Colonel John D. Caldwell is the Wing Commander of the 187th Fighter Wing, Dannelly Field, Ala. As wing commander, he oversees the operations of over 1,500 personnel and the F-35A Lightning II in support of the State of Alabama and the federal government. The wing also provides support to three geographically separated units that include the 226th Combat Communications group, 232d Combat Communications Squadron, and 280th Special Operations Communications Squadron.
Colonel Caldwell graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2002 with a Bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering and completed Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training Program in 2003. Prior to his role at United States Indo-Pacific Command, Colonel Caldwell served as the Vice Commander 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. He previously commanded the USAF Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Additionally, he was the Commander of the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida.
Colonel Caldwell’s operational experience includes Operations NOBLE EAGLE, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM. He is a command pilot with over 3,600 flying hours in the F-16, T-38, and T-37.
Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Caldwell was the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander of USINDOPACOM. USINDOPACOM included more than 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen and Department of Defense civilians and is responsible for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific, covering 36 nations, 14 time zones, and 60 percent of the world's population.
EDUCATION
2002 bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, USAF Academy, Distinguished Graduate, Top Design Award
2007 Squadron Officer School, Distinguished Graduate
2009 United States Air Force Weapons School
2013 Master of Science degree in Aerospace Science & Technology, Embry Riddle University
2014 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2015 Master of Science degree in Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School, Distinguished Graduate, Outstanding Thesis Award, Outstanding Air Force Student
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. August 2002 - October 2002, Operations Scheduler, 27th Fighter Squadron Langley AFB, Va.
2. October 2002 – November 2003, Student Pilot, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. November 2003 – January 2004, Student Pilot, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Sheppard AFB, Texas
4. January 2004 – February 2005, Student Pilot, F-16 RTU, 308th FS, Luke AFB, Ariz.
5. February 2005 – August 2007, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation/Instructor Pilot, 524th FS, Cannon AFB, N.M
6. September 2007 – June 2009, Instructor Pilot/Flight Commander, 61st FS, Luke AFB, Ariz.
7. June 2009 – December 2009, Student Pilot, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. January 2010 – December 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 555 FS, Aviano AB, Italy
9. Jan 2012 – Jun 2014, F-16 Division Commander & Weapons Officer, 85 TES, Eglin AFB, Fla.
10. Jun 2014 – Dec 2015, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif.
11. May 2016 – Jun 2017, Director of Operations, 85 TES, Eglin AFB, Fla.
12. Jun 2017 – Aug 2018, Commander, 28 TES, Eglin AFB, Fla.
13. Aug 2018 – May 2022, Thunderbird #1, Commander/Leader, Air Demonstration Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
14. May 2022 – May 2023, Deputy Commander, 8th FW, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
15. May 2023 – September 2025, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander USINDOPACOM, Camp Smith, Hawaii
16. September 2025- Current. Wing Commander, 187th Fighter Wing, Dannelly Field, Ala.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Total Flight Hours: More than 3,600
Combat Hours: 667
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, F-16, F-35A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 2002
First Lieutenant May 2004
Captain May 2006
Major Feb 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Jan 2016
Colonel Mar 2021
(Current as of December 2025)