Colonel Lansing R. Pilch is the Commander, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He is responsible for F-35 A/B/C Lightning II flying and maintenance training for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and eight international partners. The wing is also responsible for all Air Force Air Battle Manager training at Tyndall AFB, Fla. and an Intelligence Formal Training Unit at Hurlburt Field, Fla. When fully equipped, the 33rd FW may operate up to approximately 60 F-35s assigned to two flying squadrons. The unique nature of this fighter wing accommodates service specific requirements in a non-traditional Air Force fighter wing structure.
Colonel Pilch entered the Air Force in 1993 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has held a variety of flying assignments to include Director of Operations for the 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla. and Commander, 27th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va., where he was the first to lead the F-22A to the Central Command area of responsibility. Prior to his current position he was the Commander of the 3rd Operations Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
EDUCATION
1993 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2001 Distinguished Graduate, USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2001 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2004 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Master of Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude), Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
2007 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1993 – January 1994, Intercollegiate Baseball Program Manager, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
2. January 1994 – May 1995, Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
3. June 1995 – March 1996, Student, F-16 Initial Qualification Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. March 1996 - March 1999, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Scheduling, Cannon AFB, N.M.
5. April 1999 – June 2000, F-16 Instructor Pilot and Wing Stan/Eval Officer, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan AB, South Korea
6. July 2000 – March 2003, F-16 Instructor Pilot and Weapons Officer, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
7. April 2003 – February 2008, F-22 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander, Assistant Director of Operations, and Director of Operations, 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
8. March 2008 – March 2010, Commander, 27th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
9. March 2010 – July 2010, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 1st Operations Group, Langley AFB, Va.
10. August 2010 – June 2011, Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C.
11. June 2011 – May 2013, Senior Military Evaluator for the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
12. June 2013 – June 2015, Commander, 3rd Operations Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
13. June 2015 – Present, Commander, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 2,750 including more than 900 hours in the F-22
Aircraft Flown: F-16, F-15, F-22A, F-35A, C-12, C-17, E-3
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1993
First Lieutenant June 2, 1995
Captain June 2, 1997
Major August 1, 2003
Lieutenant Colonel September 1, 2007
Colonel June 1, 2012
(Current as of November 2015)