6 facts about our top O-6

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Team Aviano recently welcomed the new 31st Fighter Wing vice commander, Col. Bryan Wolford. As second in charge, he is the primary liaison between group commanders and the 31 FW commander, Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin. He also considers himself as a "pretty approachable person."

The 31 FW Public Affairs office sat down with him and gathered six facts Aviano Airmen didn't know about their top O-6:     

1) This is the second time he has been stationed at Aviano and the first time was his favorite assignment.

"I was stationed here once before in 2009 and Aviano was definitely the 'dream' assignment. The tour was cut short due to an opportunity to be a squadron commander at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, but I was still attached to the base. I had a chance to fly with both the 510th and 555th Fighter Squadrons from 2010 to 2012. My family and I consider this our 'Aviano part 2' where we have the opportunity to advance the wing mission through the outstanding work of the 31st Medical, Mission Support, Maintenance and Operations Groups.

"During my first Aviano assignment, I re-qualified in the F-16 Fighting Falcon after being out of the cockpit five years with service at Air Combat Command, Capitol Hill, and then the Pentagon. I enjoyed supporting Air Force priorities in Washington, D.C. and we were also able to grow our family, welcoming our first two children. When we were selected to return to fly, I felt like I had won a golden ticket, and Aviano was always number one on my list. Our youngest child was born at the Area 1 Hospital in April 2010, and that ended our era of family growth."

2) He attributes his decision to join the AF to his father and the movie "Top Gun."


"My father was an officer in the Army Reserves, and I always loved seeing him put on his uniform for weekend duty and summer training. From early on, I knew I was also going to serve. When it came to deciding what branch to serve in, my father encouraged me to look at all of the services. He told me the Air Force was the best at teaching technical skills and providing a high quality of life for its Airmen. At the impressionable age of 14, I saw the movie 'Top Gun' with some of my friends and it focused my future college search to either the Naval or Air Force Academy. I applied to both academies, but my main focus later in high school was on the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo."

3) He encourages leaders to follow Gen. Welsh's message on "knowing your Airmen's story."


"I will always make time to learn about our Airmen and to hear how they contribute to the mission at their level. If I can connect them to Aviano in 3-D-Deter, Defend, Develop--they will know how their individual actions and teamwork impacts the overall mission.  This realization is powerful, and in my experience, it will improve their overall performance.

"I am always impressed when commanders or supervisors can tell me about their Airmen and highlight their individual stories and demonstrate their connection on a personal level."

4) He dedicates his AF success to his family and faith.


"I have been blessed to serve with my family and when approached, I am always ready to talk about them. We have younger children and my wife and I love connecting with other families."

"Whether it's soccer, ballet or vacation bible school we love to stay involved with our children, and Aviano's Youth Program and the Child Development Center are doing a great job helping us with our transition."  

5) He considers professional development as "an opening to the world."


"In my opinion, an associate's or bachelor's degree is about learning about the world. When you attend school, you have the opportunity to take classes that cover multiple topics, which opens your mind to learning a broad array of skillsets. Along the way you are making connections with others who are also interested in learning and who are sharing their experiences to help you see the world differently. Then, when you choose to focus on a specialty and earn a master's degree, you are focusing on your world."

6) He abides by the Chuck Swindoll quote, "Attitude is everything," throughout his life and career. 


"Throughout my career, I have enjoyed being an Airman and have appreciated all of the opportunities the military has afforded me and my family. Whether it was cross-training from the Air Force Academy for a semester at the Naval Academy, flying in the F-14 Tomcat, piloting the F-16 Fighting Falcon or walking with my family to get gelato, I have always followed the words of Chuck Swindoll with a smiling face:  'I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent of how I react to it, and so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.'  Simply put, attitude is everything!"  

To learn even more about Col. Wolford, click here. Also, when you see him around, be sure to welcome him to Aviano.