Col. Bradley Klemesrud, Deputy Commander of the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah, is responsible for a wing tasked to provide combat-ready forces in support of national objectives. Comprised of approximately 1,300 Reserve and Civilian Airmen, he assists in the management and oversight of day-to-day operations and serves as the wing’s senior officer in the absence of the commander.
Col. Klemesrud earned his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1998. He is a command pilot with over 3,300 flying hours, including 452 hours in combat. Col. Klemesrud served in active duty assignments in Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces before entering the Air Force Reserve in 2007 and has served as a Traditional Reservist, an Air Reserve Technician, as well as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee. Prior to his current position, Col. Klemesrud was the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director of Air, Space, and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2002 Fighter Electronic Combat Officer Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2003 Joint Firepower Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2008 Reserve Officer Development Course, Robins AFB, Ga.
2008 International Joint Officer Leadership Development Course, Zurich, Switzerland
2010 Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2011 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2013 USAF High Angle of Attack Training, Edwards AFB, Calif.
2013 USAF Advanced Instrument School, M. Monroney FAA Center, Okla.
2018 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1998 – May 1999, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 80th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2. June 1999 – October 1999, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 80th FTW, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. October 1999 – November 2000, Student, F-16 Flying Training Unit, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. November 2000 – June 2002, Squadron Scheduler, 79th FS, Shaw AFB, S.C.
5. June 2002 – June 2003, Electronic Combat Pilot, 79th FS, Shaw AFB, S.C.
6. June 2003 – June 2004, Flight Commander/Air Liaison Officer, 604th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea
7. June 2004 – July 2005, Wing Weapons Air to Ground Officer, 388th Operations Support Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
8. July 2005 – February 2007, Flight Commander, 421st FS, Hill AFB, Utah
9. February 2007 – November 2008, Fighter Pilot, 457th FS, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas
10. November 2008 – November 2009, Chief of Scheduling, 457th FS, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
11. November 2009 – July 2014, Chief, Fighter Enhancement Program, 301st Fighter Wing, NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas
12. July 2014 – July 2015, Assistant Director of Operations, 466th FS, Hill AFB, Utah
13. July 2015 – July 2016, Director of Operations, 419th Operations Support Flight, Hill AFB, Utah
14. July 2016 – June 2018, Director of Operations, 466th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
15. June 2018 – July 2021, Deputy Commander, 419th Operations Group, Hill AFB, Utah
16. August 2021 – November 2023, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director of Air, Space, and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
17. November 2023 – Present, Deputy Commander, 419th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,300, including 452 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16C, F-16CG, F-16CJ, F-35A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one device
Iraqi Campaign Medal with two devices
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service with four leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two M devices
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 27, 1998
First Lieutenant May 27, 2000
Captain May 27, 2002
Major Oct. 8, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 8, 2015
Colonel Aug. 1, 2021
(Current as of November 2023)