Randell Yi
Fields of Study: International Relations, Comparative Politics
Areas of Interest: Security Cooperation, Foreign Military Assistance, Military Strategy
Lieutenant Colonel Randell Yi is a 2021 graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies who is currently pursuing a doctorate in Political Science at the University of Notre Dame.
A 2007 graduate of Lewis University, Lt Col Yi commissioned through Illinois Institute of Technology AFROTC Detachment 195. After completing Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, OK, Lt Col Yi served as an MQ-1B Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot at Creech AFB, NV, flying over 850 hours of combat support for Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM, UNIFIED PROTECTOR, and JUNIPER SHIELD.
Prior to his developmental education assignments, Lt Col Yi served as an Operational Test & Evaluation Program Manager, leading tactics development and evaluation efforts for the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft community. Also, as Assistant Director of Operations and lead C2ISR Air Advisor to the Iraqi Air Force in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, Lt Col Yi coordinated the advising efforts of 11 officers and developed enterprise-accepted combat tactics, techniques, and procedures for use against ISIS by Iraqi Airmen and conducted extensive personal education of Iraqi Air Operations Center staff and senior Ministry of Defense leaders.
EDUCATION
2007 BS - Aviation/Flight Management, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
2007 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL
2010 Joint Firepower Course (Distinguished Graduate), Nellis AFB, NV
2013 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2014 MA - Military Studies (With Honors), American Military University, Charles Town, WV
2020 MA - Military Operational Art and Science (Distinguished Graduate), Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
2021 MPhil - Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL
2023 MA – University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 2007 – Sep 2008, Executive Officer, 344th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell AFB, KS
2. Sep 2008 – Jan 2010, Student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, OK
3. Jan 2010 – Jul 2010, Student, MQ-1B Initial Qualification Training, 432d Wing, Creech AFB, NV
4. Jul 2010 – Aug 2012, MQ-1B Instructor Pilot, 18th Reconnaissance Squadron, Creech AFB, NV
(Jun 2011 – Oct 2011, Safety Officer, 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Tallil AB, Iraq)
5. Aug 2012 – Oct 2013, Assistant Flight Commander, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
6. Oct 2013 – Dec 2014, Inspector General Staff; Wing Self-Assessment Program Manager, 49th Wing, Holloman AFB, NM
7. Dec 2014 – May 2015, Flight Commander, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
8. May 2015 – Jun 2016, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, Holloman AFB, NM
9. Jun 2016 – Jul 2017, Executive Officer, 556 Test and Evaluation Squadron, Creech AFB, NV
(Apr 2017 – Oct 2017, Air Advisor & Assistant Director of Operations for C2ISR, 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, Iraq)
10. Jul 2017 – Jul 2019, Project Manager, Detachment 4, 53d Test Management Group, Creech AFB, NV
11. Jul 2019 – Jun 2020, Student, 21st Student Squadron, Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
12. Jul 2020 – Jun 2021, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL
13. Aug 2021 – Present, Faculty Development PhD Student, University of Notre Dame, IN
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Flight hours: 1,600+
Aircraft flown: T-6, T-1, MQ-1B, MQ-9A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 star
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with 1 star
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air & Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service Ribbon with 2 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Special Duty Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 12, 2007
First Lieutenant May 30, 2009
Captain May 30, 2011
Major May 30, 2017
Lieutenant Colonel December 1, 2021
(Current as of June 2023)