Kevin Ryan

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Ryan is a U.S. Army War College Fellow at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was commissioned into the Aviation Branch in 2005.

After completing the AH-64D course at Fort Novosel, Alabama, Lt. Col. Ryan’s first assignment was with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Cavazos, Texas. He served as a scout platoon leader, battalion staff officer, and commander of Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment (Attack). During his time with the 4th Infantry Division, he deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq, and Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, for two yearlong deployments.

Upon completing his second deployment, Ryan served at Fort Novosel, training students in the Aviation Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC B) and Aviation Captains Career Course (AVCCC). He also commanded A Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment. After attending Command and General Staff College, Ryan was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii. He held various positions, including brigade aviation officer in the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, squadron operations officer in the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, and operations officer for the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. He also served as deputy chief of staff for the 25th Infantry Division. After his time with the division, Ryan was appointed aide-de-camp to the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Before his fellowship, Ryan commanded the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (Lighthorse Squadron) in the 3rd Infantry Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade from 2022 to 2024. In 2023, he deployed his squadron task force to Eastern Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Lt. Col. Ryan is a master Army aviator with over 2,000 rotary-wing flight hours, including 1,100 combat hours. He is a pilot-in-command for the AH-64E version 6, AH-64D, and OH-58A/C. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from West Point and a master’s degree in engineering management from Kansas State University. His awards and commendations reflect his years of service.