Colonel Timothy A. Turner is the Deputy Commander, 37th Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. As the Deputy Commander, he advises and assists the Commander in leading the largest, most diverse training wing in the Air Force known as the “Gateway to the Air Force.” The 37 TRW provides foundational training and education to develop mission ready Airmen, Guardians and sister service members; strengthens and sustains U.S. and international partnerships through English language and special skills training for allied forces; and is the Department of Wars executive agent for the Military Working Dog program. The wing is comprised of the 737th Training Group, which generates nearly 93% of the Air Force enlisted force and 100% of the Space Force enlisted force in Basic Military Training; the 37th Training Group which provides technical training in 24 different career fields; the Inter-American Air Forces Academy that promotes security cooperation principles through the delivery of professional military education and technical training in Spanish; and the 637th Training Group, known as the Defense Language Institute English Language Center, which provides English language training and cultural immersion for more than 3,500 international military students annually.
Col. Turner is from McComb, Mississippi and enlisted in the Air Force in June 1992. After twelve years of enlisted service, he was commissioned through the Air Force Officer Training School in December 2004. He previously commanded at the squadron level and has served in multiple roles leading across Wings, NAF, Agencies, Air and Joint Staffs. He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Resolute Support.
Prior to his current position, Col. Turner served as the Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems (C4) Directorate and Chief Information Officer, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, University of Maryland University College, College Park, Maryland
2005 Basic Computer-Communications Officer Training, Keelser AFB, Mississippi
2005 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2008 Master of Science in Human Resources and Organizational Development, Webster University, Wichita, Kansas
2010 Squadron Officer School (residence and by correspondence), Maxwell AFB. Alabama
2012 Cyberspace 200, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2015 Cyberspace 300, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2018 Master of Science in Military Operational Art/Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2021 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Eisenhower School for National Security/Resource Strategy, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS or CAREER CHRONOLOGY
- 2004 – 2007, Mission Systems Deputy Flight Commander, OIC, Network Operations, 22d Communications Squadron, McConnell AFB, Kansas
- 2007 – 2008, Executive Officer, 22d Mission Support Group, McConnell AFB, Kansas
- 2008 – 2011, Deputy Chief, Deployment Branch, Chief, Logistics and Maintenance, and Chief Data Center Management, WCONUS Regional DIA, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- 2011 – 2013, Cyber Operations Flight Commander and Squadron Operation Officer, 375 Communications Squadron, Scott AFB, Illinois
- 2013 – 2015, Executive Officer to the 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander and Chief, 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander’s Action Group, Scott AFB, Illinois
- 2015 – 2016, Special Actions Officer to the Eighteenth Air Force Commander, Scott AFB, Illinois
- 2016 – 2018, Air University Fellow, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 2018 – 2020, Commander, 82d Communications Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
- 2020 – 2021, Chief, Cyber Officer Talent Management, Headquarters U.S. Air Force (AF A2/6), the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
- 2021 – 2022, Student, Eisenhower School for National Security/Resource Strategy, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- 2022 – 2024, Student, Eisenhower School for National Security/Resource Strategy, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
- 2024 – 2025, Operations, Plans and Exercises Branch Chief, Directorate of Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber, (J6) Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia
- 2025 – 2026, Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems (C4) Directorate and Chief Information Officer (J6), U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland
- 2026 – Present, Deputy Commander, 37th Training Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal with an oak leaf clusters Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, 17 December 2004
First Lieutenant, 17 December 2006
Captain, 17 December 2008
Major, 1 April 2015
Lieutenant Colonel, 1 August 2019
Colonel, 1 June 2025
(Current as of July 2026)