Col Brian “Stitch” Novchich is the Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. As the commander, he is responsible for the organization, training, and deployment of one of the largest fighter wings in the United States Air Force, consisting of nearly 7,000 Airmen and Civilians. The 4th Fighter Wing is home to 93 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to two operational and two training fighter squadrons, flying more than 12,000 sorties and 20,000 hours per year. The 4th Fighter Wing partners with and provides overall host support for the 916th Air Refueling Wing and its KC-46 fleet.
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 his current position, Col Novchich served as the Operations Group Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelors of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2009 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2014 MS, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fla.
2015 MS, Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
May 2003 – July 2004, student, T-6A Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, Ga.
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, N.C.
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, Nev.
July 2010 – July 2012, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Flight Commander, 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
July 2012 – July 2014, Assistant Director of Operations, 334th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
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, Ala.
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, N.C.
April 2018 – Jan 2019, Director of Staff, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
Jan 2019 – May 2020, Commander, 335th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
June 2020 – May 2021, National Defense Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
June 2021 – June 2024, Combat Air Forces Division Chief, HAF/A8 Plans & Programs, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
July 2024 – May 2026, Commander, 4th Operations Group, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
June 2026 - Present, Commander, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 3100
Combat Hours: 905
Aircraft Flown: F-15E, T-38A/B, T-6A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
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 five 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 May 28, 2003
First Lieutenant May 28, 2005
Captain May 25, 2007
Major June 01, 2013
Lieutenant Colonel December 01, 2016
Colonel May 01, 2022
Current as of August 2026