Col. Brian Toth is the Commander of the 354th Operations Group, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The 354th Operations Group provides combat-ready forces, global air operations support, and realistic full-spectrum combat training for the joint force and international partners via three squadrons. The 354th Operations Support Squadron provides combat forces, exercise and air-bridge support through a diverse array of specialties while the 353d Combat Training Squadron at Eielson along with Detachment 1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, provides the facilities, staff and battle space environment for full spectrum combat training to U.S. Air Force, joint and coalition forces through RED FLAG-Alaska exercises. Adding to the realistic combat training of U.S. and allied fighter units is the 18th Aggressor Squadron, which presents fighter aircrew and intelligence personnel with a realistic look at enemy aerial tactics and weapons systems subject area expertise to better prepare both for combat.
Col. Toth entered the Air Force as a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in 1994. He has served in numerous operational, staff, and command positions including F-16 electronic combat pilot, instructor pilot, chief of standardization and evaluation, squadron weapons officer, forward air controller (airborne), flight commander, director of F-16 operational tests, assistant director of operations, and chief of the weapons and tactics branch for USAFE. His assignments and deployments included multiple F-16 tours across various commands to include Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Cannon AFB, N.M., Eielson, Eglin AFB, Fla., Spangdahlem AB, Germany, Balad AB, Iraq, and United States Air Forces in Europe headquarters at Ramstein AB, Germany. Col. Toth is a command pilot with more than 2,300 flying hours. He has flown combat missions in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM with more than 175 combat hours.
EDUCATION
1994 Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, Colo., Distinguished Graduate
1997 U.S. Air Force Fighter Electronic Combat Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2001 U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2001 U.S. Air Force Joint Firepower Control Course, Nellis AFB, Nev., Distinguished Graduate
2001 U.S. Air Force Forward Air Control-Airborne Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., Distinguished Graduate
2006 Master of Arts in Environmental Policy & Management, American Military University, Va.
2007 Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Master of Military Arts and Sciences, Air Command and Staff College, Ala.
2009 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1994 - March 1996, Student & Transition Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. March 1996 - January 1997, Student, F-16 Replacement Training Unit, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. January 1997 - January 1998, F-16 Pilot, Electronic Combat Pilot, 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea
4. January 1998 - January 1999, F-16 Flight Lead, Electronic Combat Pilot, 522nd Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
5. January 1999 - January 2000 - F-16 Instructor Pilot, Assistant Chief of Wing Scheduling, 27th Operations Support Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
6. January 2000 - August 2000, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Chief of Squadron Standardization/ Evaluation & Flight Examiner, 522nd Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, N.M.
7. August 2000 - January 2001, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
8. January 2001 - June 2001, Student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. June 2001 - June 2003, Chief of Squadron Weapons and Tactics, 18th Fighter Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
10. June 2003 - March 2004, F-16 Flight Commander, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
11. March 2004 - January 2005, Chief of F-16 Projects, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
12. January 2005 - August 2006, Assistant Director of Operations, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
13. August 2007 - June 2008, Chief, F-16 Weapons and Tactics, United States Air Forces in Europe and USAFE Flight Examiner, Ramstein AB, Germany
14. June 2008 - January 2010, Chief, Weapons and Tactics Branch, Chief, F-16 Weapons and Tactics, United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany
15. January 2010 - July 2011, Commander, 353rd Combat Training Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
16. July 2011 - June 2012, Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
17. June 2012 - August 2013, Iraq Country Team Chief, Deputy Directorate for the Middle East (J-5), Pentagon, Va.
18. August 2013 - July 2014, Deputy Division Chief, Arabian Peninsula, Deputy Directorate for the Middle East (J-5), Pentagon, Va.
19. July 2014 - June 2015, Instructor, Faculty, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
20. June 2015 - Present, Commander, 354th Operations Group, Eielson AFB, Alaska
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 2,300 hours, including 175 combat hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16C+, F-16CG, F-16CJ, F-16CM
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
Aerial Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2009 11th Air Force Verne Orr Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 1, 1994
First Lieutenant June 1, 1996
Captain June 1, 1998
Major July 1, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel June 1, 2008
Colonel September 1, 2014
(Current as of June 2015)