Col. Sean Renbarger is deputy commander of the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. As the deputy commander, he assists the wing commander in organizing, training, and equipping the largest operational F-16 wing in the Air National Guard while maintaining a 2,400-acre federal military installation and providing 24/7 Air Sovereignty for the Southeast United States. Additionally, he supervisors and coordinates activities of the wing special staff.
Col. Renbarger received his commission as a graduate of Purdue University AFROTC program in 2001. He has served as an F-16 pilot, instructor pilot, flight examiner, weapons officer, operational test pilot, and instructor at the USAF Fighter Weapons School. He has also served in a variety of positions at the squadron, group, and wing levels. Prior to his current duties, Col. Renbarger served as commander of the 169th Operations Support Squadron, McEntire JNGB, South Carolina. Col. Renbarger joined the 169th Fighter Wing in 2017, after serving 12 years on Active duty and 4 years as an Active Guard Reserve in the Air Force Reserves.
Col. Renbarger has deployed and served all over the world in different roles highlighted by his deployment in support of Operation INHERANT RESOLVE flying 36 combat missions and 182 combat flight hours.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 USAF Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB. Nev.
2013 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
2022 Air War College, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2001 – March 2002, Executive Officer, 8th Operations Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
2. March 2002 – April 2003, Student Pilot, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
3. April 2003 – June 2004, F-16C Student Pilot, 63rd Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. June 2004 – November 2006, F-16C/D Fighter Pilot, 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, ROK
5. November 2006 – October 2008, F-16C/D Flight Commander, 79th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.
6. October 2008 – December 2009, F-16 Operational Test and Evaluation Pilot, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
7. December 2009 – May 2011, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. May 2011 – July 2012, C Flight Commander, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. July 2012 – September 2013, Assistant Director of Operations, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
10. September 2013 – November 2015, Wing Weapons Officer, 482d Operations Group, Shaw AFB, S.C.
11. November 2015 – Jun 2017, Chief 20th FW Advanced Programs, 482d Operations Group, Shaw AFB, S.C.
12. June 2017 – January 2020, Chief of Wing Safety, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C.
13. January 2020 – January 2021, Wing Weapons Officer, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
14. January 2021 – June 2022, Director of Operations, 169th Operational Support Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
15. June 2022 – October 2023, Commander, 169th Operational Support Squadron, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
16. October 2023 – Present, Deputy Commander, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire JNGB, S.C.
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: Over 2200, including 182 combat hours
Aircraft flown: F-16 Blocks 30/40/42/50/52, T-37, T-38, AT-38
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one service star
Korean Defense Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2001 Distinguished Graduate, Purdue University AFROTC
2003 Distinguished Graduate, Undergraduate Pilot Training
2003 AETC Commander’s Trophy as Top Graduate, Undergraduate Pilot Training
2003 Flying Training Award, Undergraduate Pilot Training
2004 Academic Award, F-16 RTU
2009 Flying Training Award, F-16 Weapons Instructor Class 09B, USAF Weapons School
2009 Distinguished Graduate, F-16 Weapons Instructor Class 09B, USAF Weapons School
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 30, 2001
First Lieutenant May 30, 2003
Captain May 20, 2005
Major July 01, 2011
Lieutenant Colonel September 13, 2016
Colonel October 31, 2023
(Current as of October 2023)