Behind the rank: Meet the new 412th EWG commander Published Aug. 31, 2026 By Laisa Leao 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The passing of a guidon signifies a formal shift in military command, but the arrival of a new commander also brings a new neighbor, friend and human behind the rank. For Col. David Aparicio, who took command of the 412th Electronic Warfare Group July 10, the first major pivot in his life occurred long before he wore a uniform. Coming from a family of highly educated chemists, he initially planned to follow suit. Instead, he chose to chart his own course after high school, majoring in electrical and computer engineering. This foundational decision ultimately paved his way to the cutting edge of electronic warfare. “When I was touring the school I wanted to go to, this guy in a flight suit came up to me and said that if I studied electrical and computer engineering instead of biochemistry, the Air Force would give me a full ride,” Aparicio said. “I was very much sold, but I stayed far beyond my commitment because I connected to the mission and the people from the very beginning.” While Aparicio is now the commander of one of the fastest-evolving domains in modern warfare, his 22-year journey came with humbling moments. As a junior officer, he once faced the repercussions of stepping into a briefing unprepared, facing a barrage of questions he couldn't answer. That experience taught him a lifelong lesson: while “good enough” might keep a project afloat under normal conditions, it remains a fragile state. Preparation is what transforms a vulnerable, baseline effort into a resilient, high-performing operation, according to Aparicio. Aparicio’s level of responsibility has risen quite a bit since then, requiring stability, focus and discipline. He attributes the foundation of his career primarily to his strong, supportive family. He also made a habit of starting his day by running with his dog, Hunter, to decompress, clear his mind and stay focused and grounded. This daily routine keeps him physically active while sparking fresh ideas for ongoing projects. “It’s a moment to think about the day ahead, the challenges, and even do some problem-solving in my head while running around the base with my dog,” Aparicio said. “It’s a combination of quiet time to reflect and mentally prepare for the mission.” Col. David Aparicio, 412th Electronic Warfare Group commander, starts his day by running with his dog, Hunter, to decompress, clear his mind and stay physically active while sparking fresh ideas, Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lindsey Gordon) During his deployment to Afghanistan in 2009, Aparicio has seen at first sight what it takes to operate in urgency and the need of develop capabilities to help protect the warfighter. That experience stayed as an inspiration and motivation to carry on his duties ever since. At Edwards Air Force Base, Aparicio currently holds a critical national security role. He commands a group that tests, evaluates and develops advanced defensive and offensive electronic capabilities to help aircraft and Airmen survive in highly contested, modern and lethal threat environment. When he is in the office, Aparicio makes an effort to talk directly with his team members. This open communication channel helps him understand their challenges and identify what they need to perform at their best. He also enjoys joining the team for weekly gatherings, praising their cohesiveness and strong bond and noting that not only do they excel at their individual jobs, but they genuinely enjoy working together. “Work hard, be prepared and don’t freak out when things don’t happen exactly when you expect them to,” Aparicio said. “It will eventually work out. If you are given the most important job on the base, great—do it well. If you are given a less visible job that may not seem important, tackle it with enthusiasm and do it well. There is a good chance your boss knows it’s not the most awesome job, and if they see you knock it out, they will appreciate it.” Years from now, when Aparicio’s assignment ends and he hands off the 412th EWG guidon to the next commander, he hopes to be remembered as someone who valued his team as people and helped them prioritize their work. That prioritization is critical given the group's highly technical focus. Modern military systems rely heavily on the electromagnetic spectrum for communication, sensing, navigation and targeting. The 412th EWG develops and tests new capabilities that enable American forces to see, communicate, navigate and strike, while denying adversaries the ability to do the same. “People get the mission done, so my job is to take care of my people so they can take care of our mission,” he added. “We all tend to think we can be Superman and Superwoman trying to get it all done, but sometimes that’s just not possible without reaching a breaking point. It takes supervisors and leaders to guide the team, helping them prioritize and focus on the things that are time-sensitive or carry the greatest importance.”