Colonel Michael S. Mullin is the Commander, 49th Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The wing serves as the primary F-16 and MQ-9 training schoolhouse for the United States Air Force, training more than 130 F-16 pilots and 500 MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators annually. Additionally, the wing provides support to more than 20,000 military and civilian personnel to include the 635th Materiel Maintenance Group (Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources) and the 704th Test Group.
Col Mullin graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2000 and earned his commission from Officer Training School in 2002. He earned his pilot wings at Vance AFB, OK in April 2005. He is a command pilot with over 4,000 hours in the F-16, T-38 and MQ-9. He has flown the F-16 operationally in PACAF, USAFE, and ACC; including combat missions flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Noble Eagle.
Prior to his current assignment, Col Mullin was the Deputy Wing Commander, Eielson Air Force Base, AK. He is married to the former Shari Hilscher and they have a son Scott and a daughter Sydney.
EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
2003 Aerospace Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2013 Masters of Military Science, Air University, Montgomery, AL 2017 Air War College, by correspondence
2022 Air War College, Combat Air Force Fellow, Langley AFB, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
- September 2002 – January 2004, OIC, Reenlistments and Promotions, 89th Mission Support Squadron, Andrews AFB, MD
- February 2004 – December 2005, Student Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK
- January 2006 – October 2006, F-16 Student Pilot, 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ
- October 2006 – June 2009, F-16 4-ship Flight Lead, Programmer, and Weapons and Tactics Maintenance Liaison, 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, SC
- July 2009 – September 2010, F-16 Instructor Pilot, Wing Electronic Combat Pilot, Flight Commander, 8th Operational Support Squadron, 35th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, ROK
- October 2010 – October 2013, MQ-9 Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, Creech AFB, NV
- October 2013 – December 2016, F-16 Evaluator Pilot, Assistant Director of Operations, 555th Fighter Squadron; Chief of Standardization and Evaluations, 31st Operations Group, Aviano AB, IT
- December 2016 – December 2017, Director of Operations, 80th Fighter Squadron; Kunsan AB, RoK
- January 2018 – April 2019, Director of Operations, 314th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
- May 2019 – May 2021, Commander, 314th Fighter Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
- June 2021 – June 2022, Combat Air Force Fellow, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
- July 2022 – Feb 2023, Branch Chief, A-S Weapons, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
- March 2023 - May 2023, Division Chief, Advanced Weapons, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
- May 2023 - June 2024, Director, CAF SAPMO/Chief, Advanced Programs, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA
- July 2024 – June 2026, Deputy Commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB, AK
- June 2026 – Present, Commander, 49th Wing, Holloman AFB, NM
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,000, including 580 combat hours in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Resolute Support
Aircraft flown: F-16, T-38, T-37, MQ-9
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with nine oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with three devices Air Force Outstanding Unit with one device Air Force Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one device Iraq Campaign Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal with one device
Nuclear Deterrence Operation Service Medal with one device Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters AF Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant – September 27, 2002
First Lieutenant – September 27, 2004
Captain – September 27, 2006
Major – October 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel – July 1, 2017
Colonel - July 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2026)