Colonel FRED E. GARCIA II

Col. Fred E. Garcia II is the Director, Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, and Commander, Detachment 4, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York. The Information Directorate is the Department of Air Force’s leading research organization for command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) and cyber (+1) technologies. The Information Directorate’s mission is to explore, prototype and demonstrate high-impact, game-changing technologies that enable the Department of Air Force, Space Force, Partner Services and Nation to maintain its superior technical advantage. Col. Garcia leads the Information Directorate by providing strategic and technical guidance to more than 1,216 military, civilians, and on-site contractors to develop and deliver C4I and cyber technologies and oversees the directorate’s annual budget of over 1.6 billion dollars.

Col. Garcia is a native of Colorado and received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1997. He served in a variety of assignments and officer career fields, including science and engineering, management and assignments, strategic communications and operations, nuclear detonation detection and weapons effects, operations analysis, satellite and seismic nuclear alert, mechanical engineering design and production, acquisitions program management including logistics and engineering, and Deputy Director, Nuclear Technology and Integration Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. Col. Garcia commanded AFTAC Det 452 in Wonju ROK, AFROTC Det 510 at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, and for a brief period, commanded the 341st Mission Support Group at Malmstrom AFB Montana. Col. Garcia assumed command of AFRL’s Information Directorate in March 2021.

EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Engineering Physics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2001 Master of Science, Nuclear Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 Space 200 Course, U.S. Air Force Space Operations School, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2008 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Space 300 Course, U.S. Air Force Space Operations School, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2011 Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, Joint and Combined Warfighting School, Norfolk, Va.
2012 Intermediate Developmental Education, Strategic Policy Fellowship, Washington D.C.
2013 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Senior Developmental Education, US Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I.

ASSIGNMENTS
  1. February 1998–February 1999, Acquisitions Logistics Officer, Aero Systems Center, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
  2. February 1999–August 1999, Lead Mechanical Countermeasures Engineer, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
  3. August 1999–March 2001, Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
  4. March 2001–March 2004, Nuclear Effects Analyst, United States Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
  5. March 2004–May 2007, United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System Operational Assessment Branch Chief and Satellite Alert Officer, Patrick AFB, Fla.
  6. May 2007–May 2008, Strategic Communications Analyst, Multi National Forces-Iraq, International Zone, US Embassy, Baghdad, Iraq
  7. August 2008–June 2009, Commander, USAF Seismic Det 452 and Wonju Air Station, Wonju, Republic of Korea
  8. June 2009–August 2011, Chief of Scientist Officer Assignments, Randolph AFB, Texas
  9. August 2011–June 2012, IDE Student, Air Force Fellows Program, Strategic Policy Fellow, Washington, D.C.
  10. July 2012–June 2014, Deputy Division Chief, Acquisition Force Development, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition (SAF/AQ), the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
  11. June 2014–May 2016, Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 510, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.
  12. May 2016–July 2018, Deputy Group Commander and Commander, 341st Mission Support Group, 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.
  13. July 2018–July 2019, SDE Student, US Naval War College, Naval Station Newport, R.I.
  14. July 2019–April 2021, Deputy Director, Nuclear Technology and Integration, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
  15. Oct 2020–March 2021, Chief of Staff, Directed Energy, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland, N.M.
  16. March 2021–Present, Director, Information Directorate, and Commander, Detachment 4, Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, N.Y.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leave clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CERTIFICATIONS
Level III, Program Management
Level III, Scientist and Technology Manager
Level III, Engineering
Level I, Test and Evaluation
Level I, Logistics

ACHIEVEMENTS / DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Jan. 10, 1998
First Lieutenant Jan. 10, 2000
Captain Jan. 10, 2002
Major July 1, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Dec. 1, 2012
Colonel April 1, 2019

(Current as of May 2023)