Lt. Col. John F. Day is the commander of the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Illinois. He is responsible for leading the Airmen of the Tactical Air Control Party weapons system in integrating airpower into the Joint Force and enabling air component commanders’ objectives by providing critical command and control nodes to the theater air control system.
Lt. Col. Day entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of Louisville in May 2009 and completed Tactical Air Control Party Officer training in July 2010. He has served in multiple positions at the squadron, group and wing levels, as well as a formal training instructor at the Multi-National Air Ground Integration School in Poland.
Lt. Col. Day has extensive combat experience in both conventional and special operations, deploying in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and New Normal. Prior to his current position, the lieutenant colonel was the wing executive officer for the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois.
EDUCATION
2009 Bachelor of General Studies, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany
2010 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2015 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2017 Masters of Business Administration, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va.
2023 Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2009 – July 2010, Tactical Air Control Party Officer Student, Det. 3, 342nd Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2. July 2010 – January 2013, Assistant Flight Commander, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, N.C.
3. January 2013 – November 2013, Flight Commander, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, N.C.
4. November 2013 – February 2015, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Riley, Kan.
5. February 2015 – July 2015, Chief of Scheduling, 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Riley, Kan.
6. July 2015 – July 2016, Executive Officer, 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Riley, Kan.
7. July 2016 – March 2018, Assistant Director of Operations, 168th Air Support Operations Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
8. March 2018 – October 2021, Director of Operations, 182nd Air Support Operations Group, Peoria, Ill.
9. October 2021 – October 2023, Lead Instructor, Multi-National Air Ground Integration School, Dęblin, Poland
10. November 2023 – January 2025, Wing Executive Officer, 182nd Airlift Wing, Peoria, Ill.
11. January 2025 – Present, Commander, 169th Air Support Operations Squadron, Peoria, Ill.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with “C” device and four oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Polish Army Medal (Silver)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2010 Distinguished Graduate, Air and Space Basic Course, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2015 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Guard Association of Illinois (lifetime member)
National Guard Association of the United States (lifetime member)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 13, 2009
First Lieutenant June 13, 2011
Captain June 13, 2013
Major May 29, 2018
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 28, 2023
(Current as of February 2025)