Col Oliver E. Barfield III was previously the Deputy Command Engineer for United States Forces, Japan based out of Yokota Air Base, Japan. United States Forces, Japan manages the United States – Japan Alliance to ensure United States service components maintain a lethal posture and readiness to support regional operations in steady state, crisis and contingency. As the Deputy Director, Col Barfield led 26 joint personnel to implement a $20 billion construction portfolio across seven host-nation funded construction programs. Col Barfield also served as the United States Chairman of three bilateral construction program committees to negotiate and implement agreements with the Government of Japan. Prior to his Japan assignment, he served as Commander, 201st RED HORSE Squadron Detachment 1, Horsham Air Guard Station, Pennsylvania.

Col Barfield entered the Air Force as a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. After receiving his commission, he received a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas in 2006. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Nevada. Col Barfield has extensive experience in the Middle East and East Asia.  He has deployed twice to Iraq, twice to Afghanistan and has completed two overseas tours in Japan. Col Barfield is also a Joint Qualified Officer (Level III).

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2003)

Master of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (2006)

Chief, SABER, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan (May 2003 – July 2005)

Project Engineer, 820th RED HORSE Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (January 2007 – July 2009)

Deputy Operations Flight Commander, 820th RED HORSE Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (August 2009 – May 2011)

Assistant Professor, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (June 2011 – July 2013)

Deputy Commander, 819th RED HORSE Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana (August 2013 – August 2015)

Chief, Airfield Pavement Evaluation Branch, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (September 2015 – May 2016)

Commander, 201st RED HORSE Squadron Detachment 1, Horsham Air Guard Station, Pennsylvania (June 2016 – July 2020)

Deputy Command Engineer, US Forces, Japan, Yokota Air Base, Japan (July 2020 – July 2024)

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado (July 2024 − Present)

Defense Superior Service Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Army Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

Navy Presidential Unit Citation

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star

Iraq Campaign Medal with three bronze stars