Colonel Wayne Dirkes is the Commander at 704th Test Group, Holloman AFB, New Mexico. He is responsible for flight and ground testing of advanced air capabilities for lethality, speed, survivability, and stealth. These include avionics and weapon systems flight tests, inertial navigation and Global Positioning System tests, high speed test track operations, as well as landing gear, survivability, directed energy, and radar cross-section tests for joint weapon systems. In addition, his group is the liaison for all Air Force test programs on the White Sands Missile Range. The group operates C-12 and T-38 aircraft and over $1.7B worth of sophisticated, world-unique test assets.
The colonel entered the Air Force in June 2001 through ROTC from Norwich University and is a graduate of the US Naval Test Pilot School. Colonel Dirkes has held a variety of positions related to HH-60G Combat Search and Rescue, program management, professional military education, and flight test. Prior to his current position, he served as the Commandant of Air University’s Global College of Professional Military Education, developing and delivering distance learning education to 35,000 joint and interagency officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel.
Colonel Dirkes is a command pilot with over 2,270 flight hours in 25 different aircraft. He has deployed five times in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, flying 300 combat hours in the HH-60G. In addition, he flew rescue missions into New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. He has over 180 career “saves” from personnel recovery missions in combat and civil environments.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Norwich University, Vt.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (Distinguished Graduate)
2012 Master of Science, Technology and Project Management, University of Maryland University College
2015 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2001—May 2002, Awaiting Pilot Training, 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nev.
2. May 2002—March 2004, Student Pilot, Columbus AFB, Miss., Fort Rucker, Ala., and Kirtland AFB, N.M.
3. March 2004—July 2006, HH-60G Pilot, 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV (September 2004 – December 2004, September 2006 – January 2007, April 2007 – July 2007, HH-60G Pilot, 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq)
5. September 2007—November 2008, HH-60G Flight Lead/Instructor Pilot, 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Ga. (March 2008 – June 2008, HH-60G Pilot, 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Balad AB, Iraq
6. June 2009 – September 2009, HH-60G Pilot, 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Kandahar AB, Afghanistan
7. December 2009—December 2010, Student Test Pilot, US Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md.
8. December 2010—February 2012, CV-22 Student Pilot, 71st Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
9. February 2012—July 2014, Assistant Operations Officer, 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
10. July 2014—June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 2015—August 2016, Chief, Test and Evaluation Management Branch, AFMC/A3F, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
12. August 2016—August 2018, Chief, Combat Rescue Helo, Training Systems Branch, AFLCMC/WIH, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
13. August 2018—June 2020, Operations Officer, 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
14. June 2020—June 2022, Commander, 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
15. June 2022—May 2023, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
16. June 2023—July 2024, Commandant, Global College of Professional Military Education, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
17. July 2024—Present, Commander, 704th Test Group, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,270, including 300 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37B, UH-1H/N/V, HH-60G/W, C-12C/D/J, UH-60L, UH-72A, T-38, NSH-60B, MD-500E & 520N & 530F, Learjet, T-6, CH-46, OH-58C, X-26A, SA-365N, AS-350, FA-18E, M/CV-22
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2002 Distinguished Graduate, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
2003 Distinguished Graduate, HH-60G Mission Qualification Course
2011 Distinguished Graduate, CV-22 Mission Qualification Course
2009 Order of Daedalians Exceptional Pilot Award (USAF winner)
2020 General Larry O. Spencer Innovation Award (Air Force Test Center nominee)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 30, 2005
Major June 1, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2016
Colonel December 1, 2022
(Current as of July 2024)