Colonel Daniel E. Rueth is the Vice Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. 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 to the U.S. Air Force Academy, 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 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, and Introductory Flight Training for all Air Force officers scheduled to enter pilot and 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.
Previously Col. Rueth served as the Chief, Functional Integration Team for Special Operations Forces and Personnel Recovery, Headquarters Air Force, A5/7, Air Force Futures, the Pentagon.
Col. Rueth earned his commission in 2001 through Officer Training School. He is a master navigator with over 3,000 flying hours in the T-1A, U-28A, and RC-135V/W including more than 1,500 combat hours.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Science in Linguistics, Truman State University, Mo.
2001 Officer Training School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer's School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Distinguished Graduate)
2008 Master of International Relations, Creighton University, Neb.
2012 Air Command and Staff College by correspondence
2012 Master of International Relations and Security Studies, Sofia University, Bulgaria
2020 Master of National Security Strategy, National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2001 - September 2001, Officer Candidate, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2. September 2001 - August 2002, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Randolph AFB, Texas
3. August 2002 - January 2004, Student, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
4. January 2004 - January 2005, EWO, 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
5. January 2005 - September 2005, Weapons and Tactics Officer, Instructor EWO, 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
6. September 2005 - September 2007, Squadron Training Flight Commander, Evaluator EWO, 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
7. September 2007 - September 2008, 55th Wing Deputy Director of Staff, Evaluator EWO, Offutt AFB, Neb.
8. September 2008 - September 2009, Assistant Operations Officer, Evaluator EWO, 338th Combat Training Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb.
9. September 2009 - July 2010, Language Student, 311th Training Squadron, Presidio of Monterey, Calif.
10. July 2010 - October 2012, Olmsted Scholar, Sofia University, Bulgaria
11. October 2012 - May 2013, Student, 19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
12. May 2013 - October 2013, CSO, 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
13. October 2013 - May 2015, Assistant Operations Officer, Instructor CSO, 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
14. May 2015 - January 2018, Director of Operations, 451st Flying Training Squadron, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.
15. January 2018 - June 2019, Commander, 479th Operations Support Squadron, Pensacola NAS, Fla.
16. June 2019 - June 2020, Student, National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
17. June 2020 - April 2022, Chief, Security Cooperation Strategy Division, Joint Staff J-5, Pentagon
18. April 2022 - June 2023, Chief, Special Operations Forces and Personnel Recovery FIT, Headquarters Air Force, A5/7, Air Force Futures, Pentagon
19. June 2023 - present, Vice Commander, 12th Flying Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Navigator
Flight hours: 3,020 including 1,598 in combat
Aircraft flown: T-1A, U-28A, RC-135V/W
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant September 27, 2001
First Lieutenant September 27, 2003
Captain September 27, 2005
Major November 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel October 1, 2016
Colonel April 1, 2022
(Current as of June 2023)