Col Bronder is currently serving as the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Fixed Wing Programs, HQ Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).  He is responsible for developing, producing, testing, modifying, fielding and supporting Special Operations Forces (SOF)-unique fixed wing aircraft and sub-systems.  This diverse, $2 billion annual portfolio includes over 100 programs and projects, furnishing SOF-unique aviation capabilities such as the AC-130 and MC-130 variants, OA-1K, MQ-1C, MQ-9, CV-22, U-28, MC-12, C-145, C-146 and an array of remotely piloted vehicles and precision guided munitions.  

A 2003 Air Force Academy distinguished graduate, Justin earned the Holaday Scholarship and completed a Doctorate in Astrophysics at Oxford University before serving at the Air Force Research Laboratory. He then qualified as a flight test engineer, graduating the USAF Test Pilot School with distinction in 2011, and served at the 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL, leading test programs on the CV-22 and several C-130 variants.  After selection as an Olmsted Scholar in 2013, Lt Col Bronder spent two years in Poland, where he earned a Doctorate in Military History at Adam Mickiewicz University.  Returning to the U.S., he worked as a deputy program manager for the UH-1N replacement program before being selected as a Materiel Leader for the Nuclear Treaty Monitoring Systems Division at the Air Force Technical Applications Center, FL.  He is also a distinguished graduate and Traeger Award winner from National War College and deployed in 2008 in support of U.S. Special Operations Command.  He most recently served as a Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S) and as a Deputy Division Chief for Strategic Deterrence and Capabilities in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Strategic, Space and Intelligence Portfolio Management.  

Education

2003 – Distinguished Graduate, Bachelor of Science, Physics, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.  

2006 – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Astrophysics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

2011 – Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School

2014 – Doctor of Philosophy, Military History, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland

2021 – Distinguished Graduate, National War College

Assignments

1. September 2003 – October 2006, Student, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

2.  October 2006 – December 2008, Research Physicist, High-Power Solid State Lasers Branch,  U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM  

3.  January 2009 – May 2020, Deputy Branch Chief, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Advanced Electric Lasers Branch, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, USA  

4.  May 2010 – June 2011, Student, Flight Test Engineer Course, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, CA

5.  June 2011 – December 2012, Rotary Wing Flight Test Engineer, 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL

6.  January 2013 – July 2013, Flight Commander, Fixed Wing Mobility Flight, 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL

7.  August 2013 – August 2014, Student / Olmsted Scholar, Polish Language Course, Foreign Service Institute, Department of State, Arlington VA

8.  August 2014 – July 2016, Student / Olmsted Scholar, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland

9.  July 2016 – June 2018, Deputy Program Manager, UH-1N Replacement Program, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

10.  June 2018 – June 2020, Materiel Leader, Nuclear Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, FL

11.  July 2020 – June 2021, Student, Student, National War College, National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington, DC

12.  June 2021 – June 2022, Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Arlington, VA

13.  June 2022 – Present, Division Chief, Air Force Strategic Systems, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Strategic, Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Portfolio Management, Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Flight Experience (Flight Test Engineer – Non-rated Officer Aircrew)

Total flying hours:  249.1   Total number of sorties:  129

Total flying hours in selected aircraft:

• CV-22:            109.7
• HC/MC-130-J: 30.6
• T-38 A/B/C:    26.4
• M/H-60 K/L:   12.4
• F-16 D:            7.5
• H/U-16:           7.2
• MC-130H:       6.3  
• KC-135R:        6.2
• U-28:              3.9
• JAS-39D:       1.5 (Swedish Air Force)

Major Awards and Decorations

• Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (3 devices)

• Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal

• Air Force Commendation Medal   

• Joint Service Achievement Medal  

• Air Force Achievement Medal

• Iraq Campaign Medal (1 device)