Colonel Matthew W. MacFarlane currently serves as the Deputy Commander, 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. In this role, he assists the wing commander in directing the operations of two C-130J Super Hercules airlift squadrons and a tactical airlift control flight, providing worldwide combat delivery, disaster relief, and humanitarian airlift capability.
Col MacFarlane received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Auburn University, Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Following Undergraduate Pilot Training, he was assigned to the 61st Airlift Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, deploying
multiple times in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron, wing, and headquarters levels, including command of the 29th Weapons Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, where he led a $7.6 million flying hour program and oversaw the graduation of 31 Weapons Officers and 13 Advanced Instructors.
Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Division Chief for Joint Operational War Plans within the Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate (J5) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As an aviator, Col MacFarlane is an Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot, accumulating over 3,000 hours, including 1,000 combat hours across 207 combat missions.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Auburn University, Ala.
2010 Squadron Officers School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Ala.
2011 Master of Science, Aeronautical Science Technology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona, Fla.
2014 Air Command and Staff College (by correspondence), Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master of Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Bethesda City, Md
2020 Air War College (by correspondence), Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Distinguished Graduate, Eisenhower School, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2004–February 2005, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Phase I & II, Moody Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia.
2. February 2005–September 2005, Student, Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Phase III, Laughlin AFB, Texas.
3. September 2005–June 2010, Squadron Executive Officer, Officer Scheduler, Duty Officer, Aircraft Commander 61st Airlift Squadron,
Little Rock AFB, Arkansas.
4. June 2010–December 2013, Chief of Wing Tactics, Group Executive Officer, Instructor Pilot, 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein Air Base
(AB), Germany.
5. December 2013–August 2016, Assistant Director of Operations, Chief of Integration, Weapons Officer Cadre, 29th Weapons Squadron,
Little Rock AFB, Arkansas.
6. August 2016–July 2017, Graduate Student, National Intelligence University, Bethesda City, Maryland.
7. July 2017–April 2018, Chief of Operational Analysis Division, Executive Officer to the Commander, 618th Air Operations Center (TACC), Scott AFB, Illinois.
8. June 2019–June 2021, Commander, 29th Weapons Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas.
9. June 2021–July 2023, Deputy Commander, 86th Operations Group, Ramstein AB, Germany.
10. July 2023-July2024, Graduate Student, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
11. July 2024-July 2026, Political/Military Planner, Division Chief, Joint Operational War Plans, Joint Chiefs of Staff/J5, The Pentagon, Washington D.C.
12. July 2026 – Present, Deputy Commander, 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2024 – July 2026, Joint Operational War Plan Division, Joint Chiefs of Staff, J5 Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, The Pentagon, Washington D.C., as a Colonel.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: 3,305 including 1040 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-6B, T-1A, C-130E/H, and C-130J
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 14, 2004
First Lieutenant June 2, 2006
Captain June 2, 2008
Major October 1, 2014
Lieutenant Colonel April 1, 2019
Colonel May 1, 2025
(Current as of July 2026)