Tony D. Bauernfeind

Tony Bauernfeind
Tony Bauernfeind
	Official portrait, 2024
Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 2 August 2024
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Thomas Sherman (acting)
Personal details
Born	February 14, 1969 (age 56)
Education	United States Air Force Academy (BS); Auburn University (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1991–present
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	United States Air Force Academy; Air Force Special Operations Command; Special Operations Command Korea; 27th Special Operations Wing; 1st Special Operations Group;
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan; Iraq War;
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal (3); Legion of Merit (2); Bronze Star Medal (3);

Tony D. Bauernfeind (born 14 February 1969) is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who has served as the 22nd superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy since 2 August 2024.^[1] He most recently served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2022 to 2024.^[2] He served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2020 to 2022;^[3] as vice commander, Bauernfeind was responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing actions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the services and other government agencies in the national capital region on behalf of the commander of United States Special Operations Command. He previously served as Special Operations Command's chief of staff and as commander of Special Operations Command Korea.^[3]

Quick facts Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, President ...

In June 2022, Bauernfeind was selected as commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command.^[4]^[5] In May 2024, he was nominated for assignment as superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy.^[6]^[7] He began this assignment on 2 August 2024.

	Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
	Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
	Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Defense Meritorious Service Medal
	Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
	Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Joint Service Achievement Medal
	Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device, one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
	Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Korea Defense Service Medal
	Humanitarian Service Medal
	Air and Space Campaign Medal
	Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
	Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and two oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
	Air Force Training Ribbon
	NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia

Awards and decorations