Quick Facts
Aquarius
Biography
Tony D. Bauernfeind (born February 14, 1969) is a United States Air Force lieutenant general who has served as the 22nd superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy since August 2, 2024. He most recently served as the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2022 to 2024. He served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2020 to 2022; as vice commander, Bauernfeind was responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing actions with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the services and other government agencies in the national capital region on behalf of the commander of United States Special Operations Command. He previously served as Special Operations Command's chief of staff and as commander of Special Operations Command Korea.
In June 2022, Bauernfeind was selected as commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command. In May 2024, he was nominated for assignment as superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. He began this assignment on August 2, 2024.
Awards and decorations
 | US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
| United States Special Operations Command Badge | |
| Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge |
| Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster | |
| Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster | |
| Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters | |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal | |
| Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters | |
| Air Medal with oak leaf cluster | |
| Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster | |
| Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters | |
| Joint Service Achievement Medal | |
| Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters | |
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters | |
| Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters | |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device, one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters | |
| Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters | |
| Air Force Recognition Ribbon with oak leaf cluster | |
| National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | |
| Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars | |
| Iraq Campaign Medal with service star | |
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | |
| Korea Defense Service Medal | |
| Humanitarian Service Medal | |
| Air and Space Campaign Medal | |
| Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon | |
 | Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and two oak leaf clusters |
| Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters | |
| Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star | |
| Air Force Training Ribbon | |
| NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia |
Effective dates of promotions
| Rank | Date |
|---|---|
| Second lieutenant | May 29, 1991 |
| First lieutenant | May 29, 1993 |
| Captain | May 29, 1995 |
| Major | March 1, 2002 |
| Lieutenant colonel | March 1, 2006 |
| Colonel | October 1, 2009 |
| Brigadier general | August 2, 2015 |
| Major general | August 1, 2018 |
| Lieutenant general | July 31, 2020 |
