Lt. Col. Daniel Harder is the Deputy Commander for the 624th Regional Support Group, Air Force Reserve Command’s largest reserve group (wing equivalent) in the Pacific, headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. He commands a diverse group of over 650 logistics, civil engineering, personnel and medical support Airmen strategically situated across the Indo-Pacific. He shapes the 624th Regional Support Group’s strategic vision and operational execution, directs planning resources, monitors mission effectiveness, ensures compliance with policy, and drives combat readiness in the largest and most dynamic combatant command.
Lt. Col. Harder received his commission from the University of Colorado in 2005, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Business Administration. His career began as a Logistics Readiness Officer at the 452d Logistics Readiness Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California, where he managed all seven Air Force logistics flights. Additionally, Lt. Col. Harder deployed with two KC-135 Tanker Task Forces to lncirlik Air Base, Turkey, as the task force’s Mobility Officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Subsequently, Lt. Col. Harder joined the 302d Logistics Readiness Squadron as the Flight Commander for both the transportation and material management flights. He later deployed to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic, as the A4 Director of Logistics for the 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron, supporting over 2,300 Joint Expeditionary Tasked and Individual Augmentee Airmen serving jointly at over 90 locations throughout Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Returning from deployment, Lt. Col. Harder was handpicked to serve in the Wing Inspector General's office, first leading the Inspections Cell, developing processes that ensured compliance and resulted in two effective inspection ratings, then as the Wing Inspector General himself. He later served as a Squadron Operations Officer before assuming command of the 39th Aerial Port Squadron, honing his leadership and management skills in a dynamic operational environment.
Prior to his current assignment, Lt. Col. Harder served as a Warfighter Exercise Planner to INDOPACOM J71 Staff, responsible for planning, executing and controlling various complex large-scale exercises across the spectrum of joint and multinational allied and partner operations throughout the Indo-Pacific theater. This role involved extensive coordination with joint services, allied and partner nations, enhancing interoperability and regional security cooperation throughout the world’s largest combatant command.
EDUCATION
2005 Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Economics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
2006 Basic Logistics Officer Course, San Antonio, Texas
2006 Air and Space Basic Course (In Residence), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Reserve Officer Development Education Course, Phase 1&2, Lackland AFB, Texas
2011 Installation Deployment Officer Course, Fort Dix, N.J.
2011 Reserve Component Joint Officer Professional Development Course, Washington D.C.
2014 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Air Command & Staff College Online Master's Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Squadron Commander’s Course, Warner Robbins AFB, Ga.
2024 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2024 Advanced Logistics Readiness Officers Course, Fort Lee, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2005 – January 2007, Material Management & Fuels Management Flight Commander, 452d Logistics Readiness Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.
2. January 2007 – January 2008, Transportation Flight Commander, 452d LRS, March ARB, Calif.
3. January 2008 – October 2008, Installation Deployment Officer, 452d LRS, March ARB, Calif.
4. October 2008 – January 2011, Transportation Management Flight Commander, 302d LRS, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
5. January 2011– March 2012, Materiel Management Flight Commander, 302d LRS, Peterson AFB, Colo.
6. March 2012 – October 2012, Director of Logistics, 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Manas Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic
7. October 2012 – April 2016, Lead Logistics Evaluator (IGI), 302d Airlift Wing Inspection Team, Peterson AFB, Colo.
8. April 2016 – December 2018, Wing Inspector General, 302d Airlift Wing Complaints Resolution, Peterson AFB, Colo.
9. December 2018 – June 2019, Director of Operations, 39th Aerial Port Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
10. June 2019 – May 2022, Commander, 39th APS, Peterson AFB, Colo.
11. May 2022 – February 2025, Warfighter Exercise Planner, INDOPACOM J71 Staff, Camp Smith, Hawaii
12. February 2025 – present, Deputy Commander, 624th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device and “M” device
Air Force Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 19, 2005
First Lieutenant May 19, 2007
Captain May 19, 2009
Major Oct. 1, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 14, 2021
(Current as of August 2025)