Col. Tyler Awakuni is the commander, 369th Recruiting Squadron, Encino, California. He leads approximately 95 personnel comprising of six enlisted accession flights and two Military Entrance Processing Stations. The squadron is responsible for the recruitment of Airmen and Guardians across 1.8 million square miles covering six counties in California and the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. The squadron’s mission is to inspire, engage and recruit the brightest, most competitive, and diverse men and women for the Department of the Air Force.
Lt. Col. Awakuni entered the Air Force in September 2008 through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program after graduating from Oregon State University. He completed Fundamentals of Acquisition Management in November 2011. His assignments include numerous leadership positions to include Flight Commander, Test Chief, Branch Chief, and Executive Officer to Commander, Pacific Air Forces.
Prior to his current position, Lt. Col. Awakuni was the Deputy Division Chief, Acquisition Execution Oversight & Integration at the Pentagon, Virginia.
EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore. 2009 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Master of Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude), Trident University International, Cypress, Calif. 2021 Air Command and Staff College (Non-Residence)
ASSIGNMENTS
- September 2008 – July 2010, Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, Infrastructure Project Officer, Vandenberg AFB Calif.
- July 2010 – April 2011, Delta IV Launch Vehicle Engineer, Vandenberg, AFB, Calif.
- August 2011 – May 2015, Flight Commander, Test & Evaluation, JBSA Randolph Texas
- May 2015 – January 2017, Test Chief, Cyber Weapon System, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
- January 2017 – July 2017, Presidential National Voice Conferencing Lead Test Engineer, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
- July 2017 – April 2018, Enterprise Test Lead, Advanced Technology, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
- April 2018 – May 2019, Program Manager, Advanced Technology, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
- May 2019 – June 2021, Branch Chief, Future Requirements, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii
- June 2021 – June 2022, Executive Officer to Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii
- June 2022 – July 2023, Lead ISR and SOF Portfolio Analyst, the Pentagon, Virginia
- July 2023 – May 2024, Deputy Division Chief, Acquisition Execution Oversight & Integration, the Pentagon, Virginia
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVMENTS
2018 Air Force Materiel Command Special Programs Military Information Technology Professional of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, July 27, 2008
First Lieutenant, July 27, 2010
Captain, July 27, 2012
Major, May 1, 2018
Lieutenant Colonel, February 1, 2023
(Current as of June 2024)