Tony D. Bauernfeind (born 3 November 1969) is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who served as the 22nd superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. He most recently served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2022 to 2024. He served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2020 to 2022; as vice commander, Bauernfeind was responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing actions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the services and other government agencies in the national capital region on behalf of the commander of United States Special Operations Command. He previously served as Special Operations Command's chief of staff and as commander of Special Operations Command Korea.
In June 2022, Bauernfeind was selected as commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command. In May 2024, he was nominated for assignment as superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. He began this assignment on 2 August 2024, until 7 August 2026.
Awards and decorations
US Air Force Command Pilot BadgeUnited States Special Operations Command BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clustersDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Medal with oak leaf clusterAerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clustersJoint Service Achievement MedalAir Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clustersJoint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clustersAir Force Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device, one silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersCombat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clustersAir Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf clusterNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starAfghanistan Campaign Medal with two service starsIraq Campaign Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalAir and Space Campaign MedalAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service RibbonAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and two oak leaf clustersAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service starAir Force Training RibbonNATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia
Effective dates of promotions + Rank Date Second lieutenant29 May 1991 First lieutenant29 May 1993 Captain29 May 1995 Major1 March 2002 Lieutenant colonel1 March 2006 Colonel1 October 2009 Brigadier general2 August 2015 Major general1 August 2018 Lieutenant general31 July 2020
References