Landon Chandler

Commissioned in June 2005 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Clemson University, Major Chandler began his career as a Combat Systems Officer (CSO), specializing as an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO). After completing Navigator/EWO training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, he was assigned to the AC-130H Gunship platform. From 2007 to 2013, he served with the 16th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and later at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, where he flew multiple combat deployments in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. As a Senior CSO, he logged over 2,300 flight hours, including combat missions in high-threat environments.

In 2013, Major Chandler was selected as a Lead Instructor and Evaluator at the newly established CSO Training School, 451st Flying Training Squadron, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida. There, he trained and mentored over 100 CSO candidates on the T-1A aircraft, shaping the next generation of Air Force aviators. From 2016 to 2020, he served as Chief of Special Operations Forces Assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, managing career development and assignments for over 2,000 special operations personnel.

In 2020, Major Chandler transitioned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he served as Chief of Rated Manning for United States Air Forces in Europe, optimizing aircrew readiness across the theater. Since March 2023, he excelled as the Command Executive Officer for the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, overseeing operations and coordination for a wing supporting global contingency missions.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2005 – February 2006, Awaiting Training, Charleston AFB, SC
2. February 2006 – April 2007, Student, Navigator/EWO Training, Randolph AFB, TX
3. April 2007 – December 2009, AC-130H EWO, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL
4. December 2009 – March 2013, AC-130H Instructor/Evaluator EWO, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM
5. March 2013 – January 2017, Instructor/Evaluator CSO, 451st Flying Training Squadron, Pensacola NAS, FL
6. January 2017 – January 2020, Chief, Special Operations Forces Assignments, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, TX
7. January 2020 – March 2023, Chief, Rated Manning, United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany
8. March 2023 – Present, Executive Officer to the Commander, 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany

FLIGHT INFORMATION
• Rating: Senior Combat Systems Officer
• Flight Hours: Over 2,300, including combat missions
• Aircraft Flown: AC-130H, T-1A

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
• Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
• Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters
• Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
• Air Force Combat Action Medal

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
• Second Lieutenant: 1 June 2005
• First Lieutenant: 1 June 2007
• Captain: 1 June 2009
• Major: 1 April 2016

(Current as of June 2025)