Col. John "Bryan" Creel began his military career in 1985 as an enlisted helicopter mechanic in the Army. He then attended helicopter flight training and flew the UH-60 Black Hawk as a Warrant Officer. After 15 years he separated from the Army, enlisted in the Air Force, and graduated Officer Training School in 2000. He has held positions at the squadron, wing, and deployed Joint Force Command levels including two tours in Afghanistan as an AFPAK Hand. Colonel Creel’s operational tours include Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, JOINT ENDEAVOR, JOINT GUARD, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM. He holds an undergraduate degree in professional aeronautics and two graduate degrees in business aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
EDUCATION
1987 U.S. Army Warrant Officer Entry Course
1997 U.S. Army Warrant Officer Advanced Course
1999 Bachelors in Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2000 Master of Business Administration in Aviation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2000 USAF Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2002 USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, NV
2006 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2012 Strategic Policy Fellowship (IDE), Washington, DC
2012 Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
2018 Marine Corps War College, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 85 – Jul 87, Helicopter Mechanic, 2348th Trans Company, MS ARNG Meridian, MS
2. Jul 87 – May 89, UH-1H helicopter pilot, 2348th Trans Company, MS ARNG, Meridian, MS
3. May 89 – Jun 93, UH-60 Flight Lead / Unit Trainer, C/5-101st Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell KY
4. Jun 93 – Nov 94, UH-60 Instructor Pilot, 6-6th Cavalry, Illeshiem, GE
5. Nov 94 – Jun 97, UH-60 Standardization Officer / Instrument Flight Examiner, A/1-158th Aviation Regiment, Wiesbaden GE
6. Jun 97 – Jun 98, Instructor, UH-60A Instructor Pilot Course, C/2-212th Aviation, Ft Rucker, AL
7. Jun 98 – Jul 00, UH-60 Standardization Officer, Aviation Training Brigade, Ft Rucker, AL
8. May 01 – Jun 02, Plans Officer, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
9. Dec 02 – Jun 05, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
10. Jun 05 – Apr 10, Student Flight Commander, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB NV
11. Apr 10 – Dec 10, J3 Air, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A) Kabul, Afghanistan
12. Dec 10 – May 11, Executive Officer to the Commanding General, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A) Kabul, Afghanistan
13. Jul 11 – Jun 12, Fellow, Air Force Strategic Policy, AETC, Washington DC
14. Jun 12 – Mar 13, AFPAK Hand, Air Staff, Pentagon, Washington DC
15. Mar 13 – Jun 13, Liaison Officer, Presidential Information Coordination Center, Presidential Palace and HQ ISAF, Kabul Afghanistan.
16. Jul 13 – Oct 14, Director of Operations, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB GA
17. Oct 14 – Jun 15, Director of Operations, 347th Operational Support Squadron, Moody AFB GA.
18. Jun 15 – Jul 17, Commander, 34th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB
19. Jul 17 – Jul 18, Student, Marine Corps War College, Quantico VA
20. Jul 18 – current, Commander, 347th Rescue Group, Moody AFB, GA
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 7,000 hours
Aircraft Flown: TH-55, UH-1H, UH-60A/L, and HH-60G
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Mackay Trophy
DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant Sep 2000
First Lieutenant Sep 2002
Captain Sep 2004
Major Aug 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Dec 2013
Colonel May 2018