Lt Col Brandon A. Pasterski is the Commander of the 8th Airlift Squadron, 62d Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. In this role, Lt Col Pasterski leads 140 Airmen in the execution of tactical and strategic C-17A airland and airdrop missions to meet the requirements of Air Mobility Command, USTRANSCOM, and other combatant commands. He is responsible for training and equipping personnel and the assignment of aircrew to support requirements across the full range of military operations, to include major combat operations, contingencies, aeromedical, and humanitarian missions.
Lt Col Pasterski was commissioned in May 2009 through Air Force ROTC at Arizona State University. He began his career as a Combat Systems Officer in the B-52H Stratofortress where he provided key capabilities to U.S. Strategic Command’s nuclear triad. He is a senior pilot with over 2,900 flight hours across 6 airframes. Prior to his current position, Lt Col Pasterski served as Operations Officer and C-17A Instructor Aircraft Commander, 62d Operations Support Squadron, Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA.
EDUCATION
2009 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe
2015 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2018 Master of Business Administration in Aerospace and Aviation Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
2019 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2022 Joint and Combined Warfighting School – JPME II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2022 Joint Air Operations Planning Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- May 2009 - August 2010, Student, Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training, 562nd Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- August 2010 - August 2011, Student, B-52H Dual Seat Navigator Training, 11th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.
- August 2011 - July 2013, Navigator, 69th Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D. (April 2011 - October 2011, Navigator, 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam)
- July 2013 - January 2015, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla.
- January 2015 - May 2015, Student, C-17A Pilot Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
- May 2015 – September 2015, C-17A Pilot, Tactics Assistant Flight Commander, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- September 2015 – September 2016, C-17A Pilot, Executive Officer, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- September 2016 – March 2017, C-17A Aircraft Commander, Flight Commander, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- March 2017 – January 2018, C-17A Instructor Aircraft Commander, Executive Officer, 60th Operations Group, Travis AFB, Calif.
- March 2017 – January 2018, C-17A Instructor Aircraft Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif.
- January 2018 – May 2019, Chief of Squadron Safety and C-17A Formal Training Unit Instructor Pilot, 58th Airlift Squadron, Altus AFB, Okla.
- May 2019 – February 2020, Wing Executive Officer and C-17A Formal Training Unit Instructor Pilot, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, Okla.
- 1 February 2020 – June 2022, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Va.
- July 2022 – May 2023, Student, Air Command & Staff College, 38th Student Squadron, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- June 2023 – October 2024, Chief Pilot, 4th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash. (March 2024 – October 2024, Director, Operations Directorate (A3), 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait)
- October 2024 – June 2026, Operations Officer, 62d Operations Support Squadron, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash. (April 2026 – May 2026, Deputy Commander, 362d Air Expeditionary Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany)
17. June 2026 – Present, Commander, 8th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2020 – June 2022, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Va., as a major.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Ratings: Senior Pilot, Combat Systems Officer
Flight hours: More than 2,900
Aircraft flown: T-43A, T-6A, T-1A, B-52H, C-17A, and the KC-135R
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Nuclear Defense Operations Service Medal with “N” device
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 13, 2009
First Lieutenant May 23, 2011
Captain May 23, 2013
Major November 1, 2018
Lieutenant Colonel November 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2026)