Col. Daniel Fredberg is the deputy commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. In this role, he supports the commander of the Air Force's second-largest installation and the world's largest airfield, leading developmental test and evaluation of the F-47 Phoenix, YFQ-42A Dark Merlin, YFQ-44A Fury, B-21 Raider, T-7A Red Hawk, KC-46 Pegasus, F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, C-17 Globemaster III, B-2 Spirit, B-1 Lancer, F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-52 Stratofortress and other emerging technologies. He helps lead and manage operations supporting more than 27,500 active-duty, reserve, civil service and defense industrial contractor personnel across Edwards AFB and Air Force Operating Location Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.
Fredberg received his commission in 2006 through the ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. He began his career with graduate studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology, followed by an assignment as a lethality assessment engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. He then served as the executive officer for the 96th Air Base Wing at Eglin. During this assignment, he was selected for undergraduate remotely piloted aircraft training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, as a member of the Air Force’s first 18X MQ-9 Formal Training Unit class.
Fredberg’s operational experience includes serving with the 42nd Attack Squadron at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, where he flew close air support missions and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He subsequently attended the Air Force Test Pilot School, serving as a test pilot and leader on advanced remotely piloted aircraft test programs. Prior to squadron command, Fredberg served as program manager for the Strategic Combat Systems program at the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. He then commanded the 452nd Flight Test Squadron at the 412th Test Wing, overseeing developmental testing on advanced Air Force remotely piloted aircraft. Following his command tour, he attended the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, completing the Senior Acquisition Course.
Prior to his current assignment, Fredberg served as the deputy director for special programs within the Battlespace Awareness and Security Programs Directorate, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
EDUCATION
2006 Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
2008 Master of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2011 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2019 Master of Science, Science and Technology Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Bethesda, Md.
2024 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2024 Senior Acquisition Course, The Eisenhower School, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. June 2006–July 2006, Student, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2. July 2006–March 2008, Graduate Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. March 2008–March 2009, Lethality Assessment Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Eglin AFB, Fla.
4. March 2009–June 2010, Deputy Branch Chief, Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. June 2010–July 2011, Wing Executive Officer, 96th Air Base Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.
6. July 2011–August 2012, Student, Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training, 558th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Tex.
7. August 2012–December 2014, Flight Commander and MQ-9 Instructor Pilot, 42d Attack Squadron, Creech AFB, Nev.
8. December 2014–December 2015, Student, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
9. December 2015–June 2017, MQ-9 Chief Test Pilot, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Detachment 3, Operating Location Gray Butte, Calif.
10. June 2017–July 2018, Operating Location Commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Detachment 3, Operating Location Gray Butte, Calif.
11. July 2018–June 2019, Graduate Student (IDE), National Intelligence University, Bethesda, Md.
12. June 2019–June 2021, Program Manager – Operations and Sustainment, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, Washington, D.C.
13. June 2021–June 2023, Commander, 452d Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.
14. June 2023–June 2024, Graduate Student (SDE), National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
15. June 2024–June 2025, Team Chief, Joint Staff (J8), Support Agency Review & Assessment Office, Washington, D.C.
16. June 2025–July 2026, Deputy Director, Special Programs, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, Washington, D.C.
17. July 2026–Present, Deputy Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Evaluator RPA Pilot
Flight hours: more than 1,000 primarily in the MQ-9 and other RPA
Aircraft flown: Over 27 aircraft on U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School syllabus
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
(Current as of August 2026)