Colonel Ryan "Rhino" Strong is the Maintenance Group Commander for the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas. The 190th Maintenance Group is a combat-ready AMC gained 12PAA KC-135 aerial refueling wing. The 190th Maintenance Group maintains mission ready aircraft and support personnel, extending USAF core competencies of air and space superiority, global attack, rapid global mobility, precision engagement, and air and space superiority.
Colonel Strong attended Baker University and graduated in 1998 with a B.S. in Accounting. He joined the 190th ARW in September 1999 and subsequently commissioned September 2001 from the Academy of Military Science, Mcghee-Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, TN, and graduating from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, TX in April 2003.
Colonel Strong has served in a number of positions to include TAG UAS Project Officer, 117th Air Refueling Squadron, Aircrew Training & Tactics, Current Operations, Wing Weapons Officer, 117th Air Refueling Squadron Chief Pilot, Chief of Wing Plans & Programs, Wing Inspector General, 190th Maintenance Squadron Commander, 190th Maintenance Group Deputy Commander, 190th Operations Group Commander, and 190th Maintenance Group Commander. Colonel Strong has logged over 5,300 total hours as an instructor and evaluator pilot. He has participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom Sentinel, and Restore Hope.
EDUCATION
1996 Associates Degree, Butler County Community College
1998 Bachelor of Science, Accounting
2003 Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
2006 Aircraft Commander Upgrade Course
2008 Squadron Officer School
2009 KC-135 Central Flight Instructor Course
2010 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course
2011 Combat Crew Tactics School
2011 USAF Weapons Instructor Course
2014 Air Command and Staff College
2018 Nuclear Leadership Course
2019 Inspector General Course
2021 Air War College
2022 Safety Board President Course
2022 Command Leadership Course
2022 Contemporary Base Issues Course
2023 DIRMOBFOR Qualification Course
2023 USNORTHCOM & USSTRATCOM DIRMOBFOR Emersion Course
ASSIGNMENTS
Aug 01 - Sep 01, Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, TN
Apr 02 - Apr 03, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX
May 03 - Aug 03, Combat Crew Copilot Qualification, Altus AFB, Altus, OK
Aug 03 - Jun 12 , KC-135 Pilot, 117th Air Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field ANGB, Topeka, KS
Jun 12 - Feb 14, Aircrew Training & Tactics Weapons Officer, 190th Operations Support Flt
Feb 14 - Jan 15, Chief of Scheduling/Wing Tactics officer, 190th Operations Support Flt
Oct 15 – Nov 15, 506 EARS/CC & 506EARS/DO, 36WG Anderson AFB, Guam
Mar 16 – Jan 17, 190OGV Evaluator Pilot, 190th Operations Group
Jan 17 – Oct 18, Chief of Wing Plans & Programs, 190th Air Refueling Wing
Oct 18 – May 19, Inspector General, 190th Air Refueling Wing
May 19 – Oct 20, 190ARW Maintenance Squadron Commander, 190th Maintenance Group
Oct 20 – Oct 21, Deputy Group Commander, 190th Maintenance Group
Oct 21 – Mar 24, Group Commander, 190th Operations Group
Mar 24 – Present, Group Commander, 190th Maintenance Group
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters Air Force Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster Air Force Achievement Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster Meritorious Unit Award with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster Combat Readiness Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal with 1 Service Star
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster AF Longevity Service with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 Hourglass Devices 4 ‘M’ Devices Air Force Training Ribbon
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Life Member National Guard Association of the United States Life Member National Guard Association of Kansas
Life Member Reserve Officers Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant (21 September 2001)
First Lieutenant (21 September 2003)
Captain (21 September 2005)
Major (25 June 2010)
Lieutenant Colonel (8 January 2016)
Colonel (30 November 2022)
(Current as of March 2024)