COL Nicholas Ryan
Colonel Nicholas D. Ryan is the Director of the Army Capability Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ACM-UAS) at Fort Novosel, Alabama, within the Aviation Capabilities Development Integration Directorate (AvCDID), Futures and Concepts Center, Army Futures Command. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation Branch. After attending the Officer Basic Course and Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, he became an Aviation Officer and CH-47 Pilot.
Over his career, COL Ryan has completed operational assignments and deployments to South Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe. From 2003 to 2006, he was a Headquarters Platoon Leader, Flight Platoon Leader, Battalion S2, and Assistant Battalion S3 in the 2-52 Aviation Regiment, 17th Aviation Brigade at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. From 2007 to 2010, he was the D Company Commander, Battalion S4, and Battalion Assistant S3 for the 2-4 General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas, and deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. From 2011-2015 he was the Brigade Aviation Officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, the Battalion S3 for 2-501st Aviation Regiment, 1AD Combat Aviation Brigade, and the Brigade S3 for the 1AD Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas. From 2020-2022 he was the Battalion Commander of the 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas and deployed to Europe for Operation Atlantic Resolve.
COL Ryan has completed numerous broadening assignments in support of the US Army. From 2015-2016 he was an Aviation Observer, Coach, and Trainer for the Mission Command Training Program in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From 2016-2018 he was the Command Inspector General for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From 2018-2020 he was the J3 Aviation Officer for Joint Task Force North, United States Northern Command, in Fort Bliss, Texas.
He has attended Professional Military Education at the Aviation Captains Career Course, Army Command and General Staff College, Kansas State University, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and the National War College, with Master of Science degrees in Adult Education and National Security Strategy.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal for Valor, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, Senior Aviator Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
COL Ryan is a native of Espanola, New Mexico. He is married to LTC Lindsay Ann Ryan, from Buffalo, New York, who is also an active duty US Army Aviator. They have been married for 15 years and have three children together: Jordynn (11), Jacob (9), and Jessica (8).
