Col. Douglas A. Perry is the Commander of the 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He commands 16 units with an inventory of nine C-17 Globemaster III aircraft valued at $1.7 billion and is responsible for the operations, training, and equipping of more than 1,700 Airmen with a mission to provide unrivalled airlift and agile combat support across the spectrum of military operations. The wing provides worldwide movement of high priority personnel and cargo. Missions range from aeromedical evacuation to worldwide strategic airlift.
Col Perry first entered the Air Force enlisting in the Indiana Air National Guard, 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in February 1990 as an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist. Following technical training he served as a traditional guardsman until 1997. Col Perry was then selected to attend Officer Training School followed by Undergraduate Pilot Training, making the transfer to the Air Force Reserves, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron, 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom ARB, Indiana. After graduating from Officer Training School, earning his commission, he then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas. Prior to his current position, Col Perry was the Commander, 434th Operations Group, Grissom ARB, Indiana.
Col Perry has served in a variety of capacities at the squadron, group, and wing level throughout his career. He was hired on full-time as an Air Reserve Technician in June 2000. He has deployed as aircrew and staff numerous times in support of Operations Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Pacific Tanker Task Force, Iceland Defense Force, Unified Protector, Freedom Sentinel, and most recently Operation Inherent Resolve. Col Perry is a command pilot with over 4,900 total hours in the T-37, T-1A and KC-135R/T.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
2004 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2011 Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course, USAF Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N Mex.
2012 Aircraft Accident Investigation, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, Va.
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Master of Science, Transformational Leadership, University of Maryland Global Campus, Md.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Feb 1990 – Jun 1997, Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist, 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, Fort Wayne, Ind.
2. Jan 1998 – Jan 1999, Student Pilot, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, 47th Flying Training Wing, Laughlin AFB, Texas
3. Jan 1999 – May 1999, KC-135R copilot initial qualification, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, Okla.
4. Jul 1997 – Jun 2000, Pilot, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
5. Jul 2000 – Jul 2003, Stan/Eval, 434th Operations Group, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
6. Aug 2003 – Mar 2007, Assistant Chief of Training, 434th Operations Support Squadron
7. Apr 2007 – May 2010, Assistant Chief Pilot, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind
8. Jun 2010 – Mar 2011, Chief, Current Operations, 434th Operations Support Squadron
9. Apr 2011 – Jul 2015, Chief of Safety, 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
10. Aug 2015 – May 2018, Chief of Mission Development, 434th Operations Support Squadron
11. Jun 2018 – Mar 2022, Commander, 434th Operations Support Squadron, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
12. Mar 2022 – May 2024, Commander, 434th Operations Group, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.
13 May 2024 – Present, Commander, 445th Airlift Wing, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: more than 4,900
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-1A, and KC-135R/T
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with one service star
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/ Gold Border and four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with six 'M' Devices and Gold Service Device
NATO Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Honor Graduate, Aircraft Armament Systems Technical School
Distinguished Graduate, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
Flying Training Award, Air Education and Training Command
AETC Commanders Trophy, Air Education and Training Command
Distinguished Graduate, KC-135 Initial Qualification
(Current as of May 2024)