Colonel Brian J. Budde is the Commander, 477th Fighter Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Budde served as the Deputy Commander, 477th FG; Special Assistant to the Commander, 477th FG; Commander, 302d Fighter Squadron, Director of Operations, 90th Fighter Squadron; Weapons Officer, 90th Fighter Squadron, and Chief of Alert Operations for the 302d Fighter Squadron and 3d Wing.
Col. Budde earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and is a command pilot with more than 2,300 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-15 C/D, and F-22A. Budde served 12 years in the active duty Air Force before joining the Air Force Reserve in 2012 where he currently serves as an air reserve technician.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science in Biology, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Col.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2011 Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2012 Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2020 Air War College, by correspondence
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 2,300+
Aircraft flown: F-15C, F-22A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with one device
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award with two devices
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with one device
AF Longevity Service with four devices
Air Force Training Ribbon
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug. 2001 - Aug. 2002, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. Sept. - Dec. 2002, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
3. Jan. - Sept. 2003, Student, F-15C FTU, 2nd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. Oct. 2003 - April 2006, F-15C Mission Commander, 12th FS, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
5. June - Sept. 2006, Student, F-22A Transition Course, 43rd FS, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
6. Oct. 2006 - April 2009, F-22IP/Evaluator,Flight Commander, 94th FS, Langley AFB, Va.
7. April 2009 - April 2010, Chief of F-22 Weapons and Tactics/OT&E IP, 422 TES, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. April 2010 - April 2011, Division Chief/F-22 IP, 59th TES, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. June 2011 - Aug. 2012, F-22 Test Director/F-22 IP, AFOTEC, Det 6, Nellis AFB, Nev.
10. Aug. 2012 - Jan. 2013, Assistant Director of Operations/Senior ART, 302d FS, JBER, Alaska
11. Jan. - June 2013, Student, USAF Fighter Weapons School, 433rd Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
12. June 2013 - Dec. 2015, Weapons Officer, 90th FS, JBER, Alaska
13. Dec. 2015 - Oct. 2016, Assistant Director of Operations, 302d FS, JBER, Alaska
14. Oct. 2016 - June 2017, Director of Operations, 90th FS, JBER, Alaska
15. June 2017 - June 2018, Director of Operations, 302d FS, JBER, Alaska
16. June 2018 - Oct. 2020, Commander, 302d FS, JBER, Alaska
17. Oct. 2020 - April 2021, Special Assistant to the Commander, 477th Fighter Group, JBER, Alaska
18. April 2021 - May 2023, Deputy Commander, 477th FG, JBER, Alaska
19. May 2023 - Present, Commander, 477th FG, JBER, Alaska
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
Sept. 2011 - Jan. 2012, Air Operations Officer, European Command, Patch Barracks, Germany