Colonel Travis Board

Colonel Travis M. Board is the Vice Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command’s 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.  The wing reports to the 4th Air Force at March ARB, Calif., and supports Air Mobility Command’s worldwide airlift mission. The 439th AW operates eight C-5M “Super Galaxy” aircraft.  Colonel Board assists the Wing Commander in training and equipping more than 3,000 personnel, including civilians, ARTs, and traditional reservists.  He was detailed to this position in June 2020 and permanently assigned in April 2021.

    Colonel Board was commissioned a second lieutenant through Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Ala. in 2000. He earned his pilot wings at Columbus AFB, Miss., in 2001 and went on to complete C-5 Pilot Initial Qualification that same year. As a reservist, Colonel Board has been mobilized numerous times and has served on voluntary extended active orders to support Air Force and Air Force Reserve global operations. He has piloted and commanded missions supporting Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Resolute Support, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve in addition to many counter-drug missions, presidential support missions, UN Peacekeeping Missions, Special Assignment Airlift Missions, humanitarian missions, training missions, and operations supporting joint and foreign partners.

In his civilian capacity, Colonel Board is a pilot with a major airline where he flies the Embraer 190. He is also active in several civic organizations.

Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Board served as Commander, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass. Colonel Board is a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flight time in the C-5.  He is an instructor aircraft commander with nearly 200 combat and combat support sorties.

EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.
2000 Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2001 Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Air University, correspondence program
2013 Explosives and Explosives Effects Course (Live Fire), Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Contingency Wartime Planning Course, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2021 Maintenance Course for Operational Commanders, Sheppard AFB, TX.
2021 Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager Training Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Director of Mobility Forces Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2022 Reserve Components National Security Course, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2023 Safety & Accident Investigation Board President Course (BPC), Maxwell AFB, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS
October 1999-January 2000 Officer Trainee, Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
March 2000-April 2001 Pilot Trainee, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Miss.
July 2001-September 2001 C-5 Pilot Initial Qualification Course, Altus AFB, Okla.
September 2001-June 2005 C-5 Pilot, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
July 2005-February 2015 C-5 Aircraft Commander, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
April 2011-March 2017 E Flight Commander, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
March 2017-July 2017 Wing Plans Officer, 439th Operations Support Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
February 2015-present C-5 Instructor/Aircraft Commander, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
July 2017-June 2019 Commander, 439th Operations Support Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
June 2019-April 2021 Commander, 337th Airlift Squadron, Westover ARB, Mass.
April 2021-present Vice/Deputy Commander, 439th Airlift Wing, Westover ARB, Mass. (January 2023-April 2023 served as Commander, 439th Airlift Wing)

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Total Flight hours: 5,600
Combat hours: More than 850
Aircraft flown: C-5 A/B/M, T-1A, T-37B, E-190

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with ten oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Service Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with six service stars
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with five service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border/seven oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two Hour Glass Devices and two 'M' Devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Air and Space Training Ribbon

ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Reserve Organization of America (ROA)-Life Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)-Life Member, American Legion

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant January 14, 2000
First Lieutenant January 14, 2002
Captain January 14, 2004
Major June 15, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel September 19, 2016
Colonel April 12, 2021

(Current as of Sep 2023)