UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

MAJOR TROY L. GILBERT

Major Troy Gilbert is the 309th Fighter Squadron Assistant Director of Operations, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. As the Assistant Director of Operations, Major Gilbert’s responsibilities include training U.S. Air Force active and reserve component F-16 pilots in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions for worldwide application. He maintains combat-ready status to augment forces for the strategic defense of the continental United States.

Major Gilbert received his economics degree from Texas Tech University in 1993 and was commissioned in August of 1994 following graduation from Officer Training School as a distinguished graduate. His first duty assignment was at Lakenheath Air Base, England, where he served as the Chief of Customer Support, Protocol Officer, and Squadron Section Commander. Following assignment at Lakenheath, Major Gilbert was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy where he served as the Protocol Officer. He completed undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in January 2001. He has served as an F-16 instructor pilot, flight examiner, and flight commander and logged more than 130 combat hours during Operation ALLIED FORCE, NORTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM. Additionally he has served as the 56th Fighter Wing Flying Executive Assistant. He has amassed more than 1,000 flying hours in the F-16.

Maj Gilbert has been selected for the prestigious Army Command and Staff School.

EDUCATION

1994 - Bachelor of Arts degree Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2002 - Squadron Officers School (in residence), Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. February 1995 – October 1997, chief of customer support, protocol officer, and squadron section commander, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, then Laughlin AFB, Texas
  2. October 1997 – October 1998, protocol officer, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
  3. October 1998 – June 2000, student, Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, 82nd Flying Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas
  4. June 2000 – January 2001, student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
  5. January 2001 – January 2003, F-16 pilot, flight commander, chief of squadron scheduling, chief of squadron training, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy
  6. January 2003 – present, assistant director of operations, wing flying executive officer, flight commander, chief of training, and F-16 flight evaluator, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.

FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Pilot
Flight hours: 1,300
Aircraft flown: Primarily F-16, AT-38, T-38, T-37

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor (Posthumous)
Purple Heart (Posthumous)
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long
Air Force Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal