Colonel Tyler R. Cox is the Commander, 173d Maintenance Group, 173d Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, Oregon. As the 173d Maintenance Group Commander, he is responsible for all matters pertaining to aircraft and equipment readiness. He exercises oversight and command of 500-member team composed of Total Force Airmen dedicated to the success of daily operations and training at Kingsley Field. The 173d Fighter Wing is home of the U.S. Air Force’s sole source of F-15C pilot production tasked to train the world’s greatest air superiority fighter pilots.
Col Cox Joined the Oregon Air National Guard in 2000 as an enlisted Aircrew Life Support Technician. After graduated from Western Oregon University in 2003 Col Cox was commissioned and completed undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas in 2005. Col Cox was assigned to Portland Air National Guard Base as his first assignment after graduation F-15A/C Basic Course in 2006. Col Cox is an F-15C Evaluator/Instructor Pilot with over 3,000 total hours and has participated in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, ATLANTIC RESOLVE, NOBLE EAGLE, and AMERICAN RESOLVE. Prior to his current position, Col Cox was the Squadron Commander for the 173 Maintenance Squadron, Kingsley Field ANGB, Oregon.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Western Oregon University, Monmouth OR.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Al.
2018 Master of Military Studies, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA.
2018 Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, VA.
2022 ANG Squadron Commanders Course, Joint Base Andrews, MD
2022 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2023 Commanders Legal Orientation Course, Washington, D.C.
2024 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2024 Safety Board Presidents Course, by correspondence.
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 2000 – January 2004, Aircrew Life Support Technician, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- March 2004 - April 2005, Student Pilot, Laughlin Air Force Base, Tex.
- April 2005 – September 2005, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, 49th FTS, Moody AFB,GA.
- October 2005 - May 2006, F-15A/C Basic Course, 114th FS, Kingsley ANGB, Ore.
- May 2006 – May 2009, F-15 Mission Pilot, 123d Fighter Squadron, Portland ANGB, Ore.
- May 2009 – May 2010, Assistant Weapons Officer, 114 FS, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore
- November 2010 – January 2012, Instructor Pilot, Chief of Training, 114 FS, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore
- June 2012 – April 2014, F-15 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Academics, 173 OSS, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- May 2014 – November 2016, Instructor Pilot, Chief of Scheduling, 173 FW, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- Nov 2016 – June 2017, Evaluator/Instructor Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, 114 FS, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- July 2017 – June 2018, Student, Marine Corps Command and staff College, Quantico MCB, Va.
- Jun 2018 – Dec 2020, Chief of Standards and Evaluations, 173 OG, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- December 2020 – June 2022, Director of Operations, 114 FS, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- June 2022 – August 2023, Commander, 114 FS, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- August 2023 – December 2024, Commander, 173 Maintenance Squadron, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
- December 2024 – Present, Commander, 173 Maintenance Group, Kingsley Field ANGB, Ore.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 3,000
Aircraft Flown: F-15A/BC/D, T-6A, T-38A/C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air and Space Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices and one M device
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate ribbon
Air and Space training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Training Ribbon
Oregon National Guard Superior Unit Citation with two devices
Oregon Faithful Service Medal with four devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2001 Honor Graduate Basic Military Training
2001 Top Graduate Aircrew Life Support Technical School
2004 Honor Graduate Academy of Military Science
2005 87th Flying Training Squadron “Red Bull Award”
2006 114 FS, Top Gun, F-15A/C Basic Course
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Aug, 18 2000
Senior Airman Jan 1, 2002
Staff Seargent Jan 6, 2004
Second Lieutenant Feb, 20, 2004
First Lieutenant Feb 20, 2006
Captain Feb 20, 2008
Major Apr 19, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 6, 2017
Colonel Dec 12, 2024
(Current as of Jan 2025)