Brig. Gen. Travolis A. Simmons is the Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. The directorate, encompassing eight divisions and the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation, is responsible for policy, guidance and oversight of Air Force operational training infrastructure, officer and enlisted operations career field management, operational readiness and reporting, and aircrew management.
Brig. Gen. Simmons holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama and received his commission through ROTC as a Distinguished Graduate in 1997. He earned his pilot wings at Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Brig. Gen. Simmons has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. Additionally, he also held multiple joint, combined and Air Force staff positions.
Prior to his current assignment, Brig. Gen. Simmons served as Deputy Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
Brig. Gen. Simmons is a command pilot with more than 2,100 flying hours and qualifications in the F-16C/D, F-117A, and F-22A.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
2004 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle University, Fla.
2010 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Science, Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Master of Science, National Resource Strategy, The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2019 Executive Education - Driving Government Performance, Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Boston, Mass.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1998–June 1998, Special Assistant to the Commander, Samford University ROTC, Birmingham, Ala.
2. June 1998–December 1999, Student, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
3. January 2000–August 2000, Student, F-16C Initial Qualification Training, Luke AFB, Ariz.
4. September 2000–September 2001, F-16CG Pilot and Squadron Scheduler, Osan Air Base, South Korea
5. September 2001–May 2004, F-16C Instructor Pilot and Chief of Training, Dannelly Field, Ala.
6. May 2004–August 2004, Student, F-117A Initial Qualification Training, Holloman AFB, N.M.
7. August 2004–May 2007, F-117A Flight Examiner, T-38A Pilot, Flight Commander, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Holloman AFB, N.M.
8. May 2007–September 2007, Student, F-22A Initial Qualification Training, Tyndall AFB, Fla.
9. September 2007–July 2009, F-22A Mission Commander, Chief of Wing Training, Assistant Director of Operations, Langley AFB, Va.
10. August 2009–June 2010, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. July 2010–June 2011, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. August 2011–November 2012, Chief, Commander’s Action Group, U.S. Air Forces Central, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
13. November 2012–February 2014, Chief of Safety, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
14. February 2014–May 2015, Commander, 3rd Operations Support Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
15. July 2015–June 2016, Student, The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
16. June 2016–July 2018, Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander United Nations Command / U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Army Garrison, South Korea
17. August 2018–July 2019, Commander, 57th Adversary Tactics Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
18. July 2019–July 2020, Vice Commander, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.
19. July 2020–July 2022, Commander, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
20. August 2022–September 2023, Inspector General, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
21. September 2023–December 2023, Deputy Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
22. December 2023–present, Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2016–July 2018, Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander United Nations Command / U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Army Garrison, South Korea, as a colonel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: command pilot
Flight hours: more than 2,100
Primary aircraft flown: T/AT-38, F-16C/D, F-117A, F-22A
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
(Current as of January 2024)