Ronald Todd Lanman

COLONEL RONALD TODD LANMAN
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

THE JOURNEY TO USAFA
Ronald "Ron" Todd Lanman was born on November 1, 1936, in Lexington, Kentucky. Blessed with a sharp analytical mind and a strong desire to serve his country, Ron secured a coveted appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy. He reported to the temporary Academy site at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver on July 11, 1955, entering with the historic, pioneering Class of 1959. As a member of Cadet Squadron 7, Ron was known by his classmates for his steady leadership, maturity, and intellect. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree on June 3, 1959, ready to take to the skies.

MILITARY SERVICE & FLIGHT CAREER
Following graduation, Ron completed primary and basic pilot training at Moore Air Force Base and Craig Air Force Base between 1959 and 1960. He spent his early operational years during the height of the Cold War flying strategic refueling missions. From 1960 to 1964, he served with the 380th Air Refueling Squadron at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York, where he also completed Squadron Officer School in 1961.

As the Vietnam War escalated, Ron transitioned to the KC-135 Stratotanker, flying vital combat support missions with the 7th Air Refueling Squadron out of Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, with frequent forward deployments to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand. Between 1970 and 1971, he served directly in the theater of operations as a military advisor to the South Vietnamese Air Force with the 5th Air Division at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam—a tour that earned him the Bronze Star and five Air Medals.

Returning stateside, Lanman’s expertise in strategic refueling brought him to Headquarters USAF at the Pentagon as an Advanced Tanker Monitor. Following a faculty assignment at the Armed Forces Staff College in the late 1970s, he returned to operational leadership as the Deputy Commander for Operations for the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. He finished his highly distinguished 34-year military career in high-level strategic commands in Washington D.C., serving as the Deputy Director of Strategic Force Analysis at Headquarters USAF and ultimately as the Principal Deputy Director for the Center for Command, Control, and Communications (C3) Systems at the Defense Communications Agency.

Upon retiring from the Air Force as a Colonel, Ron completely pivoted his focus to serving his community. For nearly a decade (1991 to 1998), he brought his analytical mind to the classroom, inspiring youth as a mathematics teacher at Garfield High School in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Driven by a deep and abiding faith, he later answered a call to formal ministry. He became a licensed local pastor within the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, faithfully shepherding congregations at Atlantic United Methodist Church on the Eastern Shore and later at Asbury United Methodist Church in Nokesville.

Throughout his life's journey across the cockpit, classroom, and pulpit, the true loves of Ron’s life are his wife, Judy, and their beloved children and grandchildren.

SERVICE HISTORY, EDUCATION, & AWARDS
EDUCATION
• U.S. Air Force Academy – BS, 1959
• Squadron Officer School (SOS) – 1961
• Armed Forces Staff College – Graduate
• National War College

MEDALS AND AWARDS
Award Quantity
Defense Superior Service Medal 1
Legion of Merit 1
Bronze Star Medal 1
Defense Meritorious Service Medal 1
Meritorious Service Medal 2
Air Medal 5

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
Years Duty Location / Unit
1959–1960 Pilot Training Moore AFB, TX / Craig AFB, AL
1960–1964 Pilot 380th Air Refueling Squadron, Plattsburgh AFB, NY
1964–1968 Pilot (KC-135) 7th Air Refueling Squadron, Carswell AFB, TX (Deployed: Kadena AB, Japan & Utapao AB, Thailand)
1970–1971 Advisor South Vietnam Air Force, 5th Air Division, Tan Son Nhut AB
1972–1976 Advanced Tanker Monitor Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
1977–1980 Faculty Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
1980–1982 Deputy Commander for Operations 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, ND
1982–1986 Deputy Director Strategic Force Analysis, Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
1986–1989 Principal Deputy Director Center for C3 Systems, Defense Communications Agency, Arlington Hall Station, VA
1991–1998 Mathematics Teacher Garfield High School, Woodbridge, VA
2004–2006 Pastor Atlantic United Methodist Church, Atlantic, VA
2007–2009 Pastor Asbury United Methodist Church, Nokesville, VA