Col. Brett C. Schumer is deputy commander, 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He assists the commander in leading over 1,300 Air Force reservists operating, maintaining and supporting eight C-130H Hercules aircraft used globally for medium range airlift, tactical airland and airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and Modular Airborne Firefighting System missions.
Col. Schumer earned his commission upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1998. He transitioned from active-duty Air Force to the Air Force Reserve in December of 2008 and began working in numerous roles throughout the 731st Airlift Squadron and the 302nd Operational Support Squadron at Peterson SFB. He was the 302nd Operations Group deputy commander, assistant chief pilot and chief of wing tactics. Prior to his current assignment, the colonel was the deputy director of operations and readiness, 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
Col. Schumer is a command pilot with more than 3,650 hours in T-37, T-44, F-15, F-16, B-52, C-130E, C-130H, and C-130H3 aircraft. Prior to his Air Force Reserve career, he was stationed at the 29th Weapons Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, where he held the roles of chief pilot, evaluator and chief of academics.
Col. Schumer was awarded the Top Flyer award upon graduation from the Weapons Instructor Course in December 2005 and has flown combat missions in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel as well as in military exercises around the world.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Social Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Master of Aeronautical and Aviation Science and Technology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1994–June 1998, Cadet, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2. June 1998–May 1999, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
3. June 1999–January 2000, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas
4. January 2000–July 2000, C-130 Initial Qualification Course, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
5. July 2000–July 2003, C-130 Pilot, 517th Airlift Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
6. July 2003–April 2006, C-130 Instructor Pilot, 50th Airlift Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
7. April 2006–December 2008, C-130 Weapons Instructor Cadre, 29th Weapons Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
8. December 2008–May 2017, Chief of Wing Tactics/Assistant Chief Pilot, 731 AS, Peterson SFB, Colo.
9. June 2017 – April 2019, Deputy Commander, 302 OG, Peterson SFB, Colo.
10. April 2019 – June 2022, Commander, 302 OSS, Peterson SFB, Colo.
11. July 2022 – July 2023, Deputy Director of Operations, 22 AF A3/5, Dobbins ARB, Georgia
12. August 2023 - Present, Deputy Commander, 302 AW, Peterson SFB, Colo.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 3,650
Aircraft Flown: T-3, T-37, T-44, C-130E, C-130H, C-130H3, C-130J, F-16DJ, B-52H
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with one service star
(Current as of August 2023)