Colonel David G. Avila is the commander of the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He oversees 2.9 million acres of ranges and 12,000 square miles of airspace that make up the NTTR complex. He is responsible for the planning and oversight of the United States' largest and most sophisticated instrumented battle space for testing and training for U.S. military and coalition air forces. The NTTR supports advanced composite force training, tactics development and electronic combat testing for the Department of Defense. Prior to taking command of the NTTR, Colonel Avila was assigned as the commander 100th Mission Support Group. He led five squadrons and over 1,600 military, civilian, Local Nationals, and Ministry of Defense Personnel providing critical combat support and services to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, partner units, eight geographically separated units and over 16,000 family members and retirees living in the local area.
Colonel Avila received his commission in 1991 after graduating from Fresno State University, California. He served his first five years as a Logistics Readiness Officer followed by selection to attend Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training where he tracked to the F-15E Strike Eagle. Following an operational tour in the F-15E, he volunteered for the MQ-1 Predator in 2001 where he served in various leadership capacities, including deployed squadron commander supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Colonel Avila was also selected to serve as the first RQ-170 squadron commander, our nation’s first low-observable, jet-powered Remotely Piloted Aircraft, where they developed the initial bed down plan and the Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for the cutting-edge combat capability.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Arts Degree, Liberal Studies, Fresno State University, California
1995 Master’s Degree, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2001 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
2005 Air Command and Staff College (correspondence)
2007 Air War College (correspondence)
2009 Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt)
2012 Master’s Degree, National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Mar 1992 – January 1995, Logistics Plans Officer, 92d Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
2. February 1995 – February 1996, Chief, Logistics Plans, 30th Space Wing, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
3. March 1996 – August 1997, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida
4. September 1997 – August 1998, Student, F-15E Strike Eagle, 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina
5. September 1998 – February 2001, F-15E Instructor Weapon Systems Officer, Chief of Scheduling, 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
6. March 2001 – Jun 2001, Student, RQ-1 Predator, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, Indian Springs Auxiliary Airfield, Nevada
7. July 2001 – May 2003, MQ-1 Predator Standardization Evaluation Flight Examiner, Assistant Director of Operations, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, Indian Springs Auxiliary Airfield, Nevada
8. June 2003 – July 2005, Chief, Operations and Interoperability Branch, Secretary of the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, Pentagon, DC
9. August 2005 – July 2007, Commander, 30th Reconnaissance Squadron, Tonopah, Nevada
10. August 2007 – July 2010, Executive Assistant, Vice Director J-8, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, DC
11. August 2010 – July 2011, Deputy Commander, 14th Mission Support Group, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
12. July 2011 – June 2012, Student, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
13. July 2012 – July 2014, Director Operations and Plans, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea
14. July 2014 – June 2016, Commander, 100th Mission Support Group, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England
15. July 2016 – present, Commander, Nevada Test and Training Range, Nellis AFB, Nevada
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Navigator
Hours Flown: More than 1,200
Aircraft Flown: F-15E, MQ-1 Predator
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant October 23, 1991
First Lieutenant October 23, 1993
Captain October 23, 1995
Major August 1, 2002
Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 2007
Colonel May 1, 2013
(Current as of July 2016)