United States Air Force Academy

Go to home page

Lieutenant Colonel Bret J. Cove

Air University – USAFA Liaison Officer

Center for Character and Leadership Development

Bret J. Cove
Contact Information

(719) 333-8557

Email

Bio

Lieutenant Colonel Bret J. Cove is the Air University – USAFA Liaison Officer located at the United States Air Force Academy. In this capacity, he is charged to foster collaboration between the two premier Air Force Academic Institutions in the arenas to include but not limited to: cyber education and rapid prototyping, educational innovation, teaching, and learning support; information sharing to foster faculty development and faculty exchange opportunities; and alignment of commissioning sources.

Lt Col Cove is a 2007 graduate of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach). He attended pilot training at Vance AFB, OK and Fort Rucker, AL. His operational assignments include Nellis AFB, NV, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, and Tyndall AFB, FL. Lt Col Cove has deployed five times ISO OEF and OIR.

His past jobs have included Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations and Operations Director.

Education

Air Command and Staff College, correspondence, Maxwell AFB, AL. (2017)

Master of Science in Business Administration, Embry-Riddle (2015)

Squadron Officer School, in-residence, Maxwell AFB, AL. (2013)

Air and Space Basic Course, in-residence, Maxwell AFB, AL. (2007)

Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Business Administration, Embry-Riddle (2007)

Professional Experience

Air University Liaison to the Air Force Academy (Jun 2022 – Present)

Instructor and Operations Director, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL. (Jun 2020 – Jun 2022)

Assistant Director of Operations, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, Tyndall AFB, FL. (Jun 2017 – Jun 2020)

Flight Commander, 55th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. (Jun 2016 – Jun 2017)

Flight Commander, 563rd Operational Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. (Jun 2015 – Jun 2016)

Plans and Exercises, 55th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (Sep 2013 – Jun 2015)

Squadron Standardization and Liaison Officer, 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV. (Jun 2010 – Sep 2013)

Student Pilot, Vance AFB OK, Fort Rucker, AL, and Kirtland AFB, NM. (Jul 2008 – Jun 2010)

Honors & Awards

Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)

Air Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters)

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air and Space Commendation Medal

Air and Space Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster)

2x NAF-Equivalent FGO of the Year

Squadron CGO of the Year