Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans is the Commander, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 18th Wing, the largest combat wing in the U.S. Air Force, provides the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, trained and equipped tactical air superiority forces; combat search and rescue forces; command and control platforms; aeromedical evacuation capability; and global mobility resources for contingency operations. The Wing flies the F-15C/E, F-22, F-35, KC-135, HH-60 and E-3 aircraft. Additionally, the Wing provides the 5th Air Force Commander a responsive, staging and operational air base with integrated, deployable, forward-based air power.
Previously, Brig. Gen. Evans served as Executive Assistant to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), responsible for operational and administrative support to the PACAF Commander. Evans has five additional assignments in the Indo-Pacific, including Commander of the 613th Air Operations Center in Hawaii, as well as Group and Squadron Commands in South Korea. He also served as the Director of the Commander’s Action Group for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Brig. Gen. Evans was commissioned in 1999 upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a command pilot with over 2,400 hours in the F-16 and F-35, and he is a graduate of the USAF F-16 Weapons Instructor Course. In 2017, he completed a PhD in Military Strategy through the U.S. Air Force’s School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelors of Science in Military History, United States Air Force Academy, Colo.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 F-16 Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2009 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., correspondence
2010 Master of Science in Aerospace Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2012 Master of Arts in Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., correspondence
2013 Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Doctor of Philosophy in Military Strategy, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 Joint Professional Military Education-Phase 2, Joint Forces Staff College Satellite Course, Norfolk, Va.
2021 Executive Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1999 - March 2001, Student Pilot, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin AFB, Texas
2. March 2001 - February 2002, Student Pilot, F-16 Basic Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
3. March 2002 - November 2004, Chief of Training, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
4. November 2004 - June 2005, Chief of Wing Training, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 388th Operational Spt Sq, Hill AFB, Utah
5. June 2005 - July 2007, Flight Commander, F-16 Instructor Pilot, 310th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
6. July 2007 - December 2007, F-16 Weapons Instructor Course Student, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
7. January 2008 - June 2008, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, ROK
8. June 2008 - January 2009, Chief, Wing Weapons and Tactics, 8th Operational Support Squadron, Kunsan AB, ROK
9. February 2009 - July 2011, Chief of F-16 Programs, F-16 OT&E SEFE, 85th Test & Evaluation Sq, Eglin AFB, Fla.
10. August 2011 - June 2012, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
11. June 2012 - August 2013, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
12. September 2013 - May 2016, Commander and Director of Operations, 36th Fighter Sq, Osan AB, ROK
13. June 2016 - May 2017, Lorenz Fellow, PhD Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
14. May 2017 - June 2019, Director, Commander's Action Group, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii
15. July 2019 - June 2020, Commander, 8th Operations Group, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea
16. June 2020 – August 2022, Commander, 613th Air Operations Center, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
17. August 2022 – July 2023, Executive Assistant to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Hickam AFB, Hawaii
18. July 2023 – Present, Commander, 18th Wing, Kadena AB, Japan
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 2,400
Aircraft flown: F-35, F-16C/D, T-38, T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant, 2 June 1999
First Lieutenant, 2 June 2001
Captain, 2 June 2003
Major, 1 January 2009
Lieutenant Colonel, 1 November 2012
Colonel, 1 June 2018
Brigadier General, 23 January 2024
(Current as of January 2024)