Maj. Aaron R. Boyles is the commander of the 182nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, in Peoria, Ill. He is responsible for leading, training and equipping aircraft maintenance personnel supporting aerospace equipment sustainment and operations, fulfilling both the state and federal missions as directed by the appropriate authorities.
Maj. Boyles began his military career in 2002 by enlisting in the Illinois Air National Guard as an electric power production apprentice with the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron while attending Illinois Central College. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2007 with his bachelor’s degree and was selected for commissioning as an aircraft maintenance officer by the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Ill. Upon graduating the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course in 2010, he served as 183rd Maintenance Squadron Centralized Repair Facility officer in charge until returning to the 182nd Airlift Wing in 2011. In 2015, Maj. Boyles deployed as the maintenance squadron commander in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, working hand-in-hand with active duty Air Force and NATO allies of the Polish air force dedicated to training and stability within the region. Maj. Boyles deployed to Afghanistan in 2019 in support of Operation Resolute Support, leading the largest maintenance squadron in U.S. Air Forces Central Command. During his time in this position, he delivered the best mission capability rate seen in Afghanistan to date and was instrumental in executing maintenance tactics, techniques and procedures never before seen in Afghanistan with the implementation of Integrated Combat Turnarounds and executing Agile Combat Employment.
In his full-time civilian occupation, Maj. Boyles is a Global Gears Category Buyer III for a leading heavy construction and mining equipment manufacturing Fortune 50 company. In this role, he is responsible and accountable for the development, communication and implementation of a site, regional or worldwide sourcing strategy. He is responsible for managing policies, agreements, source catalogs and special purchasing programs, and supporting specific product line New Product Introduction programs, supplier shipping, delivery and defects performance for $150 million worth of corporate spend for their machinery and drivetrain components. Prior to his current position, the major served as the commander of the 182nd Maintenance Operation Flight, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
EDUCATION
2003 Electrical Power Production Apprentice course, Air Education and Training Command, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2004 Associate of Applied Science, Business, Illinois Central College, East Peoria
2005 Associate of Applied Science, Mechanical and Electrical Technology, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2006 Airman Leadership School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2007 Bachelors of Arts, Business, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston
2009 Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, AETC, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2010 Master of Science, Management, Argosy University, Schaumburg, Ill.
2016 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 2002–February 2009, Electric Power Production Specialist, 169th Air Support Operations Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
2. February 2009–April 2011, Aircraft Maintenance Officer in Charge, 183rd Maintenance Squadron, Springfield, Ill.
3. April 2011–April 2013, Aircraft Maintenance Officer in Charge, 182nd Maintenance Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
4. April 2013–September 2016, Commander, 182nd Maintenance Operation Flight, Peoria, Ill.
5. September 2016–Present, Commander, 182nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Peoria, Ill. (July 2019–January 2020, Maintenance Operation Officer, 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with “C” device
Air Force Achievement Medal
STATE AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Illinois Long and Honorable Service Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Illinois Attendance Ribbon with “7” device
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Military Officers Association of America
National Guard Association of Illinois (lifetime member)
National Guard Association of the United States
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Feb. 20, 2009
First Lieutenant Feb. 20, 2011
Captain Feb. 20, 2013
Major March 4, 2017
(Current as of March 2020)