Colonel Antony M. Braun is the Commander of the 225th Air Defense Group, Western Air Defense Sector, Washington Air National Guard, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The 225th ADG is deployed in place to execute the mission of the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS). WADS is one of two North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) air defense sectors in the continental United States. WADS reports directly to 1st Air Force and the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR), both located at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. WADS is responsible for the western United States and supports NORAD’s Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment and the U.S. Northern Command’s homeland defense missions.
Colonel Braun was commissioned through the Officer Training School program at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Prior to assuming his current duties, Colonel Braun served in a variety of operational flying billets in Command and Control aircraft and ground-based air defense. Colonel Braun is a Master Air Battle Manager with more than 1,400 flying hours in the E-3B/C aircraft. He has served in numerous combat, contingency, counter-narcotics, and consequence management operations including Operations NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM. Lieutenant Colonel Braun is also a graduated strategic planner with experience serving in strategic air defense operations as well as civil support operations following numerous national emergencies.
Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Braun served as the 225th Air Defense Squadron Commander, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio.
2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Master of Aeronautical Science in Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2012 United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
2013 Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2019 Air War College (Correspondence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2003 – December 2004, Student, Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training, 325 Air Control Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
2. December 2004 – May 2005, Student, E-3 Initial Qualification Training, 552d Training Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
3. May 2005 – Dec 2008, E-3 Instructor Air Weapons Officer, Chief Weapons and Tactics Combat Plans, 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
4. Dec 2008 – Jun 2010, E-3 Senior Director, Evaluator Air Weapons Officer, Flight Commander, 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
5. Jun 2010 – April 2011, Operations Group Executive Officer, 552d Operations Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
6. April 2011 – June 2012, BCC Instructor Air Weapons Officer, Flight Training Officer, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
7. June 2012 – July 2016, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
8. July 2016 – December 2017, Chief of Requirements and Modernization, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
9. December 2017 – May 2019, Division Chief, Plans, Continental U.S. NORAD Region-First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall AFB, Fla.
10. May 2019 – November 2020, Assistant Executive Officer, Office of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, DC.
11. November 2020 – October 2021, Director of Operations, 225th Air Defense Squadron, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
12. October 2021–August 2023, Commander, 225th Air Defense Squadron, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
13. August 2023-present, Commander, 225th Air Defense Group, Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
May 2019 – November 2020, Office of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, DC.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Air Battle Manager
Flight hours: 1,400
Aircraft flown: E-3B/C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Sept. 19, 2003
First Lieutenant Sept. 19, 2005
Captain Sept. 19, 2007
Major Sept. 28, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel Jan. 31, 2018
Colonel May 26, 2022
(Current as of August 2023)