Colonel Taylor Ferrell is the Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The 12 FTW is the Source of America’s Airpower, delivering unrivaled airpower leaders for the future of the U.S. Air Force. The wing consists of three flying groups and a maintenance group spanning more than 1,400 miles from JBSA-Randolph, Texas, Naval Air Station-Pensacola, Florida and the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The 12 FTW is responsible for four single-source aviation pipelines – Pilot Instructor Training, Combat Systems Officer Training, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot Indoctrination, and Basic Sensor Operator Qualification. The wing manages all airmanship programs for USAFA cadets and Introductory Flight Training for all Air Force Airmen scheduled to enter pilot, combat systems officer, or remotely piloted aircraft training. The wing also hosts an Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals program and conducts Electronic Warfare Training for the U.S. Air Force and multi-national forces.
Col. Ferrell is a 2000 graduate of Centre College and was commissioned through the University of Kentucky ROTC program. He previously served as the commander of the 18th Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Col. Ferrell is a graduate of the USAF Weapons School and served as the Chief F-15C Weapons School Instructor. He is a command pilot with over 2,000 flying hours primarily in the F-15C.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science, Economics, Centre College, Danville, Ky.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2011 Master's Degree, Aerospace Science & Technology, Embry-Riddle University, Fla.
2013 Master's Degree, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Ala.
2014 Master's Degree, Philosophy in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Air University, Ala. 2018 Master's Degree, Science in National Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2000 – February 2001, Operations Scheduler, 19th Operations Support Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
2. February 2001 – February 2002, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
3. June 2002 – February 2003, Student, F-15C Fighter Training Unit, 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. February 2003 – January 2006, Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
5. January 2006 – June 2007, Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 1st & 2nd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
6. June 2007 – January 2008, Student, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 2008 – January 2009, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
8. January 2009 – June 2012, U.S. Air Force Weapons School Instructor, 433rd Weapons Squadron, Aide-de Camp to the commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. June 2012 – June 2013, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
10. June 2013 – June 2014, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 2014 – June 2015, Deputy Commander, 414th Combat Training Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
12. June 2015 – June 2017, Commander, 57th Operations Support Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV.
13. June 2017 – July 2018, Student, Dwight D. Eisenhower School, NDU, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
14. July 2018 – May 2020, Chief, Strategy & Policy Division, U.S. Forces Korea, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea.
15. May 2020 – June 2022, Commander, 18th Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan
16. August 2022 – Present, Commander, 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2018 – May 2020, Chief, Strategy & Policy Division, U.S. Forces Korea, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,000
Aircraft flown: F-15C, E-3G, KC-135, HH-60G, AT-38, T-38 and T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1, 2000
First Lieutenant June 1, 2002
Captain June 1, 2004
Major May 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Feb 1, 2015
Colonel March 1, 2019
(Current as of July 2022)