Col Thomas Graham is the Commander of the 52d Operations Group, which ensures the suppression of enemy air defenses, deters aggression with combat-ready airman, develops strategic partnerships and capabilities, and demonstrates commitment to our NATO Allies through presence and readiness.
Col Graham was commissioned into the Air Force in 2000 after graduating from the United States Military Academy. His previous flying assignments include duties as a T-38 instructor pilot and as an F-16 instructor pilot, FAC(A), mission commander, and squadron commander. Col Graham is a command pilot with more than 3000 total flying
hours and more than 650 combat hours. His combat experience includes operations Iraqi Freedom (2007, 2009) and Inherent Resolve (2017). He is credited with an air-to air kill for shooting down an Iranian UAV in 2009. Colonel Graham is also a certified Foreign Area Officer with proficiency in Polish, German, and Italian. Prior to this assignment Col Graham was Assistant Air Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London, UK.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelors Degree in Literature and International History, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
2005 Squadron Officer School
2009 Masters Degree in Business Administration, Touro University International, by correspondence
2010 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2013 Masters Degree in International Relations, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
2019 Air War College, by correspondence
2023 Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS
1. March 2001 - May 2002, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, NAS Whiting Field, FL, and Vance AFB, OK
2. October 2002 - May 2006, T-38 Instructor Pilot, 25th Flying Training Squadron, Vance AFB, OK
3. December 2006 - September 2009, F-16 Mission Commander, FAC(A), Flight Commander, 4th FS, Hill AFB, UT
4. September 2009 - July 2010, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 36th FS, Osan AB, Republic of Korea
5. June 2011 - July 2013, Olmsted Scholar, Krakow, Poland
6. November 2013 – May 2016, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Plans and Programs, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano AB, Italy
7. June 2016 – June 2018, Commander, 315th Fighter Squadron, Burlington, VT
8. July 2018 – May 2019, Deputy Commander, 158th Operations Group, Burlington, VT
9. June 2019 – June 2022, United States Assistant Air Attaché to the United Kingdom, London, UK
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2019 – present, United States Assistant Air Attaché to the United Kingdom, as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot, parachutist
Flight hours: more than 2800
Aircraft flown: F-16, T-38, T-34
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Distinguished Graduate, F-16 Basic Course
2006 Francis Gabreski Award, top USAF fighter basic course graduate
(CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 2023)