MAJOR GENERAL PETER J. BYRNE
Retired September 18, 2019
Maj. Gen. Peter J. Byrne was the Mobilization Assistant to the Combatant Commander, United States North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, where he advised on all policies and programs relating to the Reserve Forces. He assisted the Commander to organize, equip, and operate air defense forces for North America, including the three distinct mission sets: Aerospace Warning, Aerospace Control, and Maritime Warning. Additionally, he served as a NORAD and NORTHCOM Assessor, executing delegated duties assigned by the Commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM, in response to homeland activities.
Prior to assuming his current assignment, General Byrne was the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and First Air Force (Air Force Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
General Byrne received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduation from the University of Cincinnati in 1984. While on active duty, he served as an A-7D and F-16C Fighter Pilot and as an Air Liaison Officer with the United States Army. He joined the Colorado Air National Guard in November 1991 as a traditional guardsman. General Byrne's duties have included Squadron Scheduler, Wing "Top Gun" Officer, Assistant Flight Commander, Flight Commander, 120th Fighter Squadron Commander and Vice Commander, 140th Wing. As Director of Joint Staff, Colorado National Guard, General Byrne was activated three times as the Dual Status Commander for Colorado's disasters. He is a command pilot with over 2,500 military flying hours, including 1,800 hours in the F-16, and more than 145 combat hours flown enforcing the no fly zones over Northern Iraq and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
EDUCATION
1984 Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
2006 Air War College, non-residence
2010 Contingency Dual Status Command program, in residence
2010 Joint Task Force Commanders Course (NORTHCOM), in residence
2013 Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21), University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2014 Air Force Safety and Accident Board President Course, in residence
2014 George C. Marshall Center, Senior Executive Seminar, Garmisch, Germany
2014 Joint Senior Leaders Course Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense and Response, in residence
2014 National Security Studies Management Course (NSSMC), Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
2014 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2015 CAPSTONE, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
2016 Combined Force Air Component Commander's Course (CFACC), in residence
2016 General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2017 Advanced Senior Leader Development Program-Strategic Engagement Seminar (ASLDP-SES), Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2018 Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course (JFOWC), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1984 - November 1985, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
2. November 1985 - April 1986, Student, AT-38B Basic Lead-In Training Course, 479th Tactical Training Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
3. April 1986 - October 1986, Student, Air National Guard Basic Operational Training Course, 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Tucson International Airport, Arizona
4. October 1986 - October 1988, Pilot, A-7D, 67th Combat Support Group, Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colorado
5. November 1988 - March 1990, Pilot, F-16, 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kunsan Air Base, Korea
6. March 1990 - October 1991, Air Liaison Officer, Detachment 5, 602nd Tactical Air Control Wing, Fort Ord, California
7. October 1991 - December 1998, Pilot, F-16, 120th Fighter Squadron, Buckley Air National Guard Base, Colorado
8. December 1998 - June 2001, Assistant Flight Commander, 120th Fighter Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
9. June 2001 - October 2004, Flight Commander, 120th Fighter Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
10. October 2004 - October 2006, Commander, 120th Fighter Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
11. October 2006 - May 2007, Special Project Officer, 120th Fighter Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
12. May 2007 - May 2010, Vice Wing Commander, 140th Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
13. May 2010 - July 2016, Director of Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Colorado National Guard, Centennial, Colorado
14. August 2016 - August 2018, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, First Air Force , Tyndall AFB, FL
15. August 2018 - August 2019, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, NORAD, Peterson AFB, CO
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,500
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, A-7, F-16/C/D
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Recognition Ribbon (2006 Kolligian Trophy)
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass and M Device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFLIATIONS
National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of Colorado
Ohio Pharmacist Association
Allied Pilots Association
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 12, 1984
First Lieutenant Sept. 12, 1986
Captain Sept. 12, 1988
Major Oct. 1, 1997
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. 3, 2001
Colonel Sept. 28, 2007
Brigadier General April 1, 2013
Major General Aug. 1, 2016
(Current as of September 2019)
