Col. Ryan C. Stepp serves as the deputy commander of the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. As the wing deputy commander, he assists the wing commander in managing operations and supporting the wing.
Col. Stepp completed a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri, and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Col. Stepp was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tenn. Undergraduate Pilot Training followed soon after with primary at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, and advanced through the Texas at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. After Pilot Initial Qualification, Little Rock AFB, Col. Stepp returned to the 180th Airlift Squadron, to serve as a C-130 Pilot. During this time, he served as the Chief of Plans and Programs, Chief of Current Operations, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Weapons School instructor, 180th Airlift Squadron Director of Operations, 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron Interim Commander, 139th Operations Support Squadron Commander. Prior to his current position, the colonel was the Deputy Commander of the 139th Operations Group, Rosecrans ANGB, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Within the 139th Airlift Wing, Col. Stepp served, from 2000 to present, as a C-130 Pilot, advancing through the years as an instructor, evaluator, and now a Weapons Officer. He is responsible for some of the most noteworthy achievements of the 139 Operation Group, over the last five years. He has been the Mission Commander and Lead Planner for Saber Junction since 2017. He also directed the Wing’s response to the 2017 hurricanes. His focus and skills resulted in the unit being recognized for flying more hours than any other C-130 unit, in support of hurricane operations. For this he was recognized with the unit’s John B Logan award for significant achievement. Col. Stepp is a Command Pilot with over 4000 total hours, and more than 230 combat sorties. During this time, Col. Stepp has served in multiple operations including JOINT FORGE, ALLIED FORCE, PROVIDE PROMISE, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, JOINT ENTERPRISE, CORONET OAK, ALLIES WELCOME, SILVER ARROW, and ATLANTIC RESOLVE.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Management, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo
2000 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas
2002 Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Mo
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell, AFB, Ala, by correspondence
2014 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala, by correspondence
2015 USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev
2020 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1998–December 2005, Mobility Pilot, 180th Airlift Squadron, Rosecrans Air National Guard, Mo
2. December 2005–October 2009, Instructor Pilot, 180th AS, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
3. October 2009–December 2013, Wing Plans and Programs, 139th Airlift Wing, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
4. December 2013–January 2015, Chief of Current Operations 139th Operations Support Squadron, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
5. January 2015–June 2015, Student, USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev
6. June 2015–January 2016, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 139th OSS, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
7. January 2016–June 2017, Director of Operations, 180th Airlift Squadron, Interim Commander 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
8. June 2017–August 2018, Commander, 139th OSS, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
9. April 2019–April 2020, Advanced Threat Maneuvers Phase Manager/Instructor, C130H WIC, 29th Weapons Squadron, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
10. April 2020–March 2023, Deputy Commander, 139th Operations Group, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
11. March 2023–January 2025, Vice Commandant, Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
12. January 2025-Present, Deputy Commander, 139th Airlift Wing, Rosecrans ANG, Mo
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 4000 +
Aircraft flown: T-37, TC-12, C-130H Hercules
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal (3 devices)
Air Medal (4 devices)
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
John B. Logan Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant February 26, 1999
First Lieutenant February 26, 2001
Captain February 26, 2003
Major November 7, 2008
Lieutenant Colonel November 7, 2015
Colonel March 10, 2023