Colonel Brandon J. Tellez is the Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He commands the 4,300-member Cadet Wing and more than 200 Air Force and civilian personnel. He guides military, leadership, character development, Basic Cadet Training and Expeditionary Skills Training for the Air Force Cadet Wing in addition to providing facilities and logistical support.
Col. Tellez received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2001. After earning his wings from the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he reported to his first operational assignment at Langley AFB, Va. Flying the F-15C before transitioning to the F-22A, Col. Tellez has served four flying tours in addition to several deployments around the world culminating in his command of the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Col. Tellez is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School with ~2500 hours of flight time, including 300 hours of combat. He received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School and a master’s degree in National Security Resourcing Strategy from the Eisenhower School.
Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Senior Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Management and Pre-Med, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2002 Master of Business Finance, Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Pa.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (Correspondence)
2012 Advanced Studies Group, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School, Newport, R.I.
2018 Master of National Security Resourcing Strategy, The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2001 - July 2002, Student, Katz School of Business, Pittsburgh, Pa.
2. August 2002 - March 2004, Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training/IFF, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. April 2004 - November 2004, Student, F-15C Initial Qualification Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. December 2004 - June 2007, F-15C Mission Commander, Electronic Combat Officer, 71st Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
5. July 2007- October 2007, Student, F-22A Initial Qualification Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
6.October 2007 - July 2009, F-22A Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, 27th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
7. July 2009 - December 2009, Student, United States Air Force Weapons School, 433rd Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. January 2010 - February 2014, Squadron/Wing Weapons Officer/Director of Operations, 7th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
9. February 2014 - June 2015, Chief of Safety, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
10. June 2015 - May 2017, Commander, 525th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
11. August 2017 - June 2018, Graduate Student, Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
12. June 2018 - June 2021, Operations Research Analyst, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense
13. June 2021 - June 2023, Commander, 1st Operations Group, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
14. July 2023 - June 2025, Commander, 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
15. June 2025 - May 2026, Senior Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
16. May 2026 - Present, Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2018 - June 2021, Operations Research Analyst, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 2,500 including 300 hours of combat
Primary Aircraft Flown: F-22A, F-15C/D and T-38A/C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with eight oak leaf clusters
(Current as of May 2026)