Col Ryan P. Mittelstet serves as the Deputy Wing Commander, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, where he assists in leading 2,300 Airmen teaching more than 90 courses to over 16,000 students annually. As part of Air Education and Training Command’s 19th Air Force, the wing executes formal aircrew training, producing mission-qualified aircrews for operational units flying CV-22B, HH-60W, UH-1N, A/H/MC-130J, and MH-139 aircraft; conducts Undergraduate Helicopter Training utilizing the TH-1H at Ft. Novosel, Alabama; and operates the USAF’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School at Fairchild AFB, Washington.
Col Mittelstet is from Arvada, Colorado. He entered the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 and received his commission in 2003. His wife, Misty, is from Farmington, New Mexico and they have two sons, Ben and Nolan.
Col Mittelstet has spent the majority of his career in special operations, flying vertical lift assault aircraft. He has deployed numerous times in support of contingency operations globally. Prior to this assignment, Col Mittelstet was the Sensitive Activities Director for Headquarters United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science in Biology, United States Air Force Academy, CO
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2016 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2017 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2023 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
2023 Master of Strategic Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 03 – Feb 04: Assistant OIC, Operations Management, 6 SOS, Hurlburt Field, FL
2. Feb 04 – Dec 04: Student Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Training Squadron 3, Whiting Field, FL
3. Dec 04 – Jun 06: Student Helicopter Pilot, 23d Flight Training Squadron, Fort Rucker, AL
4. Jun 06 – Jan 07: Student Pilot, MH-53 Aircraft Commander’s Course, 551 SOS, Kirtland AFB, NM
5. Jan 07 – Aug 09: Executive Officer/MH-53M Aircraft Commander, 20 SOS, Hurlburt Field, FL
7. Aug 09 – May 11: Chief of Tactics, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
8. May 11 – May 12: Group Tactics Officer/Instructor Pilot, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
9. May 12 – Feb 14: Flight Commander/Evaluator Pilot, 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
10. Feb 14 – Jul 14: Chief, CV-22 Branch, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, FL
11. Jul 14 – Jul 16: Assistant Operations Officer/CV-22 Evaluator Pilot, 20 SOS, Cannon AFB, NM
12. Jul 16 – Jul 17: Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
13. Jul 17 – Jan 19: Assistant Operations Officer/CV-22 Evaluator Pilot, 7 SOS, RAF Mildenhall, UK
14. Jan 19– Jan 20: Operations Officer, 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, UK
15. Jan 20 – May 21: Commander, 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, UK
16. Jun 21 – Jun 22: Leadership Development Course Instructor, Maxwell AFB, AL
17. Jun 22 – Jun 23: Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
18. Jul 23 – Jul 26: Sensitive Activities Director, HQUSSOCOM, MacDill AFB, FL
19. Jul 26 – Present: Deputy Commander, 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, NM
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2023 Year – July 2026, Sensitive Activities Director, HQUSSOCOM, MacDill AFB, FL, as a Colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,900; including more than 550 combat hours
Aircraft flown: CV-22B, MV-22A/B, MH-53J/M, UH-1H, T-34C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with Valor and ten oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal with gold star
2013 Mackay Trophy
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 28 May 2003
First Lieutenant 28 May 2005
Captain 28 May 2007
Major 1 July 2013
Lieutenant Colonel 1 Mar 2018
Colonel 1 Sep 2024
(Current as of July 2026)