After graduating from pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, in 1978, he attended F-4E upgrade training at Homestead AFB, Florida. From there he was assigned to the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn Air Base, Germany. While at Hahn in 1982, he was selected to transition to the F-16A.

Following his assignment in Germany, Lt Col Ryder attended the USAF Fighter Weapons School, and then was assigned to the 58th Tactical Training Wing, Luke AFB, Arizona. While there he served as Flight Commander, Weapons Officer, and Wing Stan/Eval flight examiner.

Lt Col Ryder was selected for the TAC Inspection General Team, Langley AFB, Virginia, in 1987, where he remained until 1990. From there he departed to attend Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Upon completing the year as a distinguished graduate, he was selected to remain on the faculty as a curriculum developer and instructor in the conventional warfare branch.

In 1993, he was reassigned to the 86th Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany as the Operations Officer, 512th Fighter Squadron. He departed Ramstein in July 1994 to join the "Buzzards" where he served as the Operations Officer until March 1996, when he assumed command as "Buzzard One". He participated in Operations DENY FLIGHT, DELIBERATE FORCE, DECISIVE EDGE, DELIBERATE GUARD, and SILVER WAKE. He is a command pilot with over 2600 flying hours, including 200 combat hours.

Lt Col Ryder is married to the former Vickie Jo English of Metropolis, Illinois.

EDUCATION:
1977 Bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, United States Air Force Academy
1989 Master of acronautical science degree, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
1991 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

ASSIGNMENTS:
1973 - 1977, student, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
1977 - 1978, student, undergraduate pilot training, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
1978 - 1979, student, F-4E upgrade training, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
1979 - 1984, pilot, instructor pilot, chief of weapons and tactics, Hahn Air Base, Germany
1984 - 1987, instructor pilot, flight commander, weapons officer, wing flight examiner, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
1987 - 1990, TAC Inspector General Team, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
1990 - 1993, student, curriculum developer and instructor, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
1993 - 1994, operations officer, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
July 1994 - present, operations officer and commander, 510 Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy

FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,100 hours in the F-16.
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, F-4E, and F-16

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Service Medal
NATO Medal.

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant 1 June 77
First Lieutenant 1 June 79
Captain 1 Jun 81
Major 1 June 88
Lieutenant Colonel 1 June 93

(Current as of April 1997)