Lt Col Ryan P. Coughlan is currently the Commander, Air Force ROTC Detachment 550 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. He is responsible for leading, mentoring, and developing future Air Force officers while overseeing all training, operations, and strategic initiatives of the unit.

Lt Col Coughlan entered the Air Force in 2008 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He has held leadership positions within the aircraft maintenance and acquisitions career fields where he performed various duties in support of C-17, KC-10, MQ-9, MC-130H/J, RQ-4, and U-2 aircraft. He has deployed to various locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism and combat operations to include Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedoms Sentinel. Lt Col Coughlan holds a Practitioner Certification in Program Management and a Foundational Certification in Lifecycle Logistics.

EDUCATION
2008 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bridgewater State University, MA
2008 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Sheppard AFB, TX
2013 Master of Arts in Homeland Security, American Military University, VA
 

ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 2008 – 2010, Sortie Support Flight Officer in Charge; Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer in Charge, 305th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, McGuire AFB, NJ (2009: Deployed to Al Dhafra AB, UAE as Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer in Charge)
2. 2010 – 2011, Maintenance Flight Commander, 819th Global Support Squadron, McGuire AFB, NJ
3. 2011 – 2013, Low Profile Parachute Program Manager, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
4. 2013 – 2014, MQ-9 Ground Stations Program Manager, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
5. 2014 – 2017, Maintenance Operations Flight Commander; Maintenance Flight Commander; MC-130 Aircraft Maintenance Unit Officer in Charge, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan
6. 2017 – 2018, Maintenance Operations Officer in Charge, 9th Maintenance Group, Beale AFB, CA
7. 2018 – 2020, Director of Operations, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale AFB, CA (2018: Deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar as Director of Operations)
8. 2020 – 2023, Commander, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale AFB, CA
9. 2023 – 2025, Chief of Logistics and Deputy Product Support Manager, Rapid Sustainment Office, Wright-Patterson AFB OH
10. 2025 – Present, Professor of Aerospace Science and Commander, AFROTC Detachment 550, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters