Colonel Edward Romero is the Commander, 56th Maintenance Group, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. He commands the Air Force’s largest fighter maintenance group, leads over 3,000 Airmen, allied and partner nation military members, civilians and contractors. His group provides safe reliable maintenance for over 150 F-35 and F-16 aircraft and accompanying support equipment worth over $11B.
Colonel Romero enlisted in the Air Force in 1988 as an F-15C Aerospace Propulsion Specialist at Soesterberg Air Base, the Netherlands, and was commissioned in 2004 through the Air Force’s Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He is an experienced Aircraft Maintenance Officer who has served in various fighter maintenance leadership positions in Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, and United States Central Command and is a graduated squadron and deputy group commander. Prior to his current position, he was the Deputy Chief, F-35 Logistics and Sustainment Division, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
Colonel Romero has held various maintenance assignments supporting the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35 and C-130. He is a graduate of the Air Force’s Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School. Finally, he has supported operations DESERT STORM, JOINT ENDEAVOR, ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Science, Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
2005 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2005 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2010 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Maintenance Officer Intermediate Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2012 Master of Science, Management, University of Management & Technology, Arlington, Va.
2012 Combat Support Course, Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2017 Master of Science, Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
2018 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2019 Jet Engine Mishap Investigation Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2023 Advanced Logistics and Technology Program, University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School
2024 Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1989 – April 1992, Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, 32nd Tactical Fighter Group, Soesterberg Air Base, the Netherlands
2. April 1992 – April 1997, Aerospace Propulsion Technician, 654th Combat Logistics Support Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla.
3. April 1997 – April 2001, Non-Prior Service Recruiter, 333rd Recruiting Squadron, Tampa, Fla.
4. April 2001 – August 2004, Officer Accessions Recruiter, 333rd Recruiting Squadron, Miami Lakes, Fla.
5. August 2004 – November 2004, Officer Training School, Trainee, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
6. December 2004 – March 2005, Student, Aircraft Maintenance Officer School, Sheppard AFB, Texas
7. March 2005 – January 2006, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer in Charge, 355th AMXS, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
8. January 2006 – August 2006, Assistant Maintenance Operations Officer, 355th CMS, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
9. August 2006 – February 2007, Executive Officer, 355th Maintenance Group, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
10. February 2007 – June 2008, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer in Charge, 355th AMXS, Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz.
11. June 2008 – May 2010, Propulsion Branch Chief/Operations Officer, Personnel Exchange Program, Chilean AF, Santiago, Chile
12. May 2010 – June 2011, Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer in Charge, 757th AMXS, Nellis AFB, Nev.
(February 2011 – June 2011, Maintenance Operations Officer, 386th EAMXS, Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait)
13. June 2011 – March 2012, Quality Assurance OIC, 57th Maintenance Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
14. March 2012 – June 2012, Graduate Student, Advanced Maintenance Munitions Officer School, Nellis AFB, Nev.
15. June 2012 – September 2012, Maintenance Operations Officer, 57th Maintenance Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.
(September 2012 – July 2013, Chief, Strategic Engagement Branch, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan)
16. September 2013 – April 2014, Maintenance Operations Officer, 318th Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
17. April 2014 – July 2016, Director of Operations, 318th Training Squadron, Inter-American Air Forces Academy, JBSA, Texas
18. July 2016 – June 2017, Graduate Student, National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
19. June 2017 – June 2018, Commander, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
20. June 2018 – July 2020, Commander, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.
21. August 2020 – June 2023, Deputy Group Commander, 33d Maintenance Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
22. June 2023 – May 2024, Graduate Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
23. June 2024 – July 2025, Deputy Chief, F-35 Logistics and Sustainment, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
24. July 2025 – Present, Commander, 56th Maintenance Group, Luke AFB, Ariz.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 Lance P. Sijan Award, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla.
2017 AETC Maintenance Effectiveness Award, Small Aircraft Maintenance Category, 56th CMS, Luke AFB, Ariz.
2014 Inter-American Air Forces Academy Company Grade Officer of the Year, JBSA, Texas
2011 Company Grade Officer of the Year, 57th Maintenance Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2011 General Leo Marquez Award, 57th Maintenance Group, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2010 Maintenance Professional of the Year, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2010 Aircraft Maintenance Unit of the Year, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, Nev.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe & Powerplant Licenses
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant November 10, 2004
First Lieutenant November 10, 2006
Captain November 10, 2008
Major March 01, 2015
Lieutenant Colonel August 01, 2019
Colonel April 01, 2025
(Current as of July 2025)