Col. David “Ghost” Deptula is the commander of the 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Deptula received his commission from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Saint Louis University, Detachment 207, in December 2003. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School and is a command pilot with more than 2,150 hours in the F-22A and F-15C. He has command and operational experience in the
USINDOPACOM, EUCOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility, including Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Noble Eagle.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Mo.
2011 Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2012 Masters of Business Administration, Trident University, Cypress, Calif.
2012 Graduate, United States Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2016 Distance Learning Graduate, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Government Affairs, Legislative Studies, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
2022 Masters of National Security Strategy, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 2004 – June 2005, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. October 2005 – December 2005, Student, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Moody AFB, Ga.
3. January 2006 – September 2006, Student, F-15C Training, 1st Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
4. September 2006 – October 2008, F-15C Flight Lead & Scheduler, 67th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
5. October 2008 – January 2009, Student, F-22A Training, 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
6. January 2009 – January 2013, F-22A Instructor pilot and Flight Commander, 94th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.
7. July 2012 – December 2012, Student, USAF Fighter Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
8. January 2013 – August 2014, Weapons Officer and Chief Instructor, 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
9. August 2014 – June 2015, Chief, Wing Weapons and Tactics, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
10. September 2014 – April 2015, Weapons Officer, 95th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, CENTCOM
11. June 2015 – January 2017, Air Force Legislative Fellow, United States Senate, Washington D.C.
12. March 2017 – August 2018, Director of Operations, 525th Fighter Squadron, JBER, Alaska
13. September 2018 – April 2019, Chief of Safety, 3rd Wing, JBER, Alaska
14. June 2019 – May 2021, Commander, 525th Fighter Squadron, JBER, Alaska
15. June 2021 – June 2022, Student, National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
16. June 2022 – June 2024, Chief, Force Application Division, Joint Staff J8, Pentagon, Va.
17. June 2024 – June 2026, Commander, 18th Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan
18. July 2026 – Present, Commander, 3rd Wing, JBER, Alaska
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: 2,150
Combat Hours: 132
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, F-15C/D, F-22A, KC-135R/T, E-3G, HH-60W
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Ariel Achievement Medal
Air & Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air & Space Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air & Space Outstanding Unit Award
Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Jan 2004
First Lieutenant Jan 2006
Captain Jan 2008
Major Jan 2014
Lieutenant Colonel Nov 2017
Colonel April 2023
(Current as of April 2025)