Colonel Ryan (“Rhino”) Strong is the Operations Group Commander for the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas. The 190th Operations Group is a combat-ready AMC gained 12PAA KC-135 aerial refueling wing. The 190th Operations Group maintains mission ready aircrew 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. 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
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 01 - Sep 01, Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, TN
2. Apr 02 - Apr 03, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX
3. May 03 - Aug 03, Combat Crew Copilot Qualification, Altus AFB, Altus, OK
4. Aug 03 - Jun 12 , KC-135 Pilot, 117th Air Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field ANGB, Topeka, KS
5. Jun 12 - Feb 14, Aircrew Training & Tactics Weapons Officer, 190th Operations Support Flt
6. Feb 14 - Jan 15, Chief of Scheduling/Wing Tactics officer, 190th Operations Support Flt
7. Oct 15 – Nov 15, 506 EARS/CC & 506EARS/DO, 36WG Anderson AFB, Guam
8. Mar 16 – Jan 17, 190OGV Evaluator Pilot, 190th Operations Group
9. Jan 17 – Oct 18, Chief of Wing Plans & Programs, 190th Air Refueling Wing
10. Oct 18 – May 19, Inspector General, 190th Air Refueling Wing
11. May 19 – Oct 20, 190ARW Maintenance Squadron Commander, 190th Maintenance Group
12. Oct 20 – Oct 21, Deputy Group Commander, 190th Maintenance Group
13. Oct 21 – Present, Operations Group Commander, 190th Operations 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
Kansas National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon Kansas National Guard Achievement 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 Feb 2023)