Colonel Brian J. Taylor is the Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. He leads more than 10,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel, in accomplishing the 96th Test Wing’s missions of developmental testing and evaluation of conventional munitions, command and control systems, aircraft avionics and guidance systems, and radar cross section measurement. The 96th Test Wing has eight groups and 32 squadrons, operates 38 uniquely modified test aircraft, and manages 120,000 square miles of over-water test ranges plus facilities in six states. He also directs all base operating support, infrastructure, and services support for the Air Force’s largest installation at 726 square miles. The 96th Test Wing hosts nine tenant wings and wing equivalent units—to include the 33d Fighter Wing (F-35 Joint Strike Fighter), 53rd Wing (Operational Test), 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Center—and 37 other associate units including the U.S. Army 6th Ranger Training Battalion and the 20th Space Surveillance Squadron. As deputy commander, he interacts with local officials across a three-county, 11-city region with an annual military economic impact of $10.8 billion.
Col Taylor earned his commission in May 2003 from the United States Air Force Academy. He later served as an Experimental Flight Test Combat Systems Officer at Eglin AFB conducting flight test on Special Operations C-130s. He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Assured Delivery, Allied Force, and Inherent Resolve
Col Taylor has more than 3,100 flight hours in over 34 aircraft to include the C-130E/H and the AC-130J/W.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Air University
2009 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Air University
2013 Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering, Air University (USAF TPS)
2014 Air Command and Staff College, correspondence
2019 Air War College, correspondence
2024 Joint and Combined Warfighting School, National Defense University, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
August 2003 – September 2005, Airborne Laser Operations Engineer, Edwards AFB, Calif.
September 2005 – October 2006, student, undergraduate CSO training, Randolph AFB, Texas
November 2006 - May 2007, student, C-130 Primary Flight Training, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
May 2007 - December 2009, C-130E Instructor Navigator, Current Operations Chief, Ramstein AB, Germany
December 2009 - May 2012, C-130H Instructor Navigator, Ass’t Chief Wing Tactics, Peterson AFB, Colo.
May 2012 - June 2013, student, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif.
June 2013 - February 2014, student, AC-130W Primary Flight Training, Cannon AFB, N.M.
February 2014 – February 2016, AC-130 developmental test CSO, Assistant Director of Operations, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
February 2016 - September 2018, AC-130 developmental test CSO, Deputy Director, C-130 CTF, Eglin AFB, Fla.
September 2018 – April 2019, Commander, 96th Operations Group, Detachment 1, Eglin AFB, Fla.
April 2019 – May 2021, Commander, 417th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
July 2021 – July 2024, Chief, Fixed Wing Assessments, USSOCOM J8, MacDill AFB, Fla.
July 2024 – May 2025, Chief, Flight Operations & Stan/Eval Division, AFMC, Eglin AFB, Fla.
June 2025 – present, Deputy Commander, 96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Combat Systems Officer
Flight Hours: More than 3,100 hours
Aircraft Flown: 34 aircraft including C-130E/H and AC-130J/W
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force’s Mark Welsh “One Air Force” Award (HAF)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant: 28 May 2003
First Lieutenant: 28 May 2005
Captain: 28 May 2007
Major: 1 June 2013
Lieutenant Colonel: 1 March 2018
Colonel: 1 August 2024
(Current as of June 2025)