Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)
Colonel Thomas M. Tauer Col. Thomas Tauer is 412th Test Wing commander, Edwards Air Force Base, California, home to the world’s largest airfield and the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. An experienced test pilot, he leads a wing of nearly 8,000 people in the developmental test and evaluation of the B-21 Raider, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress family of bombers, the KC-46 Pegasus multirole aerial refueling tanker and cargo aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker, the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center, a variety of experimental technologies, and all associated aircraft systems. During his command the wing is expected to test collaborative combat aircraft and the next-generation air dominance F-47 fighter jet. As installation commander for both Edwards and nearby Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Tauer is responsible for base operations supporting approximately 27,500 military members, federal employees and defense industrial base contractors. Tauer earned his commission in May 2003 from the Air Force Academy. He has served as a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency fellow, joint staff officer, wing chief of safety, and flight test squadron commander. Prior to his current position, Tauer was 96th Test Wing deputy commander, Eglin AFB, Florida. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft, including tours as an instructor pilot and evaluator. He flew more than 200 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. EDUCATION 2003 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Colo. 2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. 2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2014 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 2015 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 2017 DARPA Fellowship, Arlington, Va. 2023 Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 2003 – May 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas 2. May 2005 – September 2006, Student, F-16 Upgrade Training, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 3. September 2006 – December 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Chief of Training, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (May 2007 – October 2007, F-16 Pilot/Assistant Weapons Officer, 13th Fighter Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq) 4. December 2007 – August 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Misawa AB, Japan (February 2009 – May 2009, F-16 Instructor Pilot/Activity Security Monitor, 13th Fighter Sq, Suwon AB, South Korea) 5. August 2009 – October 2010, F-16 IP/Flight Commander, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 6. October 2010 – May 2012, F-16 Evaluator Pilot (EP)/Stan-Eval Officer, 56th Operations Group, Luke AFB, Ariz. 7. May 2012 – August 2012, F-16 EP/Assistant Director of Operations (ADO), 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 8. August 2012 – December 2013, Student/Class Leader, AFIT, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 9. December 2013 – February 2015, Student/Class Leader, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. 10. February 2015 – December 2015, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/Training Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. December 2015 – July 2016, F-16 IP/Test Pilot/ADO, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. 12. July 2016 – May 2017, Fellow, DARPA, Arlington, Va. 13. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/EW & Autonomous Sys Lead, Joint Staff J8, Washington D.C. 14. May 2019 – July 2020, Wing Chief of Safety (data masked) 15. July 2020 – July 2022, Commander, Flight Test Squadron (data masked) 16. July 2022 – June 2023, Student, United States Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I. 17. July 2023 – June 2025, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. 18. July 2025 – present, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 2017 – May 2019, Requirements Officer/Electronic Warfare & Autonomous Systems Lead, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Lieutenant Colonel FLIGHT INFORMATION Rating: Command Pilot Flight hours: more than 2,400 Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16, experimental, and 29 others MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS 2003 Distinguished Graduate, US Air Force Academy 2004 Distinguished Graduate, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School 2014 Distinguished Graduate/Liethen-Tittle Award/Onizuka Prop Wash Award, US Air Force Test Pilot School 2020 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2022 AFMC Special Programs Test Team of the Year 2023 Distinguished Graduate with Highest Distinction, US Naval War College EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant May 28, 2003 First Lieutenant May 28, 2005 Captain May 28, 2007 Major May 1, 2013 Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2016 Colonel April 1, 2022 Click on the image to download official photo. (Current as of July 2025)