Colonel Seth Taylor is the Commander of the 52d Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, which ensures the suppression of enemy air defenses, deters aggression with combat-ready airmen, develops strategic partnerships and capabilities, and demonstrates commitment to our NATO Allies through presence and readiness.
Col Taylor received his commission in January 2005 as a distinguished graduate through the ROTC program at Clemson University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, and F-16. He has flown the F-16 in multiple operational assignments around the world including over 830 combat hours and four combat deployments during operations ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Col Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (summa cum laude), a Master of Military Operational Art and Science (with highest academic distinction), and a Master of Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy (distinguished graduate) as well as graduating from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College (distinguished graduate). Col Taylor has held positions as an instructor pilot, flight examiner, weapons officer, director of operations, and commander. He was the commander of the 55th Fighter Squadron, and a student at the Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Advanced Warfighting School. Prior to his current position, Col Taylor was the Homeland Defense Policy, and Strategy Branch Chief, for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, summa cum laude, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
2011 Distinguished Graduate Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014 F-16 Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2014 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, with highest academic distinction, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Distinguished graduate Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, Kan.
2023 Master of Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy distinguished graduate, Joint Advanced Warfighting School, Norfolk, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2005-July 2006, Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2. July 2006-May 2007, Student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. June 2007-September 2008, F-16 Pilot, Assistant Chief of Training, 36th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
4. October 2008-July 2012, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Activity Security Manager, Chief of Scheduling, and Flight Commander, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
5. July 2012-January 2014 F-16 Instructor Pilot, Squadron Executive Officer, 510th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
6. January 2014-June 2014, F-16 Weapons Instructor Course, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. July 2014-April 2016, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
8. April 2016- May 2017, Chief of Wing Weapons and Tactics, Chief of Current Operations, 35th Operational Support Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan
9. June 2017-June 2018, Student Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, Kan.
10. June 2018-May 2019, Assistant Director of Operations, 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
11. May 2019-Feb 2020, Director of Operations, 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
12. Feb 2020-June 2022, Commander, 55th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
13. June 2022-June 2023, Student Joint Advanced Warfighting School, Norfolk, Va.
14. July 2023-June 2026, Homeland Defense Policy and Strategy Branch Chief North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Directorate of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, and Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander United States Northern Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo.
15. July 2026 – Present, Commander, 52d Operations Group, Spangdahlem AB, Germany
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2023-June 2025, Homeland Defense Policy and Strategy Branch Chief, Directorate of Strategy, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a Lieutenant Colonel
2. June 2024-June 2026, Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander, United States Northern Command, Peterson SFB, Colo., as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,800, 830 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: F-16CM Blocks 25-52, T-38A/B/C, T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
National Aeronautic Association Mackay Trophy 2015
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant January 1, 2005
First Lieutenant January 1, 2007
Captain January 1, 2009
Major June 1, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel September 1, 2020
Colonel May 1, 2025
(Current as of June 2026)