Lieutenant Colonel R. Justin Reynolds is the
Commander of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps’
(AFROTC) Detachment 305 and Professor of Aerospace
Studies, Louisiana Tech University. In that capacity he is
responsible for training and developing cadets to
commission as Air Force or Space Force officers who
are ready to lead Airmen or Guardians to meet our
Nation's security challenges.
As a graduate of Officer Training School at Maxwell Air
Force Base (AFB), Lt Col Reynolds entered the Air Force
in 2005 after earning his bachelor’s in biology from the
University of Louisiana at Monroe, and a masters in
biology from Louisiana Tech University. He has held
numerous positions at the Detachment, Squadron, Wing,
and Major Command levels. Lt Col Reynolds previously
served as Commander, 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron,
Hill AFB, Utah.
Lt Col Reynolds is a Master Navigator (Weapons System
Officer) with more than 1,500 flight hours in the F-15E
and F-15EX. He has served in various operational
assignments, deployments, and staff positions across the
NORTHCOM, EUCOM, USINDOPACOM, and
CENTCOM areas of responsibility in support of
Operations NOBLE EAGLE and ENDURING FREEDOM.
EDUCATION
- 2001 Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, La.
- 2002 Master of Science, Biology, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, La.
- 2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2018 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- June 2005 – March 2007, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
- March 2007 – August 2008, Student F-15E Formal Training Unit, 333rd Fighter Squadron,
Seymour Johnson AFB,
N.C. - August 2008 – November 2011, F-15E Instructor Weapon Systems Officer, Chief of Combat Plans, 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
- November 2011 – March 2015, F-15E Instructor Weapons Systems Officer, Chief of Scheduling and Flight Commander, 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
- March 2015 – July 2018, F-15E Evaluator Weapon Systems Officer, Chief of Wing Inspections,
4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
July 2018 – April 2021, Targeting Effects Team Chief, Chief of Strategic Guidance, 613th Air Operations Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - April 2021 – May 2023, Director of Operations, 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
- May 2023 – June 2025, Commander, 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
- June 2025 – Present, Commander, AFROTC Detachment 305, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston Louisiana
FLIGHT INFORMATION
- Rating: Master Navigator
- Flight Hours: more than 1,700
- Aircraft flown: F-15E, F-15EX, F-15QA, T-6, T-1, T-39, T-38C
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Air and Space Commendation medal with oak leaf cluster
- Meritorious Unit Award with 2 oak leaf clusters
- Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with 5 oak leaf clusters
- Combat Readiness Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
- Second Lieutenant March 18, 2005
- First Lieutenant March 18, 2007
- Captain March 18, 2009
- Major July 1, 2015
- Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 2021
(Current as of July 2025)