Col. Stewart J. Parker is the Commander, 353d Special Operations Wing, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. The wing provides U.S. Indo-Pacific Command with combat-ready Air Force Special Operations forces, operating from Kadena and Yokota Air Bases. The wing employs Special Tactics Teams, MC-130J Commando II, and CV-22B Osprey aircraft.
Col. Parker received his commission in 2002 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a career Special Tactics Officer and is qualified as a jumpmaster, combat diver, and joint terminal attack control instructor. He served as Air Force Special Operations Command’s subject matter expert on fire support. He advised senior leaders on tactics, techniques and procedures applied in terminal control operations, implemented multiple technological innovations, and oversaw U.S. Special Operations Command’s fire support training program. Prior to his current position, Col. Parker served as the Deputy Commander for Sustainment, 492d Special Operations Wing located at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Science, US Air Force Academy, Colo.
2003 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Master of Business Administration, Trident University, Calif.
2015 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Joint and Combined Warfighter Course, National Defense University, Norfolk, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2002 - December 2004, Student, Combat Control Training Pipeline, various locations
2. December 2004 - August 2008, Flight Commander and Assistant Director of Operations, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.
3. August 2008 - May 2009, Deputy Director, Air-to-Ground Integration Branch, Operations Directorate, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
4. June 2009 - August 2010, Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
5. August 2010 - April 2012, Director, Special Tactics Assessments, 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
6. May 2012 - July 2014, Director of Operations, 23d Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
7. July 2014 - June 2015, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
8. June 2015 - June 2017, Commander, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Airfield, N.C.
9. June 2017 - July 2019, Action Officer, Deputy Director for Special Operations, Joint Staff, Washington D.C.
10. August 2019 - June 2020, Senior Military Fellow, Center for a New American Security, Washington D.C.
11. June 2020 - August 2021, Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
12. August 2021 - July 2022, Deputy Commander, 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
13. August 2022 - August 2023, Vice Commander, 492d Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
14. August 2023 - August 2024, Commander, Joint Task Force
15. August 2024 - June 2025, Deputy Commander for Sustainment, 492d Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
16. June 2025 - Present, Commander, 353d Special Operations Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2017 - July 2019, Action Officer, Deputy Director for Special Operations, Joint Staff, Washington D.C.
2. August 2023 - August 2024, Commander, Joint Task Force
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star with Valor Device and one Oak Leaf Cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer of the Year
2007 U.S. Air Force Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, Junior Officer Category
2008 U.S. Air Force Special Operations Company Grade Officer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 2002
First Lieutenant May 2004
Captain May 2006
Major May 2012
Lieutenant Colonel Jan 2016
Colonel May 2021
(Current as of June 2025)