Col. Gregory R. Bodenstein is the Commander of the Air Force Security Forces Center, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He directs the day-to-day operations of the center and its four directorates. AFSFC executes the organizing, training and equipping of more than 38,000 security forces members in the active and air reserve component.
The organization is cross-functional, manned by security forces, intelligence, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, explosive ordnance disposal, medical, scientific, communications, engineering, logistics and acquisition program management personnel. Its mission includes the capability to rapidly identify and prove the worth of innovative force protection initiatives that improve Department of the Air Force mission execution and joint warfighting capability. In addition to the headquarters in San Antonio, the colonel also supervises three geographically separated Air Force detachments: Desert Defender Ground Combat Readiness Training Center at Fort Bliss, Texas, and corrections facilities located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Prior to his current position, he was the Commander, 37th Training Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
Bodenstein earned his commission in 2002 after completing Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He served in various positions in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the United States, including Flight Leader, Section Commander, Operations Officer, Executive Officer, Staff Officer, and Squadron Commander.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Mich.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2005 Master of Arts, Public Administration, Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2009 Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Quantico, Va.
2011 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2015 Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va.
2016 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2024 Master of Science, National Security Strategy, The National War College, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2002–May 2005, Flight Leader, 56th Security Forces Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (August 2004-March 2005, Flight Commander, 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Manas Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic)
2. June 2005–June 2008, Operations Officer, 48th Security Forces Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom (May 2006-November 2006, Staff Officer, Task Force 134, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq) (February 2007-October 2007, Team Chief, Tikrit and Al Alam District Police Transition Team, 732d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Tikrit, Iraq)
3. June 2008–March 2009, Executive Officer, 48th Mission Support Group, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
4. July 2009–November 2009, Chief, Training and Resource Branch, 5th Air Force, Yokota AFB, Japan
5. November 2009–June 2012, Chief, Integrated Defense Policy and Guidance Cell, HQ Air Force Security Forces Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
6. June 2012–June 2014, Commander, 902d Security Forces Squadron, JB San Antonio-Randolph, Texas
7. July 2014–June 2015, Student, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va.
8. July 2015–June 2017, Commander, 19th Security Forces Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
9. July 2017–July 2019, Commander, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Minot AFB, ND.
10. August 2019–June 2021, Chief, Integrated Defense Branch, Air Force Security Forces Directorate, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. (November 2021-May 2022, Commander, 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, Manda Bay, Kenya)
11. June 2021–July 2023, Executive Officer, Air Force Security Forces Directorate, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
12. July 2023–June 2024, Student, National War College, National Defense University, Ft. Mc Nair, Washington D.C.
13. July 2024–June 2026, Commander, 37th Training Group, JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
14. June 2026–Present, Commander, Air Force Security Forces Center, JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 United States Air Forces Europe Billy Jack Carter Award
2007 48th Fighter Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year
2013 Air Education and Training Command’s Best Medium Security Forces Unit
2015 Air Mobility Command’s Best Medium Security Forces Unit
2015 Air Force’s Best Medium Security Forces Unit
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 24, 2002
First Lieutenant May 24, 2004
Captain May 24, 2006
Major March 1, 2012
Lieutenant Colonel February 1, 2017
Colonel July 1, 2023
(Current as of July 2026)