Tony D. Bauernfeind

Tony Bauernfeind
Official portrait, 2024
Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy
Incumbent
Assumed office August 2, 2024
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Thomas Sherman (acting)
Personal details
Born	(1969-02-14) February 14, 1969 (age 55)
Education	United States Air Force Academy (BS) Auburn University (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1991–present
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	United States Air Force Academy Air Force Special Operations Command Special Operations Command Korea 27th Special Operations Wing 1st Special Operations Group
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (3)

Tony D. Bauernfeind (born February 14, 1969) is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who has served as the 22nd superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy since August 2, 2024.[1] He most recently served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2022 to 2024.[2] He served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2020 to 2022;[3] as vice commander, Bauernfeind was responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing actions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the services and other government agencies in the national capital region on behalf of the commander of United States Special Operations Command. He previously served as Special Operations Command's chief of staff and as commander of Special Operations Command Korea.[3]

In June 2022, Bauernfeind was selected as commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command.[4][5] In May 2024, he was nominated for assignment as superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy.[6][7] He began this assignment on August 2, 2024.

Awards and decorations

Bauernfeind assumes command of Air Force Special Operations Command on December 9, 2022.

	US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
	United States Special Operations Command Badge
	Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

	Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
	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
	Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Joint Service Achievement Medal
	Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device, one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
	Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Korea Defense Service Medal
	Humanitarian Service Medal
	Air and Space Campaign Medal
	Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
	Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
	Air Force Training Ribbon
	NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia

Effective dates of promotions[3]

Rank	Date
Second lieutenant	May 29, 1991
First lieutenant	May 29, 1993
Captain	May 29, 1995
Major	March 1, 2002
Lieutenant colonel	March 1, 2006
Colonel	October 1, 2009
Brigadier general	August 2, 2015
Major general	August 1, 2018
Lieutenant general	July 31, 2020

References

1. Brunet, Alexander (July 31, 2024). "New superintendent set to take command of United States Air Force Academy". KRDO. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
2. Saphore, Cassandra (December 9, 2022). "Bauernfeind new leader of Air Commandos". Air Force Special Operations Command. Hurlburt Field, Florida: AFSOC Public Affairs. Retrieved December 11, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
3. "Lieutenant General Tony D. Bauernfeind (USAF)". U.S. Air Force. February 13, 2021. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
4. "PN2227 — Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind — Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
5. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
6. "PN1755 — Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind — Air Force". U.S. Congress. May 14, 2024.
7. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. May 17, 2024.

Military offices
Preceded by Albert Elton	Commander of the 1st Special Operations Group 2011–2013	Succeeded by ???
	Commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing 2013–2015	Succeeded by Benjamin R. Maitre
Preceded by Mark C. Schwartz	Deputy Commanding General of the NATO Special Operations Component Command and Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan 2015–2016	Succeeded by ???
Preceded by E. John Deedrick	Commanding General of the Special Operations Command Korea 2016–2019	Succeeded by Otto K. Liller
Preceded by James B. Linder	Chief of Staff of the United States Special Operations Command 2019–2020	Succeeded by Collin P. Green
Preceded by James C. Slife	Vice Commander of the United States Special Operations Command 2020–2022	Succeeded by Francis L. Donovan
	Commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command 2022–2024	Succeeded by Michael E. Conley
Preceded by Thomas P. Sherman Acting	22nd Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy 2024–present	Incumbent