military education and leadership development that produces leaders of character immediately ready to lead in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. The Superintendent leads a staff of more than 3,500 military and civilian Airmen and Guardians. The Academy leader development experience incorporates military training, academics, athletics, and aviation, cyber and space programs to produce warfighters to win in the 21st Century.

Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1991. Earning his wings in 1992, he has flown more than 3,500 hours in the MC-130E, MC-130H, MC-130J, and MQ-9 aircraft. He has commanded special operations forces at the squadron, group, wing, theater special operations command, and major command levels.

Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind served as the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2020)

Combined Forces Special Operation Component Commander Course, MacDill AFB, Fla. (2013)

Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, N.C. (2010)

Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. (2010)

Military Fellow, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. (2009)

Air War College, by correspondence (2006)

Master of Airpower Art and Science, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2005)

Distinguished Graduate, Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2004)

Master of Business Administration, Auburn University, Ala. (2000)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (1997)

Distinguished Graduate, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. (1992)

Distinguished Graduate, Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (1991)

Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (August 2024 – Present)

Commander, Headquarters AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (December 2022 – July 2024)

Vice Commander, United States Special Operations Command, Washington, D.C. (August 2020–December 2022)

Chief of Staff, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla. (July 2019–July 2020)

Commanding General, Special Operations Command Korea, South Korea (April 2016–June 2019)

Deputy Commanding General-Operations, NATO Special Operations Component Command/Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan (May 2015–April 2016)

Commander, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, N.M. (July 2013–February 2015)

Commander, 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (June 2011–June 2013)

Director of Staff and Special Assistant to the Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects, Arlington, Va. (June 2009–June 2011)

Military Fellow, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. (June 2008–June 2009)

Operations Officer, then Commander, 15th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (January 2006–May 2008)

MC-130H Requalification Training, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (November 2005–January 2006)

Chief Special Warfare Division, Headquarters Air Force Doctrine Center, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (June–October 2005)

Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (July 2004–June 2005)

Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (July 2003–July 2004)

Chief, Special Operations Forces/Combat Search and Rescue Branch, Global Mobility/Special Operations Capability Requirements Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (September 2001–June 2003)

MC-130H Instructor Pilot, Standards and Evaluations Pilot and Assistant Director of Operations, 15th Special Operations Squadron and Wing Executive Officer, 16th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (August 1998–September 2001)

Student F-15 Pilot, 2nd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla. (January–August 1998)

MC-130H Instructor Pilot, 550th Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (January 1997–January 1998)

MC-130E Aircraft Commander and MC-130H Instructor Pilot, 1st Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan (July 1993–January 1997)

MC-130E Initial Mission Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Ark. and Hurlburt Field, Fla. (September 1992–July 1993)

Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. (July 1991–August 1992)

Summary of Joint Assignments

Vice Commander, United States Special Operations Command, Washington, D.C., as a lieutenant general (August 2020–December 2022)

Chief of Staff, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Fla., as a major general (July 2019–July 2020)

Commanding General, Special Operations Command Korea, South Korea, as a brigadier general and major general (April 2016–June 2019)

Deputy Commanding General-Operations, NATO Special Operations Component Command/Special Operations Joint Task Force, Kabul, Afghanistan, as a brigadier general (May 2015–April 2016)

Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Afghanistan, as a colonel (May 2012–January 2013)

Director of Staff and Special Assistant to the Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., as a colonel (June 2009–June 2011)

Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Iraq/Afghanistan, as a lieutenant colonel (May–September 2007)

Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Detachment, Afghanistan as a lieutenant colonel (August–December 2006)

Flight Information

Rating: Command Pilot

Flight Hours: More than 3,500

Aircraft Flown: MC-130H, MC-130E, MC-130J, C-130E, AC-130H/U, CV-22, U-28, C-146, PC-12, UH-1N and MQ-9

Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster

Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Air Medal with oak leaf cluster

Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Effective Dates of Promotion

Lieutenant General July 31, 2020

Major General Aug. 1, 2018

Brigadier General Aug. 2, 2015

Colonel Oct. 1, 2009

Lieutenant Colonel March 1, 2006

Major March 1, 2002

Captain May 29, 1995

First Lieutenant May 29, 1993

Second Lieutenant May 29, 1991

(Current as of August 2024)