Col Brian “Stitch” Novchich is the Commander, 4th Operations Group, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. In this role, he is responsible for organizing, training, equipping, and deploying 94 F-15E aircraft and nearly 1900 officer, enlisted, and civilian personnel in support of combat operations worldwide. In addition, Col Novchich manages the production of over 96 new F-15E pilots and Weapon Systems Officers per year in Air Combat Command’s largest Formal Training Unit
Col Novchich is a Command Pilot with more than 2,500 F-15E flight hours, including 900 combat hours over four tours in Southwest Asia. He was commissioned in May 2003 from the US Air Force Academy, and attended pilot training in Georgia and Texas before earning his F-15E qualification in 2006. Col Novchich is also a graduate of USAF Weapons School, has earned Master’s Degrees in Aeronautical Science and Military Operational Art and Science, and graduated the National Defense Fellowship Strategic Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to this position, Col Novchich served three years at the Headquarters Air Force A8 Plans and Programs, developing and budgeting for the future fighter force.
EDUCATION
2003 BS, Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2014 MS, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida
2015 MS, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
ASSIGNMENTS
May 2003 – July 2004, student, T-6A Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, Georgia.
July 2004 – August 2005, student, T-38 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas.
August 2005 – July 2006, student, F-15E Basic Course, 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
July 2006 – January 2010, Duty Scheduler and Instructor Pilot, 492nd Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
January 2010 – June 2010, student, F-15E Weapons School, 17th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada.
July 2010 – July 2012, Chief of Weapons and Tactics and Flight Commander, 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
July 2012 – July 2014, Assistant Director of Operations, 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
February 2013 – February 2014, Chief of Master Air Attack Planning Cell, Combat Plans Division, 609th Combined Air Operations Center, Al-Udeid AB, Qatar
July 2014 – June 2015, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
June 2015 – June 2017, Deputy Division Chief and Advanced Sensors Program Element Monitor, SAF/AQL, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
July 2017 – April 2018, Director of Operations, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
April 2018 – Jan 2019, Director of Staff, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
Jan 2019 – May 2020, Commander, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
June 2020 – May 2021, National Defense Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
June 2021 – June 2024, Combat Air Forces Division Chief, HAF/A8 Plans & Programs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
July 2024 – Present, Commander, 4th Operations Group, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 2800
Combat Hours: 905
Aircraft Flown: F-15E, T-38A/C, T-6A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Combat Action Medal
Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, 2009
Distinguished Graduate and Academic Award, USAF Weapons School, 2010
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 28 May 2003
First Lieutenant 28 May 2005
Captain 25 May 2007
Major 01 Jun 2013
Lt Col 01 Dec 2016
Col 01 May 2022
(Current as of August 2024)