Lt Col Scott D. Ryder is the Commander, 412th Communications Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, CA. He leads an integrated team of over 400 military, civilian and contractor professionals who operate and maintain a $72M C4 systems infrastructure for the 412th Test Wing, USAF Test Pilot School, AF Research Laboratory, NASA’s Neil Armstrong Flight Research Center and other associate units on the USAF’s second largest base.
Lieutenant Colonel Ryder enlisted in the Air Force in 1992 as a Target Intelligence Specialist. He commissioned as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Connecticut in 2002, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems. During his 23-year career, he has held a variety of communications and information officer and cyberspace operations positions at squadron, wing, numbered air force, major command, and interagency levels.
Lieutenant Colonel Ryder has deployed to Kuwait twice for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH providing target intelligence support to a combat rescue squadron and F-117A fighter squadron. He has also deployed to Iraq with the US Army Corps of Engineers and twice as the Chief of Maintenance for the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. Prior to his current position, Lt Col Ryder was the Division Chief, Cyberspace Operations, 24th Air Force, JBSA-Lackland, Texas.
EDUCATION
- 2002 Bachelor of Science, Management Information Systems, University of Connecticut
- 2002 Basic Communications and Electronics Officer Training, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
- 2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2009 Advanced Communications Officer Training, Keesler AFB, Miss.
- 2009 Master of Science, Software Engineering, Colorado State University
- 2009 Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- 2016 Master of Science and Technology Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 2002 – June 2004, Crew Commander, AFMC Network Operations and Security Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- June 2004 – May 2005, Executive Officer to the AFMC/A6, HQ AFMC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
- May 2005 – June 2006, Chief, Wing Communications and Information, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah
- June 2006 – June 2007, Flight Commander, Integration and Testing, 729th Air Control Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
- June 2007 – June 2008, Flight Commander, Mission Systems, 729th Air Control Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
- June 2008 – June 2009, Director, Mission Support, 729th Air Control Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
- May 2009 – May 2010, Certification and Accreditation Officer, Defense Information Systems Agency, Ft. Meade, Md.
- May 2010 – April 2011, Senior Watch Officer, DISA Command Center, DISA, Ft. Meade, Md.
- April 2011 – June 2012, Special Actions Officer, Director’s Action Group, DISA, Ft. Meade, Md.
- June 2012 – May 2013, Deputy Branch Chief, Architecture and Engineering, USAFE/A6, Ramstein AB, Germany
- May 2013 – June 2014, Branch Chief, Exercise and Engagement Planning, USAFE/A6, Ramstein AB, Germany
- June 2014 – August 2015, USAFE 17D FAM/Branch Chief, Force Management, USAFE/A6, Ramstein AB, Germany
- August 2015 – May 2016, IDE Graduate Student, National Intelligence University, Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
- June 2016 – June 2018, Commander, AETC Computer Systems Squadron, JBSA-Randolph, Texas
- July 2018 – June 2019, Chief, Cyberspace Operations Division, 24th Air Force, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
- June 2019 – Present, Commander, 412th Communications Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars
- Global War on Terrorism Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
- Second Lieutenant 27 May 2002
- First Lieutenant 27 May 2004
- Captain 27 May 2006
- Major 1 July 2012
- Lieutenant Colonel 1 May 2017
(Current as of October 2019)